The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-02-02

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As our citizens generally feel lively interest
in all that pertains to the difficulty between our
Gnlena neighbors and the Central Rail Road
Company, we give the following exhibit Of tho
chief cause Of complaint which presents itself to
the former.
We extract from the Galena Advertiser Of
the 9th.
GALENA AND THE CENTRAL RAIL-
ROAD.
In the various communications of MIR. NEALs
to those who act on the part of the city in rela-
ton to the matter at issue between the city and
the company which they represent, with sim
/ gle exception, allusion is made to the Prin-
| cipat objection which is felt by our citizens to
| allowing the railroad to pass through the city,
on the favorite line of the engineers, namely the
| necessity that swould follow for buitding O.
Bridge across oar R.rer at The Portage. Other
things are referred to and discussed with much
good sense and shrewdpess, and in many citi-
zens coincide fully in their views with Mr..
Neal. But the point which he does not tax
upon happens to be, in fact, the material point
at issue.
| To those who are unacquainted with all tie
particulars of our geography short explanation
| may be necessary, in order to give clear COM
| prehenslon Of the case. Fevre River, about one
mile and half above the city, is small stream
of pure water, fordabe any where, running with
rapid current; but here it meets the waters
of the Mississippi, when it suddenly becomes
| q deep BAY is where it meets the strong cur
rent of that river. Steamboats, in time of low.
water have no difficulty in navigating that than
they do in navigating the main channel OF the
Mississippi The waters, here at Galena, rise
and tall with the main river.
When the main river rises, say an inch
day, whatever is thrown loose upon its sur.
face floats upward, while contrary effect fol-.
lows from contrary cause. While this cur
rent is sufficient to purify the waters, it is not
strong enaugh to offer any inconvenience TO
shipping, and the banks on both sides are en-,
ough to offer any inconvenience to shipping, and
the banks on both sides are high enough to af-
ford perfect shelter from the winds. 1t con-
sequently makes one of the best, if not the very
best harbor on the Mississippi river from its
mouth to its source. This bay is about four
miles in length. The town of Gaena is built
at its head, and contained according to the GEN.
sus in 1851, near seven thousand inhabitants.
Such is our geographical position in these par
ticulars
Now, the Central Railroad company ask per.
mission to enter Gaena on the East side OF the
River, to pass through with locomotive engines
down on that side about four miles and there TO,
construct Railroad Bridge on which to cross
at the very mouth of the Bay. Onr citizens
seriouslytG honestly believe that there would be
viewing the subject in the most favorable light
] for the company danger Of obstructing the
navigation of our River by the building OF such
> Bridge. We here ask any and every men,
s Der ofthat company, it we are not right IN our.
decided hesitation not to move one step that.
o can by any possibility be construed into on as
d SENT directly or indirectly, to such an act un-
less and until the subject can be placed in such
this point. There is not an impartial man IN
q the world that would not decide for u.s.
1t is answered by the company, that if such .
s Bridge be sucn obstruction, ace can Tem0ce
! 1t By lao under the Ordinance Of 1887. This
r argument is all good, as far as goes. and it was
doubtless the intention Of trainers that, as re-
T. medy in such cases, il should reach the whole
length of the wrong, but we have all seen that,
judging by the practice under it, it is short at
!, both ends. By that Ordinance are part of
$ Wisconsin: the practice under it makes US
a part of Illinois. What Is our remedy? What
is it good for i? Nothing at all. BY that Ordi.
: nance, the Supreme Court of the United States
after years of litigation and delay, order tho
q Wheeling Biidge to be torn down: whereuP.
!, on, Congress throws over it its protection as
post-road, to the same effect, for aught that we
can see, tHdL IOHOWeu It's uCtiOA WHICH VIC 49,
declared, in plain defiance of the same Ordi.
: nance, to belong to Illinois. Whatever right
we may have acquired by State Legislation to
4 abate such nuisance, we have not examined !;
but whatever it may be it must be kept sacred
to the protection of our commercial rights and
:. interests, if never needed. 1t may be answer
$ ed likewise: II such bridge proves such an
obstruction as is feared, it would be torn down
by the right of the strongest. While we would
not warrant the temper of our people in such q
case to abstain, we should never lean on any
# thing for safety but legal reliance. Quarrels
/ are the easiest settled before thy commence.
In this case one will be avoided by our citizens,
o fit can possibly be done with honor and self
respect.
Some may suppose that the route on the East
side of the river is the only practicable route,
and the crossing at the Portage the only place
for crossing. This is not SO. There is prac-
ticable route on the Vest side Of the Rtrer, and
the company have been invited by the City
s Council TO negotiate for the same, crossing a-.
It bove the city, or any where within its corpo-
e rate limits extending one mile.