Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-12-09
Railroads in Iowa.

Railroads in Iowa.
II is impossible TO say what will be
done or attempted 10 be done this winter,
in relation to the yexed questions of our
railroads. Il can hardly be supposed
that question that haa elected so much
feeling; marred and made so manv po-
litical fortunes, and been so mixed up
with almost every question in the State,
is TO be suffered to sleep now, leaving
Iowa closed forever, on account of the
quarrels of her politicians, and the rival
ry Of her great cities, to the iron horse,
the great desideratum Of the age. Ii
were shame to suppose anything of
the kind; but the whole subject seems
now 10 be SO environed with diff
and uncertainties, that we can get and
give no satisfactory light on the subject
We certainly could wish to see, what
we most sincerely counsel, a spirit of
mutual concession and compromise, a.
mong those who have, or fancy they
have, interests at stake; but such is the
dog in the manger tendency of the times,
that we have little 10 hope from the exer-
else OF any such a spirit on the part OF
the friends of the numerous riva! pro-
jects.
One thing, in the mean time, is GER
tain; events won't wait moment on
our quarrels; things piH push along,
and keep moving; and the public lands,
which we expect to build our railroads,
will by sales and perhaps free grants to
settlers, be growing small by degrees
and beautifully less. The signs of the
times clearly indicate. that sore sweep
ing disposition will soon be made of the
entire public domain, and hence those
who would secure aid from that source
for their improvements, mus, be up and
doing.
Our portion of the State, particularly
the portion south and west of the Des
Moines River, seems by the way not
to have been particularly cared for in
making up the railroad programme OF
the State; and consequently we have not
occupied the dIgnified and imposing at
titude of belligerents i'll the railroad war
that has been raging around US. 1t has
been and perhaps is now expected of
us, LIKE the poor boy at the fro,ic. to
occupy the position of spectators, in the
race for improvement, that is absorbing
the attention of the rest of the State;
but as we happen to have considerable
population, and some political strength,
we conjure our Senators and Represen-
tatives to use their influence in favor of
some arrangement by which their Sec
ton OF the State may receive fair
share Of such grants as may be made for
railroad purposes in the State. Let
them look after the interests of the Bur-
lington and Missouri; River Road, the
only scheme yet preached, promis ing
the! least direct benefit to the immense
region south and west of US; region
rapidly settling, and standing now in as
urgent need of an outlet to the markets
Of the country, as any other part Of the
State. II would be well, in the mean
time, TO strengthen the hands and en-
tighten the judgement, of the gentlemen
at Iowa City and Washington, with
resolutions, memorials and petitions al
an early day. We suggest to OIL
friends interested in this matter, the pro.
priesy of immediate action on this sub.
iect; and we also suggest to our ambi
tious commercial emporiums on the
big Drink, who have been fattening
and gorging themselves on the trade oil
the Des Moines Valley, to show US fail
play in the premises; for st Louis il
stretching out her iron arms invisingly
towards us, and if they cast us of, sac
may take US in.