Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-02-01
From the Burlington Gazette.
Plank and Rail Road
Meeting!
Great Outpouring OF the people,!


in Burlington took place Oh Saturday
night last, the 26lh inst. The Court
Room was crowded to OVERLOOKING, and
very many were una BILE 10 obtain admis-
sion. The object of the meeting was to
respond to the feeling existing in many
portions of Western Iowa las expressed
through recent public meetings and the
columns of the press) in favor of Il con-
nection with the Mississippi at Burling-
ton, by means of railroad or plank road
or both. On motion,
James w. Grimes, Esq, was called
to the Chair, and Anthony w. Carpen
ter, Esq. appointed Secretary.
Mr.. Grimes stated the object of the
meeting very pertinently, und at some
length. Whereupon, on motion, it was
ordered that committee of seven be
appointed TO prepare and submit resolu-
lions for the consideration of the meet
ing.
The following persons were appointed
to constitute said committee viz: James
Clark, Esq j. l.. Corse, w. III. Starr,
J. G.. Foote, w. F. Coolbaugh, j. p.
Sunderland, and II. L. Parsons.
During the absence of the Committee
the meeting was addressed by J. W.
Woods, J. G. Edwards, j. C. Hall, and
Millican Clark, Esqs.
The committee returned after a short
absence, and submitted the following
resolutions, all of which were adopted
one by one-by reclamation:
Resolved. That the active prosecution
and speedy completion of the Plank
Road now commenced, between Bur-
lington and Mount Pleasant, is called for
by the highest considerations of public
utility, and that we urge upon the Di-
rectors to spare no efforts within their
power TO carry the work through by the
commencement of next winter.
Resolved, That experience having
shown that these roads, if judiciousIy
located, invariably pay handsome in
terest on the money invested, we appeal
not only to the business men, property
holders and capitalists of Burlington and
vicinity, but TO the farmers residing along
the route lin view OF tho additional val
ue the completion of the road is deslin-
ed to impart to their property to come
forward and take up the remaining sub
scription to the stock of the road.
Resolved, That we regard the road
to Mount Pleasant as but a single link
in chain of roads diverging from that
point in different directions to the Des
fMoines river, all of which are demanded
by the present business and necessities
of the country.
Resolved, That with the view of &C
commodating the trade of the western
counties, we are in favor of connecting
with the Des Moines river al three diff
ferent points, viz: AT Keosauqua, by
way of Lowell and Salem;-at Olum-
wa, by extending the road from Mount
Pleasant through Fairfield, Llbertyville,
Ashland and Agency City;-al Fort Des
Moins, by striking off at Mount Pleas
ant, and running through Brighton, and
Oskaloosa.
Resolved, That the surplus wealth Of
the country through which these roads
would run is amply sufficient to con-
struct them, and that it but requires u
nited and vigorous effort to ure their
completion at comparatively earl y day.
Resolved, That entertaining no hos
tility to any of the numerous railroad
projects agitated in different sections of
the State, we cannot shut our eyes to the
fact that they are all dependent on an
| ticipaled appropriations of land by the
General Government; and while we are
anxious to receive any grant from Con-
gress which can be obtained to aid in our
improvements, we wish it to constantly
borne in mind that the success of our
road is not dependent on any such un.
certain contingency. 1t looks 10 indivld-
ual enterprise and effort, and these will
not fail it. 1t is is not measure got up
to talk about, which may or may not as
sumo positive and practical shape; but
it is work that has actually been
commenced, with the certainty of being
completed at least as far as Mount Pleas
ant.
Resolved, That when the time ar
rives when railroads are required by the
increasing business of the country !hro'
which the plank road is already located,
and is proposed to be run, an iron track
can be laid down on the road, at COM
paratively trifling expense over and "a
bove the cost of the rails; thus making
the plank road in reality but the COM
mencement of railroad.
Resolved, That we feel deep inter-
est in the speedy construction of the Pc
oria and Oquawka roalroad, and its eX-
tension-or branch lhereof-to point
opposite this place. An immense trade
in Western Iowa is looking TO this road
as means of furthering it on its way TO
an eastern market, and we therefore have
right to expect that liberal policy to-
wards Burlington and Iowa generally,
based on reciprocity of interest, will
govern those who are entrusted with the
management of the road.
Resolved, That for the purpose Of
bringing about concert of action among
those who feel an interest i'll the extern
sion. of the plank road to the various
points mentioned in the 4th resolution,