Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-09-30
From the Alton Teiegrarh.
ALTON AND THE RAILROAD.

and already, to Judge from the tone of our CO.
Temporary of the Courier on the subject, it is
working the ruin of Alton, with The inevitable
certainty Of fate. A stranger would readily in
fer that very great excitement prevails among
our citizens, and that complete reaction has ta-
ken place in their sentiments in regard to the
ELECTS OF this great iron thoroughfare upon the
trade and business Of our city.
As long as this imaginary excitement was
lconilned TO the columns of the Courier, we did
not deem it worth while TO notice il; but as the
impression has gone abroad that il is real, and
existing among us, it is well enough TO disabuse
the public mind upon the subject.
There does exist among many Of our citizens
some complaint on account of the course which the
railroad company has deemed it expedient TO
pursue in regard 10 their line of packet boats
between this city and st. Louis. 1t was not
supposed these boats were 10 be :. mere ccntp-
uation Of the railroad, and the freight passing
over the line was to be receipted from st. Louis
through. 1t was expected by our commission
merchants that the business of the boats would
be separate and distinct from the business of
the road. While the boats were considered not
only great convenience, but absolutely neces-
sary for speedy transportation and commerce,
it was not for moment supposed that the COM
lpany would receive freight at anv other point
than their depot in this city. In this, we have
all been in measure disappointed, and think
our citizens have some right TO complain 1t is
ia policy which, while it cannot materially bene-
fit the business of the road will take from our
commission and warehouse merchants much
which, otherwise, would be transacted by them.
What considerations actuated the company in
this matter, we do not know; but we believe
they are temporary, and as soon as the facilities
and advantages of the road are fully understood,
they will pass away, and lead to altogether diff
Iferent arrangements.
Further than this, we know Of TO excitement
of any kind in this vicinity on account of the
Railroad, except that which results from very
manifest increase of business among all classes
Iof our merchants. II is true, croakers are to be
found in all localities and we have our share
of them here-who make up their minds before
hand TO be satisfied with nothing. Such short
sighted men as these, thought iat " ith the COM
pietion of the road, and lCithout another effort,
their fortunes were forthwith made, and that the
trade Of the entire country was secured beyond
a peradventure. Now these same persons are
equally convinced that all is lost, and that Alton
is henceGOrth TO be mere interpediatc point be-
tween St. Louis and Springfield. Their expect
ations in the first place were as unsubstantial as
their fears now are without foundation.
From such, this "hue and cry" against the
Railroad Company, because secret reports are
in circulation, that it is seeking to run its track
to the river, establish wharf-boat there, and
employ its own drays, was Of course to be eX-
pected. There is, however, no foundation for
them, and they are too ridiculous to be contra
dicted When the Company asks such privi-
leges from our city, it will then be time enough
to talk and raise an excitement. Alton will then
pursue such a course in respect to them, as a
dignifed regard for herself may require.
We are no apologist for the Alton and Sanga-
mon Railroad Company. What we say is not
with the intention of vndcating its action, or
extenuating the course of its directors. We
speak what we feel to be true, and founded in
reason. The prejudice, which is attempted TO
be raised against the road, is wholly premature
and unwarranted by the facts, and, we believe,
does not reflect the sentiments Of the calm-thnk
ing, moderate, and more calculating portion of
our citizens. It's, in great measure, ill-timed,
.ill-judged and impolhic.
Nothing remarkable has occurred in regard
to the business Of the road The disappoint-
, ment is not entirely, or even considerably, the
, result of the course pursued by the Company
! 1t originates rather i'll the wild anticipatlons of
a portion of our citizens 1t was a mistaken
notion, which they entertained, that with the
opening of the road the trade of St. Louis would
be greatly reduced, and that we would thence
forth sit in our counting-rooms and control the
,, , business of the country.
Cities are not built in day-trade is not es-
tablished in the twinkling OF an eye. Time is
| required in the building up of both. We speak
! with confidence when we say that Alton stare:
, bright future in the face; but it will require an
effort our part to make the omen good. II
, we would compete successfully with the mer-
chants Of other cities, we must offer the same
inducements. We can afford to give as good
prices for produce here as are given in st. Lou
is; and ca, receive groceries and furnish good:
h here, direct from the Eastern and SouherI
! markets, cheaper than after a transhipment at
i, St. Louis; and if we do not control large
, share of the wholesale business Of the interior
: the fault will be at our own door.
4 We have within ourselves every facility fol
; carrying on a large and liberal business, and our
C wholesale groeers, jobbing merchants and pro
duce dealers are already feeling the beneficial
Il effects of the Alton and Sangamon Railroad il
# a very unmistakable manner. The fall trade
r has opened earlier than usual and under tn,
most promising auspices. Itis destined to be IL
every respect larger than ever before, and viii
continue with each return TO increase and eX
;, tend Our merchants are entering into sue
; cessGul competition with those of other cities
n and every department of trade is invgorateC
and strengthened by the opening Of the road in
stead of being in the slightest degree wedkene,
IS by it, as portion Of our citizens have been et
l. to imagine.
= Galphinism.
The exact amount Of tho deficit OF the lat
nj Locofoco State Treasurer, Peter q. Glover, a