Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-09-16
Grants of Land for Railroads.

we will be "out of the woods" Will you
help?
= Grants Of Land for Railroads. i
The Dubuque Herald and Burlington Tel
cgrurh are having fine sport among them
selves in discussing the Importance Of OBJ
tanning grants for railroad purposes. They
have not yet quite concluded whether they
had better call the Legislature together, or
summon State Convention, or discuss the
matter wholly through the press. For what
purpose they propose obtaining the grants
will be more fully understood by the fol-
lowing statement from the Burlington Tie
graph: ,...# .5.-s
<"Whcn referring, in the first instance, to
this subject, we had more especialreference
to the three great lines across the State,
viz: from Burlington, from Davenport and
Dubuque, each Of which, if any, have pow.
erful claims upon the generosity of Con-
gress and we think that upon these three
lines, traversing centrally their respective
sections, public opinion could readily and
fairly concentrate, as other portions, desir-
Gus Of connections, could easily avail them
selves of thcm by short branch roads. In
this view of tho case, weak and and incon-
siderable points, which could at present
make no pretensions, might in short time
be enabled to reap, indirectly at least, all
the advantages Of grant for their respac-
tive localities. For instance, TT. Madison,
Keokuk and keosauqua, could ultimately
Join the Burlington road--Muscatine could
tap the Davenport road, and the small towns
north Of Davenport could do the same-so
H. AL
south of the Dubuque road. With these
three great lines established as bases of our
operations, we cannot see but that all Sec
tions would sooner or later enjoy all the
railroad facilities which their commerce
would require, or which the most ambitious
among them could reasonably expect -
4 Muscatine "being weak and inconsider-
fable point could at present make no pre-
TENSIONS" but might ''tap the Davenport
road!'' Muscatine Scan make no preten-
sions % We thank thee, Jc,os,for teaching
us that word. No, gentlemen, the citizens
OF Muscatlne arc not so presumptIous as to
make s'pretensions' concerning the 1,ture
of their city. 1t makes no fictitious APP
pearance by arrogant 'spretensions' te lure
the ignorant emigrant to settle therein. Its
present advantages and its future prospects
stand right out in bold relief, and makes
no hypocritical 'spretension." Ii Muscatine
is such "weak and inconsiderable point"
We can yet exhibit an enterprise, without
"pretensions," that is not excelled in the
State.
Burlington, Davenport and Dubuque,
each have powerful claims upon the gener-
csity of Congress- Gentlemen, how do
you make that out? What have those cities
ever done that they should be taken under the
especial protection of Congress? Are they
jealous of their thriving neighbors, and
cry out to Congress, as did Cesar when
buffeting with the waves, ''help me-, Cassius,
or sink ?" If such be the case, they are
every way worthy National assistance, and
all the local "pretensions" the prolific brains
OF their citizens can invent.
"Muscatine can tap the Davenpsrt
roadr' Thank you, geauemen, for in
forming US of that inc timabls privilege;
We win give you credi: for this act Of dis
interested friendship, and xill requite the
debt, by telling you that you can esch tap
Mad creek and obtain as many fresh water
pollywogs as the most avaricious among
you could desire. The railroads that we
built are main trunks, and we intend to
push them through as rich and fertile coun-
try as there is in the werld, to the Missouri
river. We shall construct short roads I'd
various towns in the interior, and this wd
Will do while Burlington and Dubuque, with
their arms cling ng to Uncle Sans coat tai, J
are whining for pap, pap, pap!
Gentlemen, We hope. you will have a good
time in obtaining an expression of public
opinion concerning this lanl grant FROM
government in whatever mode you may
adopt for the purpose. We nope yon will
succeed, for We love to soc our towns pros
pering but if, in the plenitude of your
wisdom, you shall not deem it expsdient to
take Mascatine into your omnibus as
passenger, we shall, il we find it necessary,
hitch up our own coach and four, and our
load being lighter, may outstrp you on the
road But we hope that whatever may be
the result of your deliberations, and grave
discussions, you will spare all ssweak and
incensidcrable points, and allow them to
90 on in the seven tenor of their way"
making no "pretensions' or ambitious
aspirations. -
ETJ. ". Chenowith has been taking this
paper about fourteen months, at Marengo,
Iowa, without paying a cent for it, and, as
we are informed by the postmaster, has
lately left that place for parts unknown
Look out for him. he's mean enough to do
anything mean.
PROGRESS OF THE BIC Ox.-The Davenport
Gazette, after copying paragraph from
our paper in relation to the big OK, SINUS
catine,' adds:
ssrhe above animal passed by this place
on Tuesday and was pronounced by all who
saw it, the largest OK they ever had beheld.
Muscatine can take the Premium"
TaAsKs--To Ii. ID. La. Cossitt, clerk of
the regular packet J. Mckee, for late St.
Louis papers.
Also, to q. w. Farmer, for late New Or
4 : lsA n