Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-10-11


few miles west, with Mr.. Blake, the president of
the plank road company, for the purpose Of seeing
the result of the operations the road thus far The
road is now nearly completed as far as James Girls
wold's, and will very be completed six miles,
The contrast between the plank track with what the
road before planking, is very great,-to be
matched only by that Of midday and midnight. We
took this occasion TO accept Of Mr.. Bakes invitation
the more readily because for days the weather
has been bad and the rains would afford an additional
test 10 the utility of the new experiment. The
result entirely satisfactory and we are than
satisfied of the correctness of the opinion
have often expressed, that plank roads, for local pur
poses ure after all, The roads for this State Give US
few great lines of railroad, the main routes, and
then as many lateral plank rOads you please for
local accommodation, and the progress of the State
and her people, in solid prosperity, will be
pied. The notions Of our population have been
neous TO some extent, for a yelr or two past Many
could be content with improvement short of rail-
road of first rate cost aud capacity; and we have
sometimes thought that there was too much of the
old ''iniernal improvement" mania prevalent touch
ing this subject. Railroads be made without
less cash, to be borrowed and paid for, out Of
the State. But it is within the means and ability of
our people to build thousands of miles of plank road,
without borrowing dollar from eastern capitalists,
and with the certainty of immense advantage to
selves. Entertaining such views these, we have
looked with solcitude upon the experiment now MAX
ing of pankng the national road, east and west Of
this places and we hope and believe that the result
will be such TO stimulate citizens generally to
take early steps in the prosecution of similar works
elsewhere.
By the way. we were surprised TO learn by inspec-
tion of the large of work required in repair
ing the bridges Eagle Creek. One it will be
remembered, entirely down at one end, and the
abutments caved away. But this was not the worst
Of IL unbers were very much decayed, and had to be
replaced by Ones cqualing in cost and labor at
least half the original cost of the same.
The season has been unfavorable, or much more of
the road could have been comp leed.
LIBEL Survive are surprised to learn, by the
Vevay Palladium Of the 6b that The libel suit ius-
tuied by JOHN TAFT, jr against Isaac Stevens, r, is
persevered in. Stevens the editor Of the Palladium,
published certain communications, during the late
canvass, Gait being candidate for Representative
upon which this suit is based and change of venue
has been taken TO Jefferson county by Tot, he being
unwilling to have the question settled in his own,
Olio county.
Now we know nothing about The merits of this
controversy; out personally friendly TO both
these men, and just friendly, personally, to the
| Wing as TO the Democrat Will they take the adj
vice Of a Common friend. and compromise this diff
Guilty We hope We cannot believe that S,e-
maliciously intended to iniure TAFT and if he
has done so, he will, we Think be willing to make
all just reparation. If he has not refused 10 do this
much. how friend Tait justify it his sober
| judgment TO pursue Stevens vindctively !!
Gentlemen, reconcile your differences. like goot
men and christians; for the further you agans
each other at law the worse it will be for you both
| Jet who will toin.