Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1851-10-08
4 he Dubuque and
rOad Cvmpany-


Important movements which hnyesB(
fore made in this State, on behalf of land
to the two great railroads which are pro;cIl
we accidentally omitted to mention in its pro
per place, the organization of the Dubuauc ant
Keokuk railroad company North and South, i,
January last This double OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ed after protracted dclibcration, as the sol,
means of harmonzing views apparently diverse
as to the time and manner Of assayng the com
mon object-was then considered, and has eve,
since been regarded by us all, as a practical
sep, of commanding Importance, towards the
early construction of the Dubuque and Keokuk
Railroad. AS such it should have been given a
prominent place in the enumeration which pro-
fessed to present at one view all the more i'm
portant efforts for the establishment of the road.
In supplying the omission, at this time, the
occasion will justify an exhibition of the objects
sought to be accomplished by that movement,
somewhat in detail; and We therefore recur to
the articles Of Incorporation, themselves for the
m ost authoritativ, exposition Of these objects
and of the manner in which they were sought
to be attained.
The title or preamble to these articles declares
their object to be-" the construction of rail
road from Dubuque to keokuk, on or near the
line designated by the preliminary survey there.
OF, as reported TO the General Assembly," &c
Article first, provides that that portion of the
road north of Iowa City shall be designated as
the Dubuque and Keokuk Railroad North, DC
Article eight, of each company, declares that
"the board of directors shall proceed. at once,
TO establish the route for said road, permanently
ION the S ,uthl from Keokuk through the towns
Of Montrose, West Point, Salem, Fairfield ,Brigh-
ton and Washington 10 Iowa City; and lon the
North from Dubuque through the towns of
Cascade, Anamosa, Marion, and Cedar Rapids
to Iowa City. And as expeditiously as posi-
be thereafter, the said board shall procure the
Consequence Of land for the right of way, and
adopt measures for the completion of said rail-
road" DC.
Article nine. provides that "the said Boards
of directors Of, the Dubuque and Kcokuk rail-
road company, North and SOUTH shall have
power to make and conclude arrangements with
the State of Iowa, for grant of land which
may be made by the United States" DC.
Article twenty one provides that SO soon as
the entire road is completed, as aforesaid, the
two divisions shall be united into one. compa-
ny, "nnder the style of the Dubuque and keS-
kuk railroad company" and the property and
stock shall be united in common. q
Article sixteen provides that no amendment
of the charter shall be permitted "rhich shall
change The points Of the road as fired in article s."
or the plan of union laid down in article y
nor any other amendment except by the con- |
currcnce of the directors of both divisions
These are emphatic provisions of an existing !
law, Hor such is this chartcr,) cmanaling from
the publec judgment, and created for the pub
lie benefit. They were produced, at a great ex-
pcLditure of ti.'e and money, as and for the
benefcent results of grave dcliberation, upon |
matter affecting the welfare of common wealth
Unless, therefore, this Dubuque and Keokuk
railroad is to be regarded by Congress and ''the
rest of mankind" as a solemn farce, which will |
subject the people and authorities of the State
to derision and contempt, and reflect Giscredit |
upon every kindred measure, the sincerity of |
these proceedings must be vindcatcd, and the |
integrity Of their authors must be maintained. |
The problem will soon be solved