The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1891-11-17

This monument is erected to record an event
OF sixty years ago--the introduction OF the
steam engine as q means o. transportation OF
passengers and freight in the STATE Of New
Jersey, and almost the earliest in the United
made regardless of waterways.
The earlier routes of transportation were
laid out SO as to secure the shortest distance
between waterways. The line of which this
short line formed q part was to cover the space
between the cities of New York and Philadel-
phia that could not be passed by water. a
canal between the rivers Rar1tan ana Della
ware was chartered at the same time. The
transportation of freight not requiring quick
movement that was forced upon the rail route
during the Winter months was returned to
the natural water routes and via the canal
when navigation opened. 1t was not long be-
tore It was seen that for quick transportation
OF both passenger and freight the water COM
munfcation must be abandoned as far as pos
sibIe throughout the whole year, ana that
only slow freight movement could be contin-
ued on the water routes
and the Delaware and Rar1tan Canal company
were, at the outset, rivals. separated they
would have crippled each other, and almost
Immediately after their organization they
were united under the name OF "The Joint
Companies As early as 1882 1t was seen that
the waterways, in connection with passenger
travel, must give way to an all rail route, ana
the New Jersey Railroad and Transportation
companys line was chartered, forming with
the Camden and Amboy Railroad branch, sub
sequently chartered, an all rail line between
Jersey City and Camden throughout the en-
tire year, with ferries at either end. Even
these were too slow, and the line from Tren-
ton to Philadelphia, known as the Philadel-
Operated pr ted by the he 81 oInfS Companies These
lines from the period oftheir commencement
to this time, have held an advanced position
in the internal improvements OF the country
1t cannot be SAID that railroads have super
seeded rivers ana canals, or have done away
with lake transportation, but they have en-
abled all parts OF the country to be reached,
and by far the greater part OF the interior
states would have remained undeveloped nau
not the steam engine for transportation been
utilized.
ginning OF that system inaugurated IN 1881.
II is not improper to mention those who, by
their counsel and means, originated and de-
veloped these works. Their names recall
those most active in the affairs OF state, as well
a. in internal improvements to whom New
Jersey ia largely indebted for the advanced
position she holds among the states.
This granite monument, the memorial OF the
commencement OF the work that has devel-
Oped into the magnificent corporation known
as the United New Jersey kalroao ana Canal
com pany, is placed here as the act of another
corporation, the peer OF any other of Its kind,
whose name is known far and wide as the rep
resentatiye OF progress, whose lines are In
ferior to none other in the world, whose credit
stands high, and whose management, nom
the highest TO the humblest, is endeavoring to
advance the comfort ana welfare OF those Win
whom 1t comes In contact.
AS chief officer of the Pennsylvania Railroad
company in New Jersey, in their name 1 &C.
cent the trust implied by the erection OF this
monument and 1t will be q matter OF honor.
able pride to emulate those who tnaugurated
and carried on these works as here commem
grated
The presentation was made IN an adj
dress by Assistant Engineer Joseph 4
Richards. in which he formally trans
ferred the monument to the custody o.
the United New Jersey Railroads and Ca
nal companies. He said
we are assembled here today 10 give his
tory TO a Leaf. 1t is quite unusual 10 see &c
| tive managing railroad men stop In the WORK
which has been assigned to them to take the
time to record or mark In history any OF tneli
deeds.
| the acts OF wisdom OF great statesmen, and
| the memories of the martyrs ana the Saints
marble or upon The painted canvas few at
tempts have been made TO preserve In a like
manner the record OF the achievements OF the
4 ed so materially in the worlds progress. II
| is in degree, to do justice to the memories
| OF these, and TO recall the acts of the Other
nnbIicspirited men who initiated the railroad
era upon this continent, that we are assem-
| bIed upon this historic ground to-day.
| 1t Is my task to-day simply TO place upon
record the circumstances that led up to the
| erectfon of this simple cube OF stone, embei
ished by bronze tablet bearing an appro
some Years ago the United States Railroad
Historian, j. Elfreth Watkins, of the Smith
| attention TO the fact thatat this location The
| first piece OF railroad track was laid In th'
state OF New Jersey. In TACT, 1t was one O
the first pieces of track laid on any part OF tn.
vast system of lines now owned, leased and
1 operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad com
pany 1t was laid during the year 1881, ant
on November 18th, of that year, the Engllsl
engine - ohm BuIlv made It's hrst trial trii
for the purpose Of demonstrating g the sams
faction OF the governor, members q tnF 1es
islature and other public men Of the state o
New Jersey thata steam engine would han
cars OF passengers and freight on railroad
as was claimed by the railroad mea, and whs
then asked of the state authorities the i1gh
to operate locomotives for this purpose.
The governor, legislators and Others, witt
their good wives, came from Trenton ant
elsewhere In carriages, and located them
selves at the appointed hour along this turn
pike and on yonder overhead bridge to wit
ness what many "doubting Thomas
Upon this history i would not dwell, as an
other. a historian, VIII inform You OF thes
matters more fully. SO 1t simply remains TO
me to call attention TO the duties performer
by me in the constr ction OF this m0numen
Shortly after Mr.. Watkins had called our al
tention to this historical fact, a few OF II
were fortunate enough TO secure the co-opera
who Is much Interested in these ceremonies
He had assisted on the Camden and Ambo
railroad as mechanic when oply 20 years 0
age.
/. When the "John Bul1p arrived he put tc