The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-05-25
THE DUBUQUE AND PACIFIC RAIL.
RnAn

There having been an effort made to misrep
resent our position upon this railroad question,
we think it Blu, justice TO ourself and to the en-
terprise, that we should explain. 1t is charged
in certain quarters, that we are opposed to this
project on political grounds and are inimicai to
the interests Of Dubuque. Such charges par
take Of personality and are exceedingly weak
aud silly in themselves. We challenge any
man to cite an instance, where we have by word
or act, gone contrary to the interest of Dubuque
and vicinity and certainly no man, who has
any respect for candor, will come forward and
say, that there is the remo:est Allusion in our
article Of the 18Th to politics. So far from ale
lowing politics to have any influence upon US in
the discussion Of this subject, we have scrupu-
lousy avoided i, when repeatedly thrown at us,
through the columns of an other journal. N,
few words as to the project itself We
have taken ground against Counties becoming
stock holders in these rail road corporations
We have done so, from well settled convic-
ton, that they have no Constitutional right to
do it, and that the policy is bad. Our opinion,
whether right or wrong, is an honest one. We
have the right, and it is our duty to speak out
upon the subject. We have spoken our honest
sentiments, aud if this be an offence, we are
guilty, and must suffer the conse quences.
But let il not be too readily ass umed, that, be
cause we do not approve Of the details Of this
enterprise, we are not friendly to it. We are
friendly to it and hold ourself in readiness to dc
all in our power, individually and through the
columns Of this journal, to advance the enter
prise, by The adoption Of all means Legitimate
and proper. And we may here STATE, that, al
though we have been put in possession Of many
of the details of the enterprise, since article
Of the 18th appeared, which are entirely new to
US, our opinion touching the right and policy Of
counties to become stock holders, is unchanged.
But disposed to give those, who differ with US
upon this subject, the benefit Of full and fair
statement Of their plans, we will briefly state
such particulars as have come 10 our knowledge
With those who may be considered the origin
ators Of this project, it was determined, every
railroad scheme which had ever been brough,
forward in Dubuque, had been talked TO death,
10 confine knowledge of this undertaking to
but few persons, until it could be ascertained
whether such scheme could be carried forward
After two or three months spent IN efforts Of
one kind and an other, such encouragement was
received from abroad, as to leave no room fol
doubt, that, ifsome few hundred thousand dol
lars of credit could be obtained at home, the ba.
sis for a great railroad, running West some
thirty miles, and then branching to Minnesota
and Council Bluffs, would be laid.
Tie result has been, the organization of q
Company, with a proposed capital stock Of
$l0,000,0O0; the election Of Directors, among
whom are two of the heaviest rail road capital
lists of the East; the election Of Col. r. b
Mason, the present able Chief Engineer Of the
Illinois Central Rail Rail Company, to the pos,
Of Chief Engineer; and a favorable PROPOSE
ton from wealthy contractor Of New York, t.
take the bonds Of the Company, running TWEEN.
ty years, al ten per cent. interest, in payment
for constructing the FIRST thirty miles, at reaeon-
able estimates, has been made. We are assured
also, by one OF the Directors, that should the
County vote its credit for two hundred thousand
dollars, the bonds shall not be issued until the
question of its Constitutional right to do 80, has
been settled by The Courts. We have now
stated all the particulars that have come to our
knowledge.
We believe that the enterprise is good one.
and that the community az individuals ought to
investigate the subject carefully, and il they az
rive at the same conclusion, subscribe literally
for carrying it forward. We cannot be toe
watchful of our interests, and Of the efforts ma
king around US, to cut off our trade and cripple
our resources. But at the same time, let US no,
in our eagarness to outstriP all other points and
silence the clamors Of rivalry, confound oul
individual rights and duties, with those Of .
corporate character. There is q very wide dis
tinction between corporate, and individual
rights. The privileges of corporation are de-
fined by law, while those of an individual are
regulated BY his own intelligence and his rela-
tions with his fellow men. An individual may
pledge his credit for any amount people choose
to receive it for, bal It is not the case with all
corporations, and the Counties Of our State, in
our judgment, come within this rule.
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OUsrED.-Mr. Cor, sitting member in the
Connecticut House Of Representatives from
Middletown, was unseated on the 18th inst, by
. vote of wo-thirds, on the ground that he wa.
not legally elected. Mr.. ABELL was admitted
in his stead.
Az ISvEsrIoArIoS.-The Secretary Of the
Treasury is about sending commission to Cali
fornia TO Investigate the contacts already entei
ed into by the Government fl the purchase o
land for naval depot, custoni house for bondee
goods, a mint, and other buildings.
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