The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-11-18
T HE MINI ESOTIA n
WEDNESDAY MORNING, NOV. is, 1854.
81, Paul and the River Trade.

9UalusI inc CEicAid dIU luiuuSSotAA ~ShSs SOhh-
pany. Blu: as strongly and decidedly as the
editor writes, we are compelled to say he but
rejects the sentiments of nine-tenths Of the
bus.n SIS men of ST. Paul. There has not been
~ arrival scarcely Of any Of the packets since
last July, tina. We have not heard bitter COM
plaiats By some one or more who had business
to transact on board and we believe that any
day since that time. very large majority of
those of 81, Paul who were Induced to patro-
nize the packets, would have been glad to with
draw entirely from giving them any encour-
ageuent whatever. Still, we are also compelled
70 say that the boats are ofthe first order; those
having them in charge are men entirely COM
petent to discharge their duties the owners OF
the line are capable and shrewd business men
and so far as we are individually concerned,
We have never received anything but kindness
and accommodating treatment from all connect
ed with the line. But editors are not their
own representatives !; and we have duty to
perform, which We shall do without fear or IA
vor. The people of Minnesota rely upon the
Press ofMinnesOta to protect their business in
teres;s; aad as we never have played the lag
gard in this respect, We will not now.
The trite and homely old adage runs "Set
q beggar on horseback, and he will ride to the
devil" Ten or fifteen years ago, before this
upper country commenced to settle, the Gale
mans were no better OF for steamboats, than
St. Paul is now. They had to depend upon
their internal resources, to keep them alive
Some Of her shrewd, enterprising men, saw
anon what the country above them would be
in few years, and that steamb, ating in these
upper waters was a sure road to fortune
They went into it. and the sequel we all know.
b. Icing united among themselves, they have
made a monopoly: and an up-country citizen
has row almost to fight to get pound offreight
aboard any other boat at their wharf,eyen tho he
be compelled TO pay double price on the packets
Before tie monopoly was complete, such was
not the case. Bat row, when they suppose
to Use the expression of one Of there own men
they have got us tight we might as we'll
expect mercy al the hands of the most implaca-
bic enemy that man ever had on earth as from
them. The past season has been much
more Illustrative Of this fact than any previous
"a,
plants, loud and deep. came up to us in regard
to this or that ''skianing operation" by the
Company, how sensible men, even in the hey
day of their prosperity, could be so foolish and
short-sghted. Do they expect We of Minneso-
IA will stand imposition forever? Verify they
are On their way to the destination of the
mounted beggar and the sooner they are con-
WINGED ofth:s fact, the better for themselves
and for all concerned
Calena is the most decided specimen of a
spoiled child We have ever known Those who
have supported and clothed her, have so long
given way to her whims, that she has grown in
to the belief they must forever wade those six
miles up her muddy slough, leaving the chan
mel OF the Great Mississippi. merely on purpose
OF continuing the gra:uity at her will and for
her pleasure and profit st. Paul, particularly,
is ever sure TO incur her enmity and abuse, if
We dare whisper that it is our interest to de-
clare our independence Of her. Some of her
citizens have, the past season. taken especial
pains to prejudice strangers against st. Paul.
No plan for the advancement of ST. Paul's pros.
perity can be proposed, but the Press of Galena
arrays itselfin opposition. and falls to hector
ing and scolding in style that would do cred
II to the veriest shrew on earth. Itwould seem
that large proportion of that town has come
to the conclusion that Galena owns st. Paul :
and we must stop, stand still. or 60 ahead in
answer only to Galena's bidding. Is this envy
is 1t hatred-or is it self-interest. In either
event Galena must be TIE loser in the end.
But what we wish to come at is this: Now
Is the time for 81. Paul to move in the matter
OF new line Of steamboats next season. Navi-
cation is about closing, and the winter season
Is time OF leisure with boatmen, and period
OF consultation for future plans Let there at
once be an understanding with Dubuque, Rock
Island, DC, and the different railroad compa-
mics which tap the Upper Mississippi The
6aienians tell foolish story, that the Illinois
Central Company do not intend for the present
to complete the portion of their road between
Galena and Dunleiih. This is all hoax, got
ten up to throw impediments in the way of st
Paul and Dubuque enterprise, and to sell Ga
lena property, for the time, at Oh figures. To
give no other reason why the Company must
finish the road through as soon as possible, we
presume they have sagacity sufficient to see
that the harbor O. of Galcna cannot accommo-
date onehalf of their business, alone-to say
nothing of any other busness-atter the cars
commence running through from Cairo. By
depending upon Galena as terminating de-
pot, they would lose more in business in one
year than their seven per cent. to the State
would amount to in two. The Central people
are thorough business men, and can see this
fact at glance.
And again. the Airline Road from Chicago
not the so-cailcd Galena and ST. Charles Air
Line-will, in all probability, be opened
through from Chicago to Fulton City, on the
Mississippi, some fifty miles below Galena, bv
the opening of navigation next spring. This is
IN airline road, in fact as well as in name
quite different affair from the proposed Gale
M Tete-des-Morts ams-horn. 1t is to be a
frst-class road, and the through time on it will