Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-08-17
gsHiSffaIif Noflljaisst.
LETT Hf FROM cor EORADo.
Especial corsspOnisncs.l

away from tne neat OF tne OdpltOl duo
from following the routine proceedings Of
dilatory and incompetent Congress into
the free air of the West and the rapid
motion ofa railroad train. And 1t would
have been still more enjoyable had there
, been time tospend q few days by the way
in leisurely visiting Chicago and the 9TH
erwonders along the route. Yet no mat
ter how rapidly one travels, IL he is
of an inquiring turn, and accustomed to
keeping both eyes and ears open, he viii
see good deal and learn something Of
interest concerning the country through
which he passes. Perhaps the most de-
lightful railroad ride the writer ever en-
joyedi was that over the Chesapeake and
Ohio to Cincinnati-the new route to the
West Of which we have lately heard so
much The scenery OF this route sur
passes anything to be found east of Colo
RADIO. 1t is not only picturesque, but in
some instances grand, and the road is in
every way excellent, with all the i'm
proved facilities which renders travel
agreeablsand safe rel IlfM.
But We will not set out to eulogize the
railroads in general for many Of them
do not deserve it, and they are abundant
ly able To take care OF themselves. 1t is
dificultto travel in these days without
observing the enormous increase OF this
great interest and imbibing in some de-
gree a realizing of the importance
the railway problem IS assuming in our
political economy. 1t is only a question
of time when Congress will be compelled
to abandon its present slothful policy
with reference to the various phases OF
this subject and take up the cudgel OF
legislation in behalf Of the people.
While the railroads are among the lead
ing forces in the industrial development |
Of the country, the power which they
vest in the hands Of their controlling off,
cials Is dangerous one. and the tenden- |
cy to consolidation and combination,
which is becoming greater year by year, |
builds up monopolies which are the nat |
ural enemies end oppressers of the people.
They yearly grow more Indifferent to pub
lie opinion and independent Of the public |
welfare. The total earnings of all the
railroads Of the country for the year 1881 |
was $725, 900, ,00O,. or nearly double the to-
tai revenue of the United States Govern
ment Employed by all these roads are
over 100000 men. The power welded
by the united corporations controlling
such mighty force and possessing such
an enormous revenue will render them
well nigh independent OF laws and of the
men who are supposed to make them.
The rapidity with which new lines are
being constructed. especially in the West
is astonishing. During the first six
months of this year over 5000 miles of
track, have been laid in the United States
and it is estimated that more than that
number OF miles will be completed in the i
other six months. so that the total con-
struotion for the year will not fall much
short Of 1000 miles. Last year it was
9,S5S miles. There are now four through
lines between Chicago and Denver, all 1
most complete in their appointments and
magnificent highways in every respect
No fault can be found on that score. Bnt
one would naturally expect that SO much
competition would produce low rates as
well as luxurious accommodations. Yet
1t does not. The new line is no sooner
ready for business than it enters the old
combination, or ''pool" to keep the rates
up to a point of extortion, almost, and
aivlae : s., sne ! prOCeeos among themselves.
-ras S ha,a a.. :. sa nv laasels q 'nese lnes
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- not a,,onas ~ eAouisron paf'les
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ha,,n th,a o,,,,,,a ~. .o.I ooos' was at the
n,n,;a aont,aspsa psas ~ \. some respect Tor |
nstron. Trnde. sa ana sne iishss OF Its T
mart = ! asss.. ~ ps'sn' manage :
ana botb r,,Sl;o a.,;s q sns nog pan I
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