Year: 1867

Of all subjects appertalnlng to Amer
lean political economy, this one of the
highest Importance. In material pro-
gress the rapid and cheap transmission
of tonnage freight from the interior to
the Seaboard, and rice rerSd, the cOncen-
tratiOn of ponderous material for manu-
facture and distribution of manufactur-
ed articles involve results in the degree
of production to a greater extent than
other matters connected with the states
manship of the country. While agri-
culture is now crippled iii most parts OF
the Union, mining is so much paralyZed
in its developments that there are few
localities sufficiently favored for vigor-
oHs production. AS the case now stands
agriculture, mining and manufacturing,
as well as Interstate and foreign trade,
ale crying out for cheaper transporta-
tion.


We have had put into our hands two
pamphlets issued by the National Anti
monopoly Cheap Freight Railway
League" The avOwed objects of this
organization are, to cheaper railway
transit by new system in the man
agement of the railway, or in other
words to graduate the railway upon the
freight principle exclusively by adopt
ing moderate and uniform rates fspeed
for all trains, and to break down the
present monopoly of carrying by making
the freight thoroughiares common to all
other companies and persons choosing
to put on rolling stock and to transport
over them. 1t is estimated that more
than ten-fold can be added to the freight
CAPACITY of the roads as now operated
and that freights can be reduced to one
third or less of present charges. If
those propositions can be maintained,
they should command the united sup
port of all our people, and none should
be backward in demanding the early
adoption of the improved system and
nationalizing the plan. Among the nu
merous opinions of the press, We make
the following brief extracts:


[From the New York Evening Express


III these propositions can be main
tained, we are approaching an era in
the development of our resources that
will tend much to dispel the gloom and
forebodings that now hang on the pop
ular mind. Tho burdens of taxation
and the prospect of their continuance
can only be taken away by increased
productions; and any agency that can
be successfully employed to stimulate
and accelerate production will be hailed
with enthusiasm by all our people.


From the New York Stockholdcr.l


The bills now before Congress for the
establishment of cheap freight railways
on the anti-monopoly principle, are al
ready commanding the approval of
millions. We have alluded in
former articles to this plan. The sub
ject is now commanding attention
as q measure of Importance to the
country, and we take the liberty of lay
ing before our readers some details of
the plan, together with reflections upon
the results which may follow upon its
being carried into effect.
Such are the anticipated results of this,
the greatest of all economic propositions
which have fer q long period been
brought to the attention of the people
of the United States. 1t would be diff
ficult to go through with the reasonings
and calculations of the author of this
plan without being convinced of the
truthfulness of his propositions. We
are satisfied that this plan, which We
regard as one of the happiest concep-
tions of the day, will take stronger and
stronger hold of the public mind the
more 1t is examined, and we look with
entire confidence to its early adoption.
The bills before Congress combine ad-
yantages Of benefit and vigor never be-
fore suggested, nor is this their greatest
merit-the bills are drawn so as to make
the advantages acquired by the efficien-
CIV of the system Impartial ia their dis
tribatioR--BElNG FOUNDED ON THE M
MUTABIK BASIS OF JUSTICE.
From the Wisconsin State Journal


'The ayidity with
which the subject has been taken up by
members of Congress, as well as by the
press, would seem to indicate that the
lplan possesses extraordinary merit.
| IL the half of what is asserted he true,
then indeed hare the groWing Recessities o.
the nest found their soarce ofrelief.' If all
be- true, the bare knowledge of the fact
will have added a foarfk 10 the intrinsic
! raIae of Western lands, and the rule
would hold equally good in other parts
of our country" -,..5l 5Iass-i .tr.L


From the New York Tribune


"a plan which has thus promptly been
adopted by people of different sections