railroad originally was as completely dissociated from steam
propulsion as was the ship. Just as vessels had existed for ages
before the introduction of mechanical power, so the railroad bad
been a familiar sight in the mining districts of England for at
least two centuries before the invention of Watt really gave it
wings and turned it to wider uses. In this respect the progress
of the railroad resembles that of the automobile, which had
existed in crude form long before the invention of the gasoline
engine made it practically useful.

In the United States three new methods of transportation made
their appearance at almost the same time--the steamboat, the
canal boat, and the rail car. Of all three, the last was the
slowest in attaining popularity. As early as 1812 John Stevens,
of Hoboken, aroused much interest and more amused hostility by
advocating the building of a railroad, instead of a canal, across
New York State from the Hudson River to Lake Erie, and for
several years this indefatigable spirit journeyed from town to
town and from State to State, in a fruitless effort to push his
favorite scheme. The great success of the Erie Canal was finally
hailed as a conclusive argument against all the ridiculous claims
made in favor of the railroad and precipitated a canal mania
which spread all over the country.

Yet the enthusiasts for railroads could not be discouraged, and
presently the whole population divided into two camps, the
friends of the canal, and the friends of the iron highway.
Newspapers acrimoniously championed either side; the question was
a favorite topic with debating societies; public meetings and
conventions were held to uphold one method of transportation and