Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-12-19
From the Missouri Democrat.
RAIL ROAD,

RAIL ROAD.
The following article from the Liberty
Tribune, with comments by the Editors oil
the Boon's Lick Times, is worthy of seri
Gus consideration. The plan for rail road
from Hannibal to St. Joseph, does not con.
form to the opinion we entertain as to wha,
would be the most judicious terminus OF a
rail road commencing at Hannibal, at this
time. A road OF this description common.
cling on the Mississippi, at Hannibal, ought
to terminate at some point on the Missouri,
near the centre OF the state-say at Glas
gov, by way Of Fayette. An improve
ment OF this kind. should certainly be in
tended first TO relieve the wants OF the cen.
trail portion Of this great commonwealth,
where the population has become dense,
and the productions Of the soil so overwhel-
ming, as to insure a speedy liquidation Of
the expenses attending It's construction. In
presenting this view of the subject, we en-.
terrain no narrow minded feelings-no s,in,
ted predictions to what may be consider.
ed the best interest Of our friends on a d..
rect line from Hannibal to ST. Joseph 1t
is well understood at this day, that the great
National Road leading from Baltimore West,
from The point where it is now located,
Terre Haul, Indiana, must strike the Mis-
sssipp river, at or near Hannibal ; and
that from this point, its proper course would
be, on direct line thence to Hanniba.-
Congress should, and we trust will make an
appropriation to continue this road through
The state Of Missouri at its present session.
Is it, then, best that the rail road proposed,
and the great National Road, from the East
TO the West, should run close and parallel
together. We want to be liberal to all
parts of the state but the extremes should
also show some iberality for the centre.
We would therefore suggest that the del
egates to the proposed convention, should
come uncommltted, as to the terminus Of the
road, and prepared to do what is right. lie,
the contemplated rail road strike the Mis-
souri, river at this point and be continued
through the southern division OF our state
let the National Road run from Hannibal to
ST. Joseph let the navigation Of the Mis-
souri, river be improved, as proposed by
Gov. EDWARDS, in his last message; ano
with the Improvements proposed on the
Usage and North Grand Rivers, we shall
have done much to facilitate commerce, anc
to enable our enterprizing planters to ge
their produce to market without paying the
present ruinous price Of freight. We are
glad to see this subject agitated and trus
it will not be suffered to sleep till something
is done.
RAIL ROAD.
The subject Of Rail Road from Han
niba to st. Joseph, will be found introduc
ed on our first page. Our reflections or
The proposition, induced US to offer chang,
in the route and point at which it SHOULD
strike the Missouri river; and to which il be
comes our duty most earnestly to direc
public attention.
Since copying the remarks Of the Trlbun
and Boon's Lick Times on the propose
work, we have received the ST. Joseph Ga2
cite, which devotes a long article to it
practicabily. With US, its practicabiity
is not a question. No where in the Unite
States, perhaps, could such road be NOR
easily constructed. But however feaslbl
the work, however small the cost, would il
on the proposed line, ever pay expenses,
question which naturally comes up, an
forces itself on the inqulrng mind; and Their
are strong reasons Tor answering it in tn
negative. The Amazon is more OF Sc
than RIVER, and yet are the waters OF til
Missouri destined 10 be by far its superio
in commercial Importance; and is it not a
tonishinG, that without a single effort t
improve its navigation, the proper cours
) OF commercial transit, it should be propose
at this day to supercede i, by an entire a
tfcial work! The Missouri and Mississi
pi, in their connection, afford the most e
tensve inland navigation in the world, al
run parallel through the state of Missou
at about the distance OF 100 miles apart.
will therefore be impossible to construct
), intermediate line of transportation betwe'
., these two rivers, that can divert the nat
raj How of commercial pursuits from The
u waters; and this settles the question, tina,
F" work OF the kind, on the line propose
would not pay cost. What the interme
y;s ate space between Mississippi and Nilsson
~ rivers want, for the facili,alion of travel a
= trade, is the prolongation OF the great
tional Road, on the line proposed Tor 4
= rail road; and it is clearly established
our mind that opposition TO such measu
will be opposed to the very best interest