Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-22
Publisher and PrOPrioto
RAILROADING In CHINA.

From the Chicago Inter-0cean.l
A few years ago some English
capitalists bought a strip of land be-
tween Shanghai and Woo-Sung,
China, and constructed thereon a
railroad nine miles in length. This
represents the entire railroad sys-
tenn Of the people who built the
great wall, aud who will keep in re-
pair the grand canal. Ever since
1850 efforts have been made to in
duce the Chinese government to
permit the introduction of railroads
and telegraphs, but all attempts ex-
cept two ended in failure During
the war in Formosa a short tele-
graph line was constructed by the
yiceroy of Fuh-keen, but his action
was disapproved by the imperial
government. The railroad from
Shanghai to Woo-Sung was con
structed in the face of government
opposition. The company first
bought the land, concealing the
character of the enterprise, and then
securing the influence Of the for
eign ministers, pushed the road to
completion.
1t was argued that if the roalroad
was once in successful operation the
Celestials would be quick to see the
advantages and, flaming into a fire.
cracker enthusiasm, they would
proceed to build railroads inde6nite-
ly. The railroad was completed,
and much to the surprise Of the
Mandarins, there was no convulsion
of nature. The first train moved,
and there was distrust and excite
nent throughout the province, but
in time the people discovered that
the Fire Dragon didn't roam around
loose over the country, and after a
few experiments they acknowledged
a liking for rides in the Fire Drag
on's carriages. In a few months
the trains were crowded with pas
Sengers, and curious people came
from distant provinces to see the
wonder and to indulge in the lux
ury of a railroad ride.
The government took alarm.
The railroad was a foreign affair,
and was undermining the tradi-
tional policy of the empire. Itwas
unduly exciting the population, ,and
something must be done. The
yiceroy, Stimulating a liking for the
enterprise, purchased the right OF
way, the road material and the roll
ing stock. He is to take possession
Immediately, and lis semi-officially
announced that all traffic will be
stopped and the road be put under
guard. In other words, govern-
ment control of roads in China
means that the trains will cease
running; that the locomotives will
rust in the sheds; that the coaches
will fall TO pieces, and that the
rails win be stolen by the natives.
The curious fact about this trans,
action is that the hostility TO rail
roads is on the part Of the govern.
ment and the officials, and not on
the part of the common people
China stands still, not because hel
people will not move forward, but
because the government, fortified
by tradition, will not allow them
to.
A few years ago railroads were
introduced into Russia. The gov
ernment called for the most skilled
mechanics and engineers, and soor
! had thousands of miles of road in
operation. These have been ex.
tended far into Siberia, and a road
is in contemplation that will taT
the great channels of trade in
Northern China. In India the
British government is pushing rail
road construction and encouraging
the building of lines extending from
the coaet far into the interior. On
either side of China a great com
mcrcial power is doing all that can
be done to extend railroads. China
with her millions of busy people
clings to the past emblemed in thu
great wall and the grand canal
But can the government, by de
stroying a railroad, destroy the in
huence of the railroad on the peo
"A