atent from the General Government;
then the owners thereof might establish a centralized management to meet
the merits, demands and exigencies of the case. They could enforce a
harmony of interests between all trains and a harmony of police
regulations, and they could enforce a consolidation of effort and
co-operation to meet any exigency, just as a railway company can
consolidate and develop its efforts upon any necessitous occasion.

* * * * *

In the nature of the case, these three necessities, when accomplished, will
give to steam _the universal movement of boats_.

First.--Because it becomes a cheap motor in regard to which horses can hold
no competitive claim.

This is seen from the fact that when steam can only utilize from eight to
twelve per cent. of its power, as under the two eras of steam, the two best
steamers--the _S. B. Ruggles_ and _City of Buffalo_--lived five years in
competition with horses, nothing since has exceeded their economies or
capabilities; but give the steam they used a utility of thirty to fifty per
cent., or over three times its present capabilities, and no team can be
supported in competition.

* * * * *

Second.--Because it possesses the economies of concentrated power.

Horse-power must be diffused into small and limited qualities to be
economical. The cost of double, treble, or quadruple teams, to increase
speed or reduce time, swells the cost of transportation almost in like
ratio, and would eat largely into the value of cargoes.

With the _present enormous waste of steam-power, trains with over three
boats_ begin to increase the cost of freight per ton. The _Governor King_
was less economical with five boats than with three. On a part of the
Eastern Division, two powerful tugs, lashed side by side on the levels,
have taken a train of (17) seventeen boats successfully. Give to half their
combined steam fifty per cent. addition to their combined power, and train
movement receives an important inauguration. Economy, dispatch, regularity
and a universal harmony of interests prevail.

SUMMARY.

The considerations of facts and suggestions herewith presented, embody
important reasons for the Legislature to continue in force the Act of
April, 1871, "to foster and develop the inland commerce of the State." It
seems well adapted to influence, encourage and facilitate the development
of mechanical, inventive talent; and