Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1853-1853, 1853-03-19
HANNIBAL AND ST. JOSEPH RAILROAD.
Concluded,

to obtain, Of the acts and doings Of their agents,
these directors,) has il that the report Of the
Ship Engineer, is in favor Of the Southern route
by ninety thousand dollars. The Captain, in
the forecaste, with his spirit level, is quite COM
petent to decide his instrument is Of fine scien-
tifc construction, being composed Of flask Of
excellent Brandy.
But it is now eI ident that the Engineers have
been under the influence Of Hannibal and st.
Joseph, and that the main object has been to
leave Palmyra out Of the line Of the survey, and
they have done it.
Six weeks were spent on the middle line from
Hannibal to Bloomington, while the Southern
line was run from Bloomington to the grand
curve, near Palmyra in eight days. The grade
line has been raised in the scale Of the Southern
line, above that of the line by Shelbyvillo and
Bloomington numerous curves were made on
this line where there was no necessity for
them. Madam Rumor has it that a much bet
ter grade was found on the Southern line this
we know is false. The elevation Of the coun-
try is the same, and this giving out proves the
fact that the grade line has been raised in the
profile scale. By doing this, and running near
| ly on tangent as they have done, hills and
hollows to the contrary notwithstanding, will
give data from which to show q favorable re-
port, on either route.
We know, that by this kind Of management
the result can be varied to suit those who con-
troll it upon any two lines having the same gen.
eral elevation.
| This has been done before, aud has been done
here. The southern line has been run nearly
upon direct like from Hannibal TO st. Joseph
and comes within about eight miles Of running
the whole route. Opposite 10 Palmyra, two
sudden curves are made forming the counter
part to each other, and running up to Palmyra
like the sides Of Church Stecpe.
| This company has not stock sufficient TO
build ten miles Of this road, which they have
subscribed ;-one and half millions are furn-
ished by the State, through the influence of the
people on the supposed line and about one mil
lion more given by the people, which, in all
probability, could be realized from the grant of
land. The means of the people are to be used
as engines to shatter, and destroy what property
they have left. Two prominent objects are in
view, by this board: No l.. To leave out Pal
myra, or lay track across tina! Church Steeple.
No 2. To run the road so us to ruin the COUNTY
Seats, that thereby they can speculate in the
building up OF new towns upon the very land
which the people gave them.
The new locations they can control most er-
fectually, by the location of their depots. This
also, has been done before, and will be done
here. And not only so, but after building IN
one place so as to sell out all their lots, other
companies have removed the Depot 10 another
place, and played the same game over again.
The charter OF this road is wretohedly derec.
tive, has been made worse, by amendment, and
has not organized this company upon judicious
plan!
The road has been made to play farce in
politics, and all sides Of political triangle ha.
served as a Hob-Horse to ride into Office, upor
the back of which one certain Bob Stewart ha.
been mounted for the last six years.
The action OF the board, so far as the secre
conclave can be understood, has betrayed weak
ness, servility and sefshness at every step, an,
will ultimately ruin the road, squander the pub
lie lands given to it, and plunge the State in deb
about half a million, and let the work fall Ipoy
the State in the end, not one tenth part finished
They have lost two hundred thousand dollars b,
! this location.
f Seventy.fv thousand dollars of stock sub
i scribed by the counties of Shelby, Macon an,
Linn, lost. And the Swamp Lands in thest
counties which would have been subscribed
worth at least one hundred and twenty -fv
thousand all lost TO the road, by the mos
unjust, iniquitous conduct which ever set O
men were guilty Of
This board has committed breach of faitl
/, which amounts to little less than downright
e swindling. These counties subscribed seventy
five thousand dollars upon the condition that tn
y road should not be located preiudcial to thei
: county seats. The company accepted it with tn
condition annexed, and received two or tire
Thousand dollars of the money.