The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-24
George Il. Peck on Civilizing In
fIuence of Railroads.
Former Santa Fe Counsel Writes
of Their Importance.
THE NORTH AND SOUTH
Roads Have Helped to Reconcile
the Two Sections.
Develop Wealth, Stimulate In
dustry and Reward Labor.

George r. Peck, Es.of Kansas now
general counsel of the Chicago Mil
waukee & st. Paul road, was recently
asked by Chicago paper to contribute
an article on the civilizing influence of
railroads. The contributed article is
the following:
ut can not be doubted that railroads
are the most important, or at least one
huences in modern life. This is true in
the United States perhaps more than
In any other part of the world, although
everywhere the railway is a potent force
in the advancement of intelligence and
civilization. Our great trans-continent-
al roads have opened vast areas of coun-
try to settlement. and regions which 40
years ago were inhabited only by the
Indian and the buffalo are now the
homes of industrious, prosperous and
educated people Towns in the interior
OF the continent are placed in easy COM
nunieation with both oceans. The
wants and necessities of the people are
supplied. newspapers. magazines and
books are brought daily to their doors,
and, in short, all the appliances of civ
ihzation are placed within the reach
of every family in the land.
Much has been said recently, and
particularly within the last two years,
of the reconciliation and good under
standing between people north and
SOUTH
Every northern man who travels in
the south and every southern man who
tavelS in the north can bear witness to
the benign influence of railways in
bringing the two sections into closer re-
lattons. All history has shown that
civilization follows lines of communi-
cation The magnificent Roman roads,
penetrating all parts of the empire,
were the great civilizing influences of
antiquity. beg to quote-for the Ian
guage is far better than any can use
from an opinion delivered by Justice
Byron Paine of the supreme court of
Wisconsin in 1870 on the subject of
railroads. He said:
g They are the most marvellous inven-
ton of modern times They have done
more to develop the wealth and re-
sources, to stimulate the industry, re-
ward the labor and promote the general
comfort and prosperity of the country
than any other, perhaps than all other
mere physical causes combined. There
is probably not man, woman nor child
whose interest or comfort has not been
in some degree subserved by them
They bring to our doors the produc-
tons of the earth. They enable US to
anticipate ana protract the seasons
They enable the inhabitants of each
CLINE to enjoy the pleasures and lux
uries of ALL They scatter the produce
lions of the press and of literature
broadcast through the country with
amazing rapidity- There is scarcely a
want, wish or inspiration of the human
heart which they do not in some meas
ure help to crafty They promote the
pleasures of social life and of friend
ship; they bring the skilled physician
swiftly from a distance to attend the
sick and the wounded, and enable the
absent friend to be present at the bed
side of the dying. They have more
than realized the fabulous conception of
the eastern imagination, which pictured
the gerlii as transporting inhabited pal
aces through the air. They take a train
of inhabited palaces from the Atlantic
coast and with marvellous swiftness de-
posit it on the shores that are washed
by the Pacific sea- In war they trans
port the armies and supplies of the gov
eminent with the greatest CELEBRITY, and
carry forward, as it were, on the wings
of the wind, relief and comfort to those
who are stretched bleeding and wound
ed on the field of battle
This language is perfectly true and
it can be said without exaggeration that
it sums up the whole question of the
civilizing influence of railroads.