Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-01-22
Glasgow and Huntsville Plank Road.
For the Times,

WTlteT attempts 10 suStdlll tIle ClalllS vi tlle
"Southern or Ridge route" over the ''Nor-
thern or Bear creek route" for the contcm-
plated Plank Road from Glasgow to Hunts
vile. On reading "Agricola" the first en-
quiry that suggested ITSELF was, who is
"Agricola''? This question is natural
enough, if we judge of work by the author,
a rule, / believe, almost universally prac-
ticed and respected. Thus for instance, if
work or science, or morals, or any other
subject is recommended 10 us we enquire
after the qualifications Of the author, and if
we are satisfied Of his capacity, his talents,
his learning, sc. &c, we esteem the work
valuable and peruse 1t confident Of being edi-
fled and instructed. By the same rule we
judge OF any article involving our interest,
or upon which public opinion may be dvi-
ded. Should the author possess ability and
discernment and withal be diSinteregted and
a man whose Judgment is not likely to be led
by his interest, then we place confidence in
his opinions, and adopt them as circumstan-
ees will allow. II on the other hand we re-
gard him as interested, and man whose
opinions may be warped by his interest, we
lay aside his article as being entitled 10 but
little respect or confidence.
Thus you see, il the above rules be cor
rect, that the question of identity, as it re-
CARDS "Agricoa" becomes an important one.
The subject has been, to some extent, can
vassed for the last few days: some attribut-
ing the article to gentleman in Glasgow,
while others assign tito one in the vicinity.
/ am aware that should ! agree with those
who assign the article to the latter, that
should subject myself to the charge of being
gratuitous. For when the subject of the
road was first seriously agitated this same
gentleman, who is supposed by many to be
'Agrcola,' very strongly opposed the pro-
jcct, assigning as his reasons, that it would
greatly increase the value of lands in the
interior, and thereby proprortionably de-
crease the value OF those near the River
That produce would become cheaper on the
river as farmers, at distance, whose lands
cost but five or six dollars per acre, would
be able TO sell cheaper than those near town
whose lands cost twenty to twenty-five
dollars per acre. These arguments were
urged with great skill and force, but ''none
SO blind that did not see" that personal inter-
est and not the general prosperity was in this
instance the moving cause.
The next we heard Of our supposed 'Agri
cola was, that there would be no Plank
Road built, that under the delay in making
= the surveys the Clever" had abated and th>
stock could not be obtained.
After the surveys had been nearly com
plcted, our author suddenly abandons thu
r above system of augmentation and in grea
confidence mounted the hobby, Damages,
- insisting that he would be entitled to larg,
> damages should the road be located on I'll,
Ridge. His determination TO oppose the 10
Y cation of the road on the ridge unless large
" compensated in the way Of damages wa
n avowed for time, but finding but little ia
|, vor and but little apprehension on the sub
:, cct as the adrantages as well as diSadran
4 tagcs are TO be considered, we are informe,
c he has abandoned this plea and has cvel
S consented to take stock rather than fail t.
y locate the road on the ridge, which W
i suppose true, as you will perceive he ha
q, r Al
n route.
G If the foregoing be correct and the abov
: mentioned rules be applied, | submit III
: above claims of ''Agricola" to the intelli
It CONT community interested who will awar
o to lis article that consideration which
Il merits.
O But is it not strange that one who is en-
tirely uninterested (for | am informed h
has not subscribed single dollar of stock,
should so disintcreStedly argue away impor
y tant interests and gravely undertake to en-
|. enlighten stockholders as TO their own
: When speak of important interests, l al
y lude to those stockholders who reside on til
c Northern" route between j. Harrison an
$ P. lIally who nobIy came forward, onthe frs
opening Of the Books, and subscribed stock
r not knowing that they would even obtain
n survey to suit their views, much less the 10
d cation of the road. Had they, and others tia
Il might be named, been as tardy in their friend
IN ship, we should never have been able TO cor
struct the road. One would have suppose
,e that molesty, to say nothing Of other consid
as erations, should have induced ''Agricola
oil to Withhold his pen, at least, until he had BE-
re come interested by subscribing stock.
.. But the question OF interest. do not S