Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-03-24
Eads, Shin Railroad.

Captain Eads the builder Of the st. Louis
bridge and the constructor of the jetties at
the mouth Of the Mississippi, is rcpresen-
tative American engineer. He is bold and
original in his designs, sure and pushing in
carrying them out. The great enterprises
with which his name is associated rank
among The first Of the many notable monu.
ments of engineering skill in this country.
OF the genuineness of his abilities and the
soundness of his judgment, the fact that
capital boldly follows his leadership is con-
elusive proof. Yet, when in opposition to
the plans for making a canal across the 18TH
mus of Panama, he preached a few weeks
since his scheme for transporting ships bod
lily from ocean to ocean on a railway spe-
cially constructed for this purpose, the idea
was generally regarded as too impracticable
TO engage serious attention. The project
was looked upon as one OF the vagaries OF
au oversanguine temperament that would
never be seriously proposed for earnest con-
sideration. But when, after the Count de
Lesseps had explained to congressional
committee his plans for the projected 18th
milan canal, Captain Eads came forward and
unfolded his project for a ship railway in
stead of the canal and presented the argu-
ments in its favor, former credulity began
to yield to the conviction that his plans are
entirely feasible, and will ultimately be re-
oorJad With Jao;o;,,a favor
Briefly outlined, his plan and argument is
as follows: He proposes to build railroad
with seven or eight tracks on which cars
shall carry ships of maximum size from
ocean to ocean at the rate of twelve miles
an hour. The advantages claimed for this
plan are, that the railroad can be built in
one-third or onefourth the time needed for
| the construction of the canal. Its capacity
could be increased indefinitely. The cost
of maintenance would be comparatively
small. The road could be operated at local-
ties where a canal is impracticable. It is
possible to estimate just what the railroad
will cost, which cannot be done for the
canal project. A ship railroad at the isthmus
costing $4,000 900 will do the work of a
canal costing s250,000,000. Very naturally,
the cheaper project would be preferred. A
bill is now pending in the house of represen-
tatives authorizing the formation of COM
pany to build this proposed ship railway.
Capital stands ready pledged to carry out
the project. Men are always more willing
to invest money in any enterprise the limits
of which can be defined, and which promises
returns within reasonable time. In this
particular Captain Eads' plans have the ad-
vantage, and indeed he seems to rely more
on the advantages he can show that pertain
to the railway, than on the obstacles that
attend the canal project, to attain his aim.
lie views the situation with complacent
confidence, is sure of the passage of the bill,
and is ready to commence work as soon as a
formal organization of his company can be
effected. He asserts with unqualified assur-
auce, that in less than six years he will take
the first ship from the Atlantic to the
Pacific. Chimerical as his scheme may
seem to the ordinary observer, projects that
were considered more visionary at their in.
ception, are now among the common places
of things achieved. The enterprise is purely
American in every respect. Americans will
build, own, operate, and control it. Amer-
can money will be spent in its construction,
and Americans will reap the benefits 20 be
derived from it. In this respect its success
would be a practical assertion of the
Monroe doctrine of far more potency than
presidential proclamations or congressional
bravado. Americans will bid godspeed to
such an enterprise, or any modification of it,,
that will insure success.