The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-24
THAT WONDERFUL HORSE.

world. But little over a halfcentury
ago was the first locomotive put
to moving, and it was doubt
ed whether railways would ever
be specially serviceable to the coun-
try. But within thirty years they
have added many billions to the |
wealth of this country, and their in
flHence upon other countries has
been as great as in this. Some years
ago, corn was used in the north.
western states as fuel; now the rail-
ways gather it from every point and
transport il to the hungry all over
the world. Before railways were
largely introduced vast amount of
surplus produce was absolutely
thrown away, and even yet this is
the case in sections where they have
not penetrated. Fifteen years ago
beeves were worth in Texas three
to five dollars per head, but now,
because railways may transport them
with dispatch to any portion OF the
country in fine condition, they are
worth from thirty to sixty dollars.
So values have been enhanced. Now
one may get on a railway train on
the Rio Grande and be in New York
III little over four days; may take
the train at Austin and by direct
route be in San Francisco in six
days. Speed, convenience and COM
fort have been extended the traYel-
err, and the expense of travel has
been cut down where competition
exists to a mere nominal figure. The
progress made in every feature of
the case is wonderful, and now
there has been a new
impetus to railway building by
which heretofore worthless Sec
ton of the North American CONT
| nent is to be reyOlutioniZed as the
great northwest was by the con-
struction of railways. In fact, when
we reflect that in 1880 there were
only ihirty-three miles of railway in
operation in the United States, it
may be understood that railway
progress is even now but fairly be-
gun. In 1910 there were 2SlS miles of
railway in operation i'll the
Union, in 1850 there were 9O22
| miles, and il is notable fact
that up TO this last date there was
not II complete fine of railway from
New York TO any state south of
North Carolina. In 1860 there were
3O,635 miles; in 1870, 1924 miles,
and in 1880, 1851 miles. In 1881
there were 1885, and at the present
rate of construction it may be safely
set down that in 1890 there will be
250,O00 miles in operation through
out the Union, connecting with So
600 miles more in the British pos.
sessions and in Mexico. The equip
ments ofthe railways in operation
in the United States in 1880 were {:
1919 engines, against 1860 in
1871, increase 6S per cent; 1879
passenger cars, against 1902 in 1871,
increase 81 per- cent 5S9, 349 freight
Cars, against III, 800 in 1871, increase
Sl4 per cent. The mileage in 1880
was 1851 /; in 1871, 6O,29S; increase
SO per cent. The cost of construc-
ton and equipment of these 103,-
600 miles was enormous. The fund
ed debt exceeds $2,000,0O0,OOO, and
the stock must be nearly half as
much. In carrying freight great
detection from the water lines to
the railroads has taken place. In
1880 the tonnage by water in
domestic trade did not reach $780,
600 tons, while that of the railways
was three times as much, being
about 100000 tons. Truly do we
live in an age OF progress rapid
age, in which men travel as does the
tornado; in which they interchange
the salutations of the day even on
opposite sides of the globe in which
the human voice with its intonations
may be conveyed over delicate
wire for a thousand miles; when
mechanism arouses the ightninigns,
beneath azure skies, to give per-
pctual light when the sun hides
away; when the printing press in
one short hour may be made to issue,
ready for the mail bags, thirty or
forty thousand perfectly printed
mammoth sheets; when ships cross
the Atlantic in seven days; when
the trottlDg horse goes at the rate of
thirty miles an hour-a rapid, fitting
age, wonderful in inventions and
discoveries pressed into speed and
activity of mind by the ever painting
iron horse, that revolutionizes mind
and matter, that propels the car of
civilization and progress, awakening
slumbering people and nations, that
causes the world to wipe the daze
from its vision.