Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-16


the st. Joseph route is l3 27-l00
IL these computations are correct, ST.
Joseph is in effect 400 miles nearer New
York than Kansas, and $50 miles nearer
than ST. louis = or, in other words, the
same charge for transportation from New
York to Kansas, via Cincinnati and ST.
Louis, would convey ton of goods from
New York 400 miles beyond St. Joseph,
via the, ST. Joseph and New York route.
These are but Incidental circumstances,
calculated TO embrace the national impor-
lance Of this work, yet, If the prospective
advantages TO be derived from them are
never reaIzed,-itis evident that no extra.
neous aid is necessary to sustain it. To be
convinced of this fact we have only to re-
cur to the unsurpassed fertility Of the soil
its adaptation to all the products of the
climate its inexhaustible mines OF coal,
and its superior conformity of surface to
the economical construction Of the pro-
posed work. The correctness Of this con
cusion is rendered still more apparent,
from a review of the important works in
the United States, row proposed and in
process of construction; many of which
pass through districts of country far inIe
Tior in susceptibility of improvement and
equality OF surface requisite TO practical
utility; yet, they are projected and under
taken vii tina confident and reasonable rel-
ance upon their becoming profitable invest
ments.
In 1916, estimated upon data Of reliable
character, the cost OF transportation on
the Missouri river amounted to 81 100000
per annum. This was previous to the
emigration to California. Six hundred
thousand dollars of this amount, it was es-
Gmated would have accrued to the Hanni-
bal and st. Joseph Railroad if then in ope-
ration, including the transportation deriva-
BILE from a district of country eighty miles
west Of Hannibal, which is not tributary
to the Missouri river. This would leave
q deficiency Of $4,000 per annum in the
amout of receipts necessary to pay the an
terest on cost &c. Since 1916, the popV-
iaton and the products of the country have
very much increased. That they will in
crease ia still greater ratio in the next five
years, is not an unreasonable expectation
Even under existing circumstances, without
the facilities Afforded by the aid of cheap
and certain communication, the country Is
rapidly improving. As an evidence OF this
fact, will instance Hannibal and st. Jo-
seph, both cities of comparatively recent
date, al. the terrnini of this work, and now
cities Of considerable Importance. The
former, situated on The Mississippi river, is
sustained by thickly settled country, uh-
der high state of cultivation, Astounding
in all the elements Of wealth while ST.
Joseph, at the western extremity, is city
OF so recent origin, that its locality is only
shown on the maps of the latest date, it is
nov the second city in Missouri. Its growth
is unparalleled, with but few exceptions
Judging of the future by the past, no further
evidence need be adduced of the great
practical value of this work, both to the
stockholders and to the public, when the
natural and artificial resources Of the coun
try are further developed by its operation
The great importance of this work, there
fore, evidently demands that all cOnsidera
lions should be thrown aside which are cal
'culated to impair its practical efficiency, 81
that the natural advantages of the route
can be rendered available in the highest de
gree. ~
Respectfully, Your ob't servant,
JAMES M. BUCKLIN,
Chat Enr;Oeo,.