The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-01-09

eastern cities, but by the Illinois centra
rood, to St. Louis, and by the Peru ant
Lafayette railroad, through the interior q
Indiana and Ohio to Cincinnati. The sue
cess of the Chicago and GaIena ruilroad
and the facts recently developed in relation
to the Rock IsIaud and LaSalle road have
attracted the attention Of eastern capital
lists. Money is abundant in the Atlantic
cities, and sn inviting field is opening fo'
investments ia the west. The offers made
at Rock Island by two gentlemen Of IN
questionable responsibility from tho east
prove most decisively this tendency. These
gentlemen, who are perfectly able TO com.
mand the capital. offer to build the railroad
from Rock Island to Chicago pithin the
term Of tpo years! They agree TO take,
in stock, hslfthe amount requisite to grade
the road, and to procure for the bonds of the
company and upon their owu responsibli-
ty, the iron and equipments necessary ia
put the road into complete operation. The
numerous propositions, also, which are a.
bout to be made TO the Legislature Of Hi
nois in reference to her great central rnil-
road, show conclusively that eastern capi-
tai is seeking this kind Of investment. One
company il is understood, will agree TO
give the state ten per cent Of the gross
earnings Of the road forever, II they can
have the lands and fair charter to build
it.
We're il practicable to put the Daven-
port and Iowa city railroad into operation
simultaneously with the railroad from Rock
Island to Chicago, it would not by an,
means, be premature measure. The
supplies Of merchandise, salt, coal, iron,
lumber, fish &C., for the whole interior OF
Iowa, would instantly pass over the road,
and thus the pasis of an immense increase
of traffic would be so efectualy establish
ed, that the trains bringing in this merchan-
disc and these staples from abroad, would
be constantly loaded with agricultural pro-
ductioEs on their return.
The number Of passengers who passed
over the Chicago and Galena railroad dn-
ring the past year, was more than equal TO
two thirds Of tho whole population who in
habit the counties within It's influence
That the Davenport and Iowa city railroad
would be able to mand an equal ratio OF
traffic, after two years, there cannot be a
shadow Of doubt.
lfthis railroad 10 considered simply as a
medium to hasten the settlement OF the
con nntry, il is quite plain that it will exercise
an immense influence, but it will also con
tribute to the wealth and progress Of the
State. with sill more particular effect, By
forming the first dirision wess Of the Mis-.
sissippi, Of the great National Arenae,
yhich Is, eventually, to stretch across this
immense continent. This firsf otfectual i'm
pulse which is given to the rapid develope-
ment Of the resources Of Iowa, will soon be
followed by second which will not stop
short OF the Missouri. These results can
now be predicted with absolute certainty,
for they have, ia fact, become a necessary
consequences, and should Congress even de-
Law the expected donation Of public lands,
which is scarcely to be apprehended, pri-
vate enterprise will, ere long, carry
through this important undertaking.
Il has been asserted that without char
ter, created by special legislative ennc.
men,, capitalists would not engage in il.
Experience, however, coming to the aid OF
reason, has shown that this opinion Is not
well founded. The objection might posi-
bly be rnised by fsctious persons, but the
men who are likely to build this road, in
ves,ignte very closely, and base their de-
,erminstions more upon the capacity OF the
work to make returns than upon the mere
parchment BY which the common enter
prise is designated. This is proven b. the
fact that railroads are being built under
the operation Of general laws, in many ct
the States Of the Union. The law Of Iowa,
to promote public improvements, amply
provides oil the essential powers and priv.
ilioes, usunlly contained in charters, and
the good filth Of the State, under the man
datory requirement other constitution. IS
as effectually pledged in the first instance
as il possibly could be 10 the last.
The Davsnpor, and Iowa City railroad
is, without doubt, the first work Of tho Char
acter, that is likely to be undertaken in
lows. | am aware that other railroads are
in contemplation, ia which some particular
sections Of the State take a mnre imme.
dia.e interest. i, is very evident, how
ever, that it is their true interest first to
support your efforts. Public attention
Easfis directed to great ,oestern rail.
road, and the whole line from Boffalo and
Dunkirk, along tho southern shore ot Lake
Erie, through Ohio, Michigan and Indiana
to Chicago, is in state Of rapid progress
towards completion. Another railroad
through Canada West, to connect Toronto
and Niagara Falls with Detroit, there {
unite with the Michigan central rail road
which is 10 profitable operation, is being
pushed forward with much spirit.
From tho south.cast the same spirit u
manifest. Philadelphia is extending ths
Pennsylvania central rail road from rus
bureh to Cleveland, and tho various com
panies in Ohio aod Indiana are extending
their works to tho west. Two great polnt
| =. ~. As;..;.s;nn; ara already fixed upon