Présentation de l'éditeur
The extent to which convenient facilities for such movements are furnished affects, in a large degree, the physical welfare of every human being. All progressive nations, therefore, desire to secure the advantages derived from superior systems of transportation. In accomplishing that object expensive and complicated labors must be performed. This necessity arises from the fact that while transportation may be conducted on land or water, the best results are not attainable unless large outlays are made for the improvement of roads and water-ways. The conditions under which the sums necessary to perfect these improvements are procured, and the characteristics of the improvements existing at different periods and in different sections, are so diversified that grave questions have arisen in regard to the selection of methods. All improvements substantially hinge on advances in the condition of the landor water-ways used, the vehicles or vessels employed, and the nature of the propelling or motive power adopted. This country has been prolific in variety of e.xperiments tried, in the rapidity of beneficial progress, and in useful results achieved. As the entire system is still in a transition state, and as every important expedient hitherto adopted is in practical use in some portion of the broad national domain, any veritable account of the past may furnish instructive illustrations of changes now progressing, and suggestions for the future guidance of individuals, corporations, communities, and public authorities. It is the object of this work to explain leading characteristics of the successive steps by which the canoe has been supplanted by the steamer, the trail by the T-rail, the pack-horse by the locomotive; and to furnish a comprehensive compendium of instructive transportation literature accumulated while railway mileage was expanding to its present huge
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)
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