The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-10-10
For The Eransrille Journal.


House, aud while | was much pleased with
many Of the views presented by the various
speakers, and gratifed to perceive from the
large attendance, that the citizens are fully a
live to the interests Of the town, could not
but regret that the unfaporablc as well as the
favorable side of the question had not been
more fully investigated, before it was deter
mined TO publish the proceedings of the meet
ing and to commence an agitation both in this
State and in Illinois.
1t is unwise al any time to set on foot pro-
jects which are hastily conceived; and it is es-
pecally injudicious, to call public attention 10
schemes ofinternal improvement, by meetings,
publications. and orrespondence--thereby
creating excitement often injurious in its ten
| ly and judiciously considered, and are found to
present such reasonable and obvious evidences
of practicability and utility. as will at the out
set, elicit fair degree of confidence, and i'm
press the community favorably with respect to
the judgment and foresight of the projectors.
Ifsuch prudent precaution be not exercised,
the authors of an enterprise soon come to be re-
garded as visionary, and, though they should
afterwards bring forward schemes which prom
Use 10 be of incalculable advantage, the dis
trust which attaches to the projectors, might
embarrass, il not entirely prevent their adop-
ton. 1t is important, therefore, that the citi-
zrns of Evansville should not hazard their re-
pu talon for shrewdness and sound judg ment
by the advocacy of measure unless fully sat-
isfisd that it is worthy of their support, and in
order that they may arrive at correct conclus-
ions it is well 10 consider both sides of the
question.
| The great objects aimed at by Cincinnati and
4 ST. Louis are, first, TO open direct inter-com
munication BY railway taking the straightes
and shortest route, unless deviation proves
4 advantageous; and next, 10 benefit themselve.
: mutually BY obtaining the trade of the inter
J. vening portions of territory, and to depart 81
e far from straight line only, as will most ef
b fectually accomplish this object
J. No one will contend that Evansville would
/ be in the direct line, and it only remains Il
l. consider whether such greater inducements il
d the way OF increased trade and travel, and larg
IF er investments in the stock, exist along on
proposed line, as to justify its substitution Il
he one already contemplated. In Illinois
u looking TO the advantages of trade and the a
l. mount OF stock that would be taken, it wou
2, perhaps De of little consequence which rout
lie was adopted, as the country would be prett
of much the same on either line-and with refer
m ence TO travel, the difference would not b
Fl very material, though it might be worthy Q
consideration whether the approach to grea
thoroughfare like the Ohio, at middle poin
l. like ours, might not divert many from the RAJ
10 Road. who would be compelled TO coniinu
their course on it, did no such oppo rtunity fc
20 change exist. In Indiana the sections of couu
W try through which the two routes would b
n likely 10 pass are strikingly different. Takin
IL Lawrenceburg as the point of departure, tn
Is route TO Vincennes trayerses tier of countie
lying on the waters of East White River. whic
are nearly all very fertile, and among the yer
- best counties in the southern half of the State
which are now pOpulOus and comparatiyel
wealthy; which produce largely and are mes
- surably destitute of the means OF transports
= ton, being entirely dependant for ma vigatio
a upon the uncertain spring floods of White Ri,
er Being large producers they would fro
their inland positions, prove valuable suppo
tiers OF Rail Road. They are able to take
large amount of stock and their want of Il
y means OF transportation would compel them
do so if necessary to the success of the ente
prise.
~ The Southern Route would pass throu.
: another tier of counties, living on the highland
- between White River and the Ohio, which a
:" not remarkably fertile, which are sparsely pc
.'e ulated, and which are all not very distant fro
: the Ohio River, that immense thoroughfare
IA long which transportation will ever be chea
er than upon Railways-moreover along ii
route the inhabitants are comparatively roc
- and consequently unable to take stock in
." Railway however much it might benefit thel
" Producing less, they would also prove less va
u liable as supporters of a Railway, independe
Ins Of the diversion which the proximity Of 4
az Ohio River would cause. The country is al
D,e broken, and therefore less suited for RaiIw
''u than the valley of White River
"a Such being the comparative merits of 1
! "u two routes, which would be likely TO pay I
nei best, aud which would be the most likely
md .oo, ,.;,h ,ba c,ro, &c .;,.I;.,.