The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-05-03
straiyhtL.ne Raiuroax, =.

straight Line Railroad.
The following remarks of the N. Y. Rail-
road Advocate prefaced Hon. o. H. Smiths
letter to that paper, and should have been
published with it in the Journal:
Were there any force in hard words they
might be justly applied to the Railroad Jour.
nal. But such weapons, proper in few cases
are less than all others effective upon that
sheet. BY its offensive assertions of its
opinions, but still more by its wilful perver-
sion of facts it has drawn upon * enough in
dgnant reproof, cutting criticism, and hon.
est denunciaton. Treated according to its
merits it deserves only contempt. But few
culumniators are without the power to do
harm. To this end the Journal exists in a
fitting element. AS the agent of extortion,
the representative ofIhose who daily prac-
tice phlebotomy upon our railroads, the
Journal finds steady and abundant employ
ment. Were this the true position of that
sheet-everywhere understood, its ISLANDERS
would be harmless. But those who recolect
its original character, before it went over to
the influence which now possesses it,, still
believe that there must exist some reason
able cause for its severity; and, wherever
circumstances may give this view an appar-
ent foundation in one case, they think that
it may be equally well founded in others.
We have show repeatedly how, in attack
| ing the credit of necessitous railroad COM
pany, it is subjected to heavier shaves in sell
ing its bonds. This is the real object of the
larger part Of the structures now visited upon
new railroad companies. And il is matter
of common notorIeiy that the Railroad Jour
nal is under the influence OF the class of men
whose profits are increased by this policy.
Among numberless distinctions raised by
the organ under notice, is that against nearly
all new railroads in the West, that they are
| in advance Of the wants Of that portion of
the country. This is wholly matter OF
opinion, and, is incapable of exact proof or
disproof. II it be urged that the stocks OF
Western roads are in many cases depressed.
it may be said, so are those of correspond
ing number of Eastern roads. Many of the
western roads are incompleted, and are
standing beneath considerable debts. A
fina ncial pressure has more effect in depress-
ing their stocks, for tina, reason, than CT those
OF Eastern roads.
The Journal, however, acknowledge, in
its paper of March 18th, 1854, that the
Evansville, Indianapolis and Cleveland road
was fair exception to the class of roads
not believed to be necessary for the wants of
the West. The Journal then said of this
road editorially:
"This work is in the hands Of energetic
and experienced men, resolved to put it
through at the earliest possible day. The
subscriptions of the cities and individuals on
the line are, we understand large; upon which
the company are preparing bonds TO limited
amount, TO aid in the rapid construction of
the work.
"Although this is a new line, yet the i'm
portance of its connections and the aid it
will afford the roads already built. with which
it will be the connecting link, will make it an
exception to the remarks we have made to
the construction Of nsio works at this time"
The Journals opinion is worth little, as it
is generally compounded oftheory and selfish
ness. 1t is never practical; and is generally
for the reasons given, but the expression of
its subservience to the professed money lem
ders of this city. We give the above ex-
tract only TO expose the inconsistency in
which it has lately marked down in advance,
the above roads "unproductive.
/ We might say few more words upon the
conduct of the Journal in its present attack
upon the above read. In its number of
March 3lst il made as many six missta,e-
ments relative TO the road-all of which can
be proved TO have been wilully made
! These were promptly corrected in our own
columns by the President of the road. In
the last number of the Journal it acknowl-
edges that its course has drawn censure
upon it from interested parties" 1t neith-
er denies the "censure" (for this was only
disproof,) nor does it acknowledge its own
sins.
What can be said of such sheet! What
words will lash hide callous to the sensa-
tons of ordinary punishment! Who will
discuss with it the grounds of its own SLAM
ders? Like rogue beyond arrest who mas
forfeited all decent federation, it must still
be suffered to practice its vices upon those
/ ignorant of its character.
II may be reasonably asked il the vindica-
ton of the road under notice requires so
thorough an exposure of its enemy. We re-
pei the inference by disclaiming the
championship Of this one or any other road
I In behalf of the entire railroad interests of
this country--in behalf of each rood which
has a name. TO cherish and credit to pre-
serve, success to achieve, we shall do what
we con TO exhibit the character of hire
! ling sheet, which loses no chance to throw
| suspicion upon all roads alike.
The true facts in regard to the bonds
I now offered by the Evansville and lndianaP-
j oils road, are given in the letter OF y. II.
Smith Esq, which we publish to day. We
institute no comparison ofthe value of these
! and other securities. The avenues OF infor-
nation are open to all. We have SO far ex-
| ami nod ,l,c 90 .. Alton ,g this road as In hn.