Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-10-30
The Railroads once more.

A0O Os0A4IVa01 OxA00 10V&Vs
We do not know that it is necessary for us to
say any thing more to set ourselves right with the
De- Moines Fai.ey IFaig As to our presumed OPP
position to the contemplated Dubuque s Kcoknk,
and Davenport & Council Bluffs Railroads. We
believe that companies have been organized to
construct both Of these roads. We do not know
what amount Of stock has been taken in either of
them, nor what progress has been made in put
ting any portion Of the roads under contract
We presume the gentlemen who have embarked
in these enterprises, think the prospect is good
for their speedy completion, and that they look
forward with certainty to the profits and advan-
tagcs to be derived from them. We will not stop
to argue about these. nor about what we think of
the feasibility. practicabi!ity and necessity of
these roads. All this is their business and not
ours; nor have we ever supposed that our judg-
ment Of their wild and visionary character. would
FOR moment deter them from their prosecution,
when once deliberately resolved upon.
That we are not opposed to the construction
OF these roads BY the companies organized for
that purpose, we can in all sincerity and candor
assure our friend Of the Valley Wing. Ii they
are able and willing to complete these roads, We
shall in all good faith, wish them success, and
speed them in their efforts.
But the propriety aud expedisncy OF building
them al the expense of the whole State, and from
the proceeds Of lands 20 be obtained from the
General Government for the benefit of the whole
State, is altogether different question. If the
General Government is 10 make 10 the State OF
Iowa donation of lands to build one or more
may set us down as opposed to bestewing the
whole of the lands upon the companies which
have been organized for The construction of
Roads from Dubuque to Keokuk, and from Da-
venport to Council Bluff Nor do we know Of
any right in these companies 10 claim these lands
to the exclusion Of other companies which may
be formed, nor why other portions of the State
have not as much right to be heard, and to claim
a portion Of the favors Of the General Govern
ment, as the Railroad Companies above named
If grants of land are made according to the petit
tons Of these companies, the Eberality Of the
general government will have been exhausted up
on them, and Iowa will have received her fair
and equal portion Of the public lands. She win
DC excluded from any further favoSs of the same
kind. The fact that it has been the custom of
Congress TO make grants of | ands for certain de-
finite and designated objects of improvement, and
not to the State generally for purposes of inter-
nal Improvement, does not make the question anv
stronger for The Valley Wing. Congress NAV
sometimes vary from that custom. We think
that the act Of 1911 gave 70 each Of the new
States, half a million acres Of land for purposes
Of internal improvement. We think that Iowa.
IN her Constitution, with the subsequent assen,
Of Congress, diverted these lands 10 purposes of
Common School education. Whether Congress
may be induced TO act so literally again, i.
question we cannot decide. Blu, we think the
probabilities are that she will sooner do SO, than
she will make another such donation as she did
TO Illinois for the benefit of the Central Railroad
Company.
We think the faircst, the most honorable and
satisfactory plan would be to ask Of Congress a
donation Of land for purposes Of internal improve
ment within the State, leaving the people of the
State to decide for themselves at home, tao man
ner Of their appropriation and expenditure. We
have good reason for saving that portion of the
delegation from keokuk to the late Convention
at Iowa City, were in favor OF this plan. The
argument whica the Wing draws from the fact
that three successive legislatures have deemed
the Keokuk and Dubuque, and the Davenport
and Council Bluffs Roads, of sufficient importance
70 Justify special memorials to Congress in their
behalf. is hardly legitimate one. The fact is
far from showing at all, much more from show
ing "beyond any question:" that the appropria-
tons prayed for are approved by the majority
OF the people of the State. The question was
not fairly and distinctly presented to the legsla-
ture, as it never has been TO the people of the
State: ''Saall all the lands the State may reason
ably expect to be given to it by the General Gov
eminent for Internal Improvements, be expended
upon the construction of Railroads from Du-
buaue to Keckuk and from Davenport TO Ccur.
Gil Blsas7'
When this question is fsirly presented to the
people Of the State, we have no doubts or fears
that the response will be different from that whc.
the Valley Wing supposes has already been made.
AT any rate let it be fairly submitted to the peo.
pie of the State, and if decided IN their favor, we
shall be the last to manifest opposition Of any
kind to the success Of these roads. We can then
wish them good speed, withoa. laying ourselves
isble to the suspicion of secret hostility or pre-
tended friendship.
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Coal from Rock Island.