Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-10-16
10, 1881.
lava CITY Railroad Convention.

"a The most earnest advocates Of the Railroad
projects, whose interests are intended TO be ad-
yanced by it. The Dubuque Herald Of the 9th
takes the following view Of the matter:
sThat convention was called for another p,,r.
rosc than that Of entertaining jurisdiction of ques-
hons affecting the good of the whole state. and
,rc shall be disappointed if tie convention Of the
i'm inst. should do unto others as they would
have Others do unto them. es
.sThs convention viii be as il was designed to
n. n Iowa City convention, held for the sole use
and protit of 'siowa City town" and "Iowa CITY
necple.r And though other towns and counties
arc invited to the meeting il is not SO much for
,he;r own benefit as to give an Importance to the
Gathering Of the 10th, and to the object and ac-
don Of those who concocted the plans and called
thc meeting"
The Herald we think takes very proper view
II the matter. The projected Railroads from
Council Bluffs, are wild and visionary schemes,
eot ap for the benefit of Iowa City and few
other places, in which the interests Of the great
boay Of the people of the State are wholly over
Rocked, and in which they feel no concern.
tlf Congress is to make grant of lands to the
Siais for purposes of internal improvement, let it
h made for the benefit Of the whole State, and
les The grant be applied in manner which the
people Of the whole state will approve of.
Asit is, the ssDubuque and Keokuk Railroad
Cornrany,', and the '.Davenport and Council
Bluffs Railroad Company" have an organization
On paper, and have been got up for the purpose
II forestalng action on the part of the people of
the State generally, and of importuning Congress
for grant Of lands, as the only hope Of building
mile Of the respective roads. We think the
probability Of such donation on the part Of the
General Government very small. If the wishes
q 4 majority Of the people Of the State are fully
understood BY Congress, that body can not hesi-
tate moment in the course to adopt.
That~e may in all confidence expect Congress
to make liberal grant Of lands to the State for
the building Of Railroads, is matter pretty well
settled. The public lands are going-going fast.
Congress seems anxious to get rid Of them. Bat
a the matter at present stands, we think it would
Be as well to throw away the lands entirely as to
bestow them upon such wild and visionary
schemes as have been hatched at Iowa City, and
which are to be nursed by the convention at that
place next week.
These paper projects Of Railroads through
Iowa City, have thus far only staod in the way
Il others, practicable, important and necessary.
n which the interests of the people of the whole
State are deeply involved. And the memorials
md petitions they have been the means of har-
ing passed through the Legislature, and sent to
Congress, praying donations of lands to assist in
building these roads, will continue to stand in the
way Of any grant Of lands to the State for the
purpose Of internal improvements, until the peo-
pie see the folly and improprie.y Of all such
schemes, and unite to make such representations
to Congress as shall induce that body to believe
that the lands when given to the State, will be
applied TO such purposes as the people of the
whole State shall approve and recommend.
We may take il for granted that Congress will
not make a donation Of land to every Ra ,road
Company in the State that may dub itself by
some high-sounding name, and publish the list
Of its officers and its Articles of Incorporation
even though il may get memorial through the
oaueS lcSOuiulSuuiii- ouSh uoiutoh.
We may safely presume that body will exercise
its right Of Judging of the expedency, practica-
blity and usefulness Of the various roads propos-
Cd, and viii decide for itself where its favors will
be most advantageously bestowed. Ifit does, we
think it will hardly be able to reconcile with its
notions of propriety, donation Of lands to build
A railroad running from one point on the Missis-
sippi river to another on the same river, almost
parallel with it, ana crossing every cons derable
stream in the eastern half of the State. And this
loo, while the same body has before it proposi-
lion for an appropriation of money or lands to
improve the navigation of this same Mississippi
river. Well may Congress say: s'rhese two
schemes are wholly incompatible. The General
Government need not remove the distractions
from the Mississippi, if il is at the same time to
build Railroad parallel with it, whereby the
nver will be rendered uselessn
In This matter, we speak for the interests Of
'ne whole State Of Iowa. If the people of the
whole State say that the lands to be given to the
state Tor purposes of Internal Improvement, shall
De expended in building railroads from Dubuque
70 Aeokuk, and from Davenport to Council Bluffs,
enave nothing more to say. We have no hos
uhty 10 either OF these roads. Wehave no preiu-
a'ce against them produced by any sectional feel
ms or BY any supposed injury they might infict
upon the prosperity of Burlington. Bat when it
. proposed TO monopolize the favors Of the Cen
eral Government, and to expend on these wild
and visionary projects al the lands the State may
expect to receive from Congress for Railroad
purposes, we exercise the privilege common TO
eseFy citizen and to every town in the State, to
suteriour protest, and the protest of our city
against X. sg.1 at
Our remarks may be met with the stale outcry
hat Burlington is opposed TO every improve
ucnt that does not Immediately benefit her, ,and will
not cooperate in any scheme that does not bring
rade to her marts." We only have 70 say to this,
nat Burlington builds her own Railroads. and her
''cn plank roads. She has asked no assistance Of
me General Government yet, and when she does,
NE will be prepared to show that her application
s based on the interests, the wishes and the pros
Perlty OF the whole State. She will not ask Con-
gress to build Railroad for her passing through
! country where the population is from six TO
eight to the square mile, and where the receipts
from passengers and fregh's will not be more than
suiiciestta 70 pay the bare expenses Of running the
locomotive. 3} e sees-=zs.,
The people Of Burlington are in favor Of any
and every pp ppAcTIcARir measure palculated -