Year: 1869

Ahc DCsc1uplHSNt Ol tuc HAcLEOpOtS-1ue


Demands of the Country.


If any one will take the trouble to examine
the geographical features of our Northeastern
States he will find that their peculiarties have
caused two separate developments Of trade
one OF these lying to the east the other to the
west of the Hudson river. New York, although
somewhat isolated, still belongs to the Eastern
system, for the reason thatits connections with
the East are more natural and complete,
taking into consideration the cost and facilities
of transportation, which, after all, are the
great principles that affect the value of any
locality with reference to the trade drainage
Of a country. Northeast of our city lie six
powerful States, more densely populated more
compact and financially powerful than any
equal area-aside from this emporium, which
is common property-in the United States.
For these States we are the clearing house in
their trade with the West and South. We
have, however, never done our duty towards
them; for we have failed to give them their
goods at the lowest price possible, owing to
our lack Of proper communication with the
western bank Of the Hudson. The same rule
applies to the great West which has suffered
in common with the East. Thus the Eastern
consumer Of agricultural and mineral products
has, with the Western producer, been paying
an enormous amount Of money annually on
account of the imperfect means of crossing the
Hudson, while the same rule has applied to
Was4arr conarmors of Ea utarn yra,rfac ct,ro,
To develop New York properly we want more
room. We cannot do great business If we are
80 jammed into the apex of a triangle as we are
here by the freight which now crowds upon us
from all directions. We must ship and tran
ship on the eastern and western sides OF the
island higher up, where nature has indicated
that we may branch out indefinitely. Lack or
foresight has already, in part, driven from us
some Of that great Western trade which we
might have centralized readily and conmodi-
ously here had we made use of engineering
science aud properly connected ourselves with
the West. Opposite to us, on the west bank
Of the Hudson, are seen hourishiny evidences
Of our overflow in trade, owing to our failure
" A@tsA4iiAbAAt@ ~ AZ 4iNANuCiu IdEt vi bIe
island. Had We offered this accommodation,
instead Of seeing large cities absorbing trade
on the opposite western shore, the business
would have been entirely centred on Manhat-
tan island, and its entire area would have pre-
sented one vast business locality, az IL its
southern extremity at present. The opposite
shores would then have been devoted to resi-
dences, much like the Brooklyn Of io-day. 1t
is question with those who look 10 the luture
| OF the country and the day when from five 70
ten millions Of people shall cluster around this
great national clearing house IL il is not better
| to commence at once the necessary engineering
works to make our communications with East.
West, North and South as complete as science
and wealth viii permit. No narrow views with
reference 10 our metropolitan development win
answer.


Great European cities have been governed
with reference TO the demands OF the whole ma
ton where they may be situated. The growth
Of New York, on the contrary, has been wild
and unframed. Efforts should be made
to make Manhattan island the commits
sion house Of the United States and Of the
world. That it can be done there is no doubt I;
for everything points in this direction. The
first great move, however, Is TO make more
perfect communication with the West. In this
view the project Of suspension bridge over
the Hudson at Fort Washington comes into


Doid relief az grand idea. IL is scarcely


possible 10 compute the vast trade that
must how across this bridge into the


northern part Of Now York city. II will be the
connection Of The Eas; with the West, and viii


break down ata blow that great barrier, the


Hudson, which has hitherto so hampersd our
trade II Is reliably computed tha. tho greater
! part Of hs ssAl consumed ia New England