ANNUAL ADDKESS. IX. 



difficult to estimate the saving in time, expense and trouble, 

 which this arrangement secured to the settlers who rapidly 

 followed the lines which such capable and interested pioneers 

 marked out for them. To prevent the land grant com- 

 panies from holding a monopoly of the land adjoining the 

 railways, the Government retained alternate blocks, and 

 in some cases it was specified that the Government should 

 have the right of first sales. This system had an excellent 

 effect in stimulating both railway construction and settle- 

 ment ; and judging by its results, it was certainly a remark- 

 able success. The care and judgment which were exercised 

 in the alignment of these railways prepared the way for 

 the extremely low rates which the companies can afford to 

 charge for freight. It is worthy of special note that the 

 Government of India in carrying out the great irrigation 

 works which had done so much for that country, had not 

 a freer hand than these American Railway Companies when 

 once they have obtained the necessary concessions. The 

 railways in the United States have from first to last been 

 carried out by private enterprise, and the part played by 

 the Government has simply been to encourage this enter- 

 prise in every way that was reasonable and in accordance 

 with the interests of the country. The policy in this respect 

 has been practically identical with that adopted in the 

 United Kingdom. 



There is one important branch of engineering in the 

 United States which is dealt with by the Government, and 

 in connection with which distinguished service has been 

 done by the United States Engineers, a body corresponding 

 in military training and status to the Royal Engineers of 

 the United Kingdom. The branch referred to is river con- 

 servancy, and the works carried out are chiefly for the 

 improvement of navigation and the prevention of damage 

 from floods. The reports of the United States Engineers 



I 



