The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-21
Our Iowa Corresponds nee.

CLINTON CoUNTY, (lowa,) Dec. 4, 1919.
Aspect Of Iotca-The Resources of the State-7ae
Railroad Fsve-The Projected Lines-TNe Road
to the Pacific.
AS your paper always contains everything of in
terest that takes place in the country, have
thought that an occasional letter from the "IIawk-
Eye State" will not prove unacceptable to you.
Iowa Is, as is well known, situated at the ex-
IRENE northwest Of the Union, and is, with one
exception, the youngest sister of the confederacy
Her territory comprises nearly $4,000 square miles,
lying between 40 degrees 40 minutes, and "A de-
grses 10 minutes north latitude, having the Upper
Mississippi for her eastern boundary, and the
Missouri river partly on the western line The
tie undulatlon OF not more than 80 feet perpendcu-
ar rise. Timber - scarce, except In the northern
part; but Goals OF superior quality have recently
been discovered in the southeastern section of the
state. The great lead region Of Illinois extends
westwardy into this State, over tract of country.
las far as discovered) Of about 500 square miles
The prest mt population estimated at le 900 souls
who are settled principally in the counties adj acent
10 The Mississippi, and Gu the southern border of
the State; but as considerable accessions are be-
ing mace every day, by emigration from the old
world, as well as from other States, the tide is
foilng westward, az the star Of empire takes It's
wy Numerous rivers-tnbutanes of the Missls-
sppl and our drain this beautiful country and
aeihe population increases they will nd IL not only
necessary, but advantageous 10 themselves, TO i'm
prove the navigation OF these streams, and thereby
put themselves IN communication with the great
cities Of the Valley of the Mississippi. and thence
10 the world beyond.
The principal topic of conversation, indeed the
great mama that rs prevailing here, is the railroad
lever. IL has sumbered since 1859, but has now
broken out afIesh, not only In old but new places
The most extravagant schemes are daily Matched,
one cannot peruse newspaper without finding
some newly projected line of railway; IN fact, the
IA hAla nffu road
classes alike; where before the attention of spec1-
laiors and capitalists alone directed now the
farmers and all taking part in It, Not that the
agrlcuturist, and all persons not spectators and
capitalists, should not engage IN H. do not mean to
infer; for improvements are designed for the MANY
and not for the few, and should be constructed
and paid for by the many; but What mean to con-
vey is, that all hands are engaged IN building
castles roads in the air, for these projects can
never, at the present day, be earned out.
No enc presumes 10 suppose for a moment, that
the man Of moderate means should not be allowed
TO invest his money IN an enterprise OF this nature
but when every little village OF half dozen houses
and a score or two Of population, speak serious
y of a brsach road from any line to their par
tcular city Ton paPcr), one Is disposed either to
laugh at the absurdiy, or grIeve that, should
such hair-brained adventure be undertaken in
e'itable loss will follow all connected with this
would be enterprise.
Ever since the people of Ohio, very wisely.
thought II proper TO connect their importantslake
more railways between these two highways of ma.
vIgatlon, the population of the MINOR towns and
embryo cities along the Mississippi, have been en-
deavoring 10 initiate the example Of the former. or
q should wriie) thoroughly eclipse them, IN con-
structlng railroads from the Western Likes To the
FEATHER OF Rivers" Were these small towns TO
unite their resources, and by their JOINT action
complete and open ono road, u undoubtedly would
be advantageous 10 all concerned: but when each
sets up for itself. and wishes To be a teyyat.us of
the great "Atlantic Railway" the thing becomes
prepotterous and absurd The town of Dubuque,
which In IN the centre Of the lead on seems 10
be The great meet, where these gigantic eggs are
haiched. The first Of these mushroom lines (for
To apply any othe would be untrue) n to con-
meet that city with New York; Whether this
cent, Hplaisd road will pursue direct course 10
the metropolis OF the East, we are not informed;
bot u Is to be VIA Galena, a city about twenty
mles distant. The route is ms definitely express
ID, ~ should New Yorker spesk Of "New
Nork and New Orleans" line, via Paterson, N.
70 Council Bluff, on IN Missouri river, distant
~ y Mules III straight line, and passing through an
blted tract Of county, but very recently
upied by he Sac and Fox tribes Of Indians The
thus aud smallest line may be opened. IN the
cours, Of time. when The population warrants u,
snd IL tesitned 20 unite this came "Cty of Du-
huque" with the Mississippi at N, town OF k,ukuk
V,ut Of the lower rsPos) TINS would undoubt-
dy b. an important highway, when the river is
cl,sed by zee during the wintrr months; bot At the
ltesent time. when all the snefgiss uf the people
h'ud be directed In advocating and "pu-hisg
htush " 10 cumplrtion The most economical aud
.r,Hbsgetus route TOR connecting the UpIer Mis-
i-tippl with the Aiaurc States. VIA the lakes AL
't,fs should b, laid aside The people Of Hin OILS
~ slresuy incurred a heavy State debt tor rat
'sds con rnenced. hut not completed; they should
ware ~ ialhis into the same W sgain Nothing
noe iOoiish Than to begin with a prodiguns
,uto. and. a. m, old sdare has ii, ''coup out of
i'tie ed ~ thr hon
The city Of Chicago has nov. an uninterrupted
f r'tf communication with - Louis, VIA the Ill,-
ne rivtf ~ OuaSH. thence by csual ~ Lake
NtchigHp bot this - navig hi, ont, fur certain
fi'C ~ a.. yer Now she Sch to unite herself,
u'ars II rsiifvsd. van The heed ~ navigation
tllt same llinuis tuet; and the people OF the
ef.ttf ret 81 lLinOis I'd ~ m. eastern side Of
we sc ser. wIseJ u'gng the establishment Of q