History of Springfield, Illinois, its attractions as a home and advantages for business, manufacturing, etc. Pub. under the auspices of the Springfield board of trade, by J. C. Power.

ITS ADVANTAGES FOR MANUFAOTURING, 29
ters to two companies between Alton and sixty-three sections, and fill thirty-two
Shawneetown was, that one might begin octavo pages. The object was to contat each end and work until they met, struct public improvements, in all parts
similar to the Central Pacific and Union of the State, at the expense of the State.
Pacifie. A board of three Fund Commissioners
The Caledonia Railroad Company, was created, to manage the finances;
with an authorized capital of $300,000, also, a Board of Public Works, consistwas chartered Jan. 21, 1836. ing of seven commissioners. The latter
Each and every company were author- board was authorized to employ engiized to lay either single or double tracks, neers, who were to lay out and superinand to propel their cars by steam, ani- tend all public works. The board was
mals or any mechanical power. On authorized and'required to adopt such
some of the roads the rate of toll was measures as might'be necessary to confixed, and provisions made for all per- struct and complete within a reasonable
sons to run their own vehicles, under length of time the following works.
regulations similar to those for boating The amount of money named in connecon canals. tion with each one, was appropriated
CANALs. from the State treasury to defray the
Canals received the attention of the expense
law-makers also. An act was passed and 1. The improvement of the navigation
approved Feb. 10, 1835, authorizing the of the Great Wabash River, $100,000;
State to construct the Illinois and Mich- provided a similar amount was expended
igan Canal, in which the Governor was for the same purpose, by the State of
authorized and directed to negotiate Indiana.
a loan of $500,000, to commence the 2. The improvement of the navigation
work. of the Illinois River, $100,000.
January 9, 1836, the foregoing law was 3. The improvement of the navigation
repealed, and with some alterations was of Rock River, $100,000.
re-enacted. That, with the amendments 4. The improvement of the navigation
subsequently added, was the authority of the Kaskaskia River, $50,000.
under which the canal was built. 5. The improvement of the navigation
About this time laws were enacted for of the Little Wabash River, $50,000.
building half a dozen other canals, but 6. For the Western Mail Route, from
no work was ever done on them. Vincennes to Saint Louis, $250,000.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT ACT. RAILROADS AGAIN.
The railroad laws of 1835 and'36 were 7. A railroad from Cairo to some point
never of more value than so much waste near the southern termination of the Illipaper, for there was never a mile of road nois and Michigan Canal, thence to
built under their authority; but from Galena, $3,500,000.
subsequent events it would appear that 8. A Southern Cross Railroad, from
the people were only practicing in order Alton to Mount Carmel; also a railroad
to learn how to make laws. The most from Alton to Shawneetown, $1,600,000.
remarkable act ever passed by a legisla- 9. A Northern Cross Railroad from
tive body in the State, was approved Quincy, on the Missisippi river, to the
Feb. 27, 1837. It was entitled "An act Indiana State line, oy the way of Mount
to establish and maintain a general sys- Sterling, Meredosia, Jacksonville, Springtem of internal improvements." Two field, Decatur and Danville, thence to
supplementary acts were approved March the State line, in the direction of Lafay4, 1837. The three acts are comprised in ette, Indiana, $1,800,000.
5