TRANSPORTATION AND COMMERCE. The superior transportation facilities of Georgia are largely responsible for its advanced industrial position among the Southern States. Railway construc tion dates from an early time. The Central of Georgia was built from Savannah to Macon in 1833. In 1860 the mileage of 1420 was exceeded by only five other States. The period from1880 to 1890 showed an increase from 2460 to 4600 miles. In 1900 the mileage was 5650. There are 57 lines in the State, of which the longest are the Central of Georgia, Southern Railway, Seaboard Air Line, Plant System, and the Georgia. The State Rail way Commission fixes rates, and the companies are subject to penalties for their violation. The railroads of Georgia no longer question the constitutionality of this commission. The State has recently taken a decided stand in behalf of good highways, and it now has sev eral hundred miles of macadamized roads. The law enables the counties to assess special road taxes, besides a commutation tax on all males.. and provides for the employment of convict or free labor. Many of the counties have taken
advantage of these provisions. The number of large rivers offers advantages of water naviga tion to a large portion of the State. The Sa vannah on the east is navigable to Augusta, and the Chattahoochee on the west to Columbus, giving an outlet to the Gulf, while the inter vening streams, Flint, Altamaha, and others, are navigable for considerable distances. The city of Rome, in the northwest portion of the State, has the advantages of water navigation through the Coosa and Oostanaula rivers. Though the coast-line is not extensive, there are the ex cellent harbors of Savannah, Brunswick, and Saint Mary's, the former ranking eighth in order of importance as to foreign commerce among American ports, being the largest Atlantic port south of Baltimore. The foreign exports from Savannah in 1901 exceeded $46,738,967, and from Brunswick $7,952,637. The largest part of this was manufactured cotton; other important items were naval stores (spirits of turpentine and rosin) and fertilizers.