Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1890-03-08

elegduJ extract HUH d pIiNdtc lcllci
received Thursday from Kansas city
(Mo.) lady, and it is commended to the
thoughtful consideration of every fogy
who contends that canal transporta-
ton has served its day and generation :
Since commenced writing this letter the
JOURNAL has arrived That lower House of
your Legislature voted to give the canal away
Surely your representatives have not studied
the trend of public thought The burning
question of the hour in all lines of business is
how shall we curb the arrogance and limit
the exactions of the railroads? And the con
clusion is as general as it is emphatic-that
the only feasible plan in sight is to restore
water transportation. This is speedily to be
put in motion in the South and West There
is a great syndicate going to put "a fleet OF
boats in the spring OH the rivers to ply be-
tween Pittsburg, Pa, and Omaha, and Il
Kansas city syndicate of local capitalists will
establish packet line from Kansas city to
St. Louis. The first boat is to be delivered to
the latter the first of next month.
Corn is selling in Kansas for 10 cents a
bushel and everything else down IN proper
ton. Something had to be done, and done
quickly. The Santa Fe railroad encompasses
the State like the folds of an anaconda, and is
gradually squeezing the life out of the 'srm-
ing interests. The only salvation nv the
Western people is to to take to then 'sers,
and with true Western pluck they are max
ing the plunge. In five years every river
from the lakes to the Gulf will be covered
with fleets of boats.
1t seems incredible that a great State like
Maryland should even emtertain the idea at
this particular time of abandoning water
transportation when business of all kinds is
depressed under the heel of the great corpora
tons. The railroads, with their watered stock
to maintain, have exacted tribute of every
man, woman and child in the country.
And who, pray, are to be the benetlciaries of
that five or ten million gift of those Solons in
your Legislature? Blaine, German, Elkins,
Davis, and last, but not least-tell it not in
Gath, nor publish it on the streets of Askalon J!
our own Chevalier Bayard! When the
deed is done, if ever, your artisans and labor
ers, like the Huguenots of France after the
massacre of st. Bartholomew. will have to
take their Drawn and muscle, their skill and
intelligence to more favorable climes, and as
sist to build up other prosperous commun-
tiles. Then, indeed will desoation blight
language of one of Maryland's own patriots
those that are left will have to ''sit on their
barren rocks and gnaw their workless ting-
ers !'' This is no pessimistic view of the sit
uation it is sober fact. Your canal restored
and properly managed, will always be a
leveler of rates. Instead of selling it the
State should hold it as a reserve force to re-
pei railroad Innovations, consultations and
eXactions.
1t is said corporations have no souls" yet
they are managed by human beings. His
tory does not record one of many that have
been given great power that did not abuse
it, and always to the detriment of the pro
dent of history will observe that civilization
always follows the lines Of great waterways
What gives Great Britain its pre-emineuce in
the community of nations? Environed by
the great seas, its people early had the fore
sight to utilize them to their enrichment and
advancement until their wealth and power
dominated the world. Look at the CONNER
cial revolution occasioned by the opening Of
the Suez canal. The benefits bestowed there
by upon the producing elements of Britain
and France, to say nothing of other great
countries, are incalculable, and that narrow
canal day, like the broad oceans is reckon
ed by the world as a highway Of nations
What is the matter with our American
people anyhow? Are they money-mad? II
seems that as soon as one is elected to public
office, be it high or low, he is up for sale tC
the highest bidder
Now, readers, how strangeit appears
that we are about abandoning water
transportation just as the people in the
West are returning to it.
Fortunately for them they have
navigable rivers TO help them out.
Unfortunately forus, when the canal
bed is occupied by a railroad, the
means of water transportation are
forever gone.