Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-04-14
From the New Albany Tribune.
NEW Albany AND MADIsoN--AND THErf
PAILRoAD INTE RESTS.

AT railroad meeting recently held
At Eaton, Ohio, called doubtless ut the
instance Of our Madison friends, Gen.
SrlPP Of that ,ity being principa speak
er, the following resolution was adop-
ted:
"On motion OF +. J. Lassh, IL was
unanimously resolved, That this meet
ing hold IL to be the true policy to make
Madison, Indiana, point on this great
thoroughiare from the N. e. to che s.
w. and il is hereby urged upon the d.
rectors OF said road to consummate such
location
This Mr.. Larsh, upon whose motion
the above resolution was adopted is the
editor OF the Eaton Register, who from
the beginning, has some how or other
allowed his zeal for the interests of Mad
ison TO outrun his knowledge Of the dif-
liculties with which the subject il envi-
roned. In his editorial remarks. which
may be found in another column, he says
the differences between New Albany
and Madison must be compromised, and
he intimates that the difficulty lies in
spirit of local prejudice and rivalry be-
tween the two ciIies. II he means 10
apply this to New Albany he does her
great injustice indeed. II certainly
would be greatly 10 the interests of New
Albany, commercially considered 10
make Madison in the direct line of our
road to the Lake; and so far as we under
stand the feelings of our people they all
desire TO make that point on this great
thoroughiare, provided il were practical
Bile, keeping in view directness Of route,
lowness of grade. cheapness Of construc-
ton, and the general interest of the road
They cannot conceive how any incl
dental benefits that might accrue IS
Madison by the construction of this road
thro' gh that city, could possibly inuro
to the injury OF New Albany. If then
there is any feeling OF jealousy or sci,
tishness In the way il must be with our
friends OF Maids on. Their policy hae
been from the beginning, to stop the road
at Madison, and then have water commu-
nication TO the Falls, or cross the river
at that point and connect with the Lou.
isville aud Covington road on the Ken
heN"s oioNs OhA POltt1 Udo OttH 10 COM
tlLue the road on the indiana side to the
loot ol the Falls, opposite Portland, and
to accommodate Madison by forming
connection with them Immediately on
the nlll, where are located all the work.
shops OF their NJ. a. 1. II. X. Co, or at
any other point practicable, as they may
prefer, between that place and Versailles
'Ihaaa mr. "a. a..
and again, last Fall, and TO our personal
knowledge they were admitted by Gen.
Stapp, the gentleman who addressed
the meeting at Eaton, to be the only
practicable basis Ola compromise that
could be offered or adopted.
But our good friend OF the Eaton Reg
ister says there should be but one road
from the Falls TO the Lake. In that we
agree with him. And this road he thinks
should have ts starting point at New
Albany, and pass directly through the
city OF Madison. Agreed again, ii such
thing be practicable, without sacril-
cling the vitality OF the great enterprise.
But he seems 10 be so well posted up in
regard to the topography OF the country
about Madison, that he can see no diff
Guilty In the way OF its accomplishment.
Aud here we are constrained TO differ
with him. We certainly see difficulties
in the way-formidadle ditiiculties-but
perhaps not altogether insurmountable. /
And what are they! Why chief anon 7
them are the high hills with which che is
surrounded on all sides but one. From
high water mark at the steamboat wharf
to the top Of the hill at North Madison,
keeuinp the track OF the M.and /. Rail- |
road. Is an ascent OF 405 feet. To over
come this n plane has been constructed
NJ grade OF 3ss feet TO the mile. This
plane lost the state S296,69l; and how
much has been expended on Il since II
has fallen into the hands OF the present
company, 10 lay ng down cog track aud
other fixtures, we cannot tell. But the |
presump mption IL, that altogether, Il has
cost little under S350,000, being a little
over one mile In length. To run this
plane, Il is siid TO cost about as much as
il does TO run the balance OF the road
to Indianapolis. Son eihing over year
ago, the company determined to avoid
this plane by cons,ructiT g a track run
ming down the river in the direction OF
South Hanover, and by tunnelling two
spurs of the mountain, reach the summit
some three or tour miles northwest Of !
Madison, at a maximum grade OF % feet
10 the mile. Alter spending some $500,