The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1855-12-20
I Esiiinrial Cnrrosnnndenc.
RkLoIT. Wis, Dee. IS,


around to something like an Arctic winter
no snow, because it is too cold TO snow, but
the heavy banks of iron-grav clouds breathe
out their fercess furles, and venturesome pc
destrlans | am not among that number) |
should presume could get their faces shaved
without paving dime TO the barber. Ii
would be very tedious travelling. but that one
IN this region can go to any important point
By railroad, and he isn't obliged to contem-
plate with his journey the prospect of frozen
ears, aching feet, and chatterng teeth.
have my thoughts directed homeward now !.
bat really the prospect Of being compelled to
take The stage away down at the other end of
the route, from Burlington to keokuk, al
most makes me shudder. and constrains me
10 wish the task We're accomplished. But it
must be done, though it seems like fronting a
fearful task, for confess that low tempera-
tnre has almost as many terriers for me a.
water has FOR mad dog
This facility for railroad connection which
nothern Illinois and southern and central
/ Wisconsin afford, impresses me more strongly
than ever with the vast convenience and great
importance to business to be derived there
from. But yet, grown up as all these rail
roads have, under nv eye, the history Of
them oil, with the various interests which
have been connected with and affected by
them, all within my knowledge. | have learn
ed some lessons in respect of railroads which
have led me to think differently concerning the
true railroad policy Of -keokuk from what
some OF her citizens have thought. In re
spect of the Des Mones road. or the Mus
catine road, | suppose there Is no substantial
difference Of opinion among them all and
oeiieve IN reference to the proposed con-
nechon on the east side of the river. there
has been no great conflict of opinion: but
In respect of this project there has been
some dissent as to the line of policy which
has been pursued, and have been one of the
dissenters. decided and emphatic. ever since
have been sufficiently acquainted with mae-
tiers and things thercabouts to form m in
tellgent opinion. The leading motive. |
suppose, which has given the public mind
there the bias which it entertains. has been
ihe earnest desire for an early connection.
ana sanguine hope that in such wav j,
might be achieved. certainly felt, as forci.
biy as any one, the great Importance of an
early connection and living almost uninter-
ruptedly from boyhood among railroads.
ieIt as strongly any one the hardship and
loneliness Qf
"orio as an absence Of railroads insurcs
Dat my observation Of the growth Of the
railroad system and the interests Of town,
affected thereby in this region has taught
me that early connections are not all that ara
to be taken into account, but that ultimat,
advantages and equitable terms of arrange.
ment are OF far more Importance than few
months Of time. | thought SO last spring
and. was inclined to express my opinion ans
urge different line of policy. But the zen.
eral feeling was so decided, and the proba.
bliitles Of efecting something satisfactory
were 80 great IN the eyes of the people, tina
did not wish TO disturb the degree Of una
nmity which existed. and distrustesl NV owr
anucipations, aad fully believe now as
was SO strongly inclined to then. that an.
other course would have been the wiser
From what could gather Of the condition
and tendency of things at that time. there
was not probability of being able to Sc.
cure such terms in making the connection III
me present and prospective Importance o.
heokuk as business point was entitled to
that we should be compelled to sacrifice
something Of equity and ultimate advantag,
IN order TO gam year or 20 in time Til.
conalcting interests and lealousies over III.
river confirmed that idea Twas satisfied il
my own mind that we could effect nothing NJ
present that the people Of keokuk ouqht Il
he satisfied with, and WAS strongly in hop
that they uould not be satisfied with any ar
rangement that thought likely to be oifere,
them. Hooked at the subject in this light
LIST, heokuk IS town Of that importanc,
That little delay, or little advantage IL
point OF time 10 rival towns, are neither q
them gong materially to damage, considerin,
the plain advantage Of her position and tn
certainty Of her future prospects. and tina
therefore her citizens could afford u deman,
terms for her 10 which her future prospect
justly entitled her. ID, The great ultmat
and enduring profit Of railroad giyin. u
an Eastern connection is to be dcri, ed frof
the fact that il reaches keokuk and enter
the Des Moncs Valley At It's great depot. NJ
from the fact that il penetrates IIancoc
County and makes connection with Cartl