Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-11-11


bountiful supply of mud. We have dark nights;
once in while foggy morning, and cold
weather oil the time. Yesterday evening
considerable quantity Of snow fell.
Prom the forthcoming uumbei Of the Western J,utnal
RAILROADS FOR MISSOURI AND THE WEST
Public attention seems now in this State, 10
he fully awake to the necessity for railroads TO
develop the resources and hidden wealth Of the
country, and il is al-important that there should
be full examination and free discussion of the
subject in order 10 bring TO light the true system
Of railroads for the West, and how in the speed
lest and safest manner, they may be built. Ev-
cry variety Of plan may be expected, modified
bv the knowledge and sectional interest of the
individual. but each one will throw some light
on the question.
II is easy TO project on paper thousands OF
miles Of railroad, but each road has 10 be built
mile by mile, paid for as il progresses, and
it should, so far as possible, pay back dividend
as it progresses-for capital in this country
cannot wait years for a return. Hence II is inn
portsnt TO consider the country projected rail-
4 road is 10 pass through, as we'll as its ultimate
destination; but is equally important in starting
simple local railroad, if but ten miles in length,
to look at what its end in time may be. and at
tempt TO suit il TO its destiny. A railroad once
commenced if laid TO naturally suit the
business of the country, must keep on as surely
as the water from spring must keep running.
Il may seem TO some folly to talk Of thousands
of miles, when perhaps only tens can at present
be built, and objections may be made that too
much Is being undertaken, to the jeopardy OF
what can be done; but however large the plan,
it will only be perfected as money is forthcom-
/ For and is oil rtaO Mt In at
whole subject in order TO start the details right.
This is especially true Of railroads from St.
Louis-the natural centre Of the Mississippi
valley.
II is not necessary in this article TO consider
the routes eastward, (already started, for il
, may be safely asserted that the Eastern States
will build toward Missouri when she has made
herself the centre of commerce Of the Vest
Missouri has to build roads North, West and
South
Looking TO the North and West the first diff.
icultv that presents itself, is the lack OF any
commercial point, within a reasonable distance
TO build 10, but on the other hand the country &c
] build through is all valuable, either for mnera
, or agricultural products.
[Some points touched above do not seem tc
have attracted the attention they deserve. Il
seems 10 have been supposed that if the railroad
from Louisiana to Minnesota were undertaken
at all, it must at once be built the entire dist
ance, under penalty Of being denounced as
humbug. Gentlemen say nonsense! such
railroad cannot be built in this generation."-
Very well, admit that it cannot. Admit that i
cannot, for number Of years to come, WI
do verify believe. be extended even TO Iowa.
this any reason why the railroad should neve
f be built? Is this any reason why part of
should not be built now, and part in few
years more, and the balance next generation, i
r postsrity pleases? 1t is proper to look forwar
to probable results, and adopt measures to sui
future circumstances. II has been said the Pa
cifc railroad would never be built, and til
:, Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad project whe
first started, had but few supporters, the ma
iority Of persons maintaining its utter impracti
cability. After while they began to adm
e that it might be built in twenty or thirty years
a and now they look forward to its early compile
ia ton, and associate it with the Pacific Railroad
e, as two hundred miles of the latter soon to
n accomplished. In the extract quoted above,
Is is said:-- Looking TO the North &c., the frs
ID difficulty that presents itself is the lack of an
y commercial point within reasonable distance
e TO build to-" Hannibal may be considered now
is by the writer, as not 'any commercial point,
E, but the elements Of progress are at work, whic
/ will make it such point, by the time railroa
l. can be constructed from St. Louis to Hannibal
n It is within reasonable distance +" considerin
= the ability of Missouri, engaged she is now
y on first experiment of two other railroads
e and as a first link in great railroad is quite a
l. much MS she ought to undertake at present.
:, The route to Hannibal being most direct, will
make the road shorter, and at the same time &C
cSmplish all the other could accomplish, by fur
nshing Northern Missouri with means Of trans
portation.
We publish the remainder Of the article froi
the Western journal, az a full description @
!. the system of railroads for Missouri and III
West, whiSh will be advocated in N. Louis,
| it BASKRUPTs THE STATE! or like Illinois ono
2 did, with her wild and reckless system of In
ternal Improvements, sink the credit of the Stat
3 soundless depth below par. The cry now
for railroads through every county, with
9 branch through every mans back yard and III
5 whole system must be built at once, to secur
= the vote of every locality.
. The necessity appears, then, OF reversing tn
habits OF the old countries, and instead of build
ing roads to accommodate business in exist
ence, build them in order to create the bushes