Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1855-10-31
For the T.l graph and H,wk-eys.
Keokuk, Mt. Pleasant and Musca.ins Railroad.

i For the I'll graph and H,wk-eys.
i Keokuk, Mt. Pleasant and Nuscasins Railroad
| MEssRs. EDlToRs:
j While the citizens of Burlington arr
congratulating themselves over standing a,
the termini Of two important railroads
communicating by one with the grea,
| growing mart Of Chicago, and from thence
both by water and rail-with the sea.
board. And by the other with the most
fertile part Of Iowa and the whole west,
and by which the noble waters Of the Mis-.
sissippi will soon be made neighbors with
those of her sister, the mighty Missouri
While they are thus chuckling over the
advantages thus given them over their
once boastful neighbor and deprecator,
situated at the foot Of the rapids, where
she has been enriching herself from the
tolls of the freight formerly required to
break bulk there; while Burlington, in
confident safety is assuring herselfthat one
| new gotten source Of wealth will hence
forward, without fail continue to pour its
tribute into her treasury; is she aware
that her ambitious (and we shall soon feel)
annoyingly enterprising neighbor below
lcagued with these above whose interests
are as dear asthose of selfshncss ever are,
is putting forth every energy-straiuing
every nerye, and drvoting themselves with
the spirit oftrue self sacrifice to the object,
Zone they feel of the utmost consequence
to them) Of wrestling these advantages,
now possessed by Burlington from her
hands; making comparatively useless as a
great thoroughfare, the road eastward to
Chicago; and tapping and cffectually d.
verting from her the invaluable resources
just ready to accrue to her wealth and afu-
ture greatness! If the citizens Of Bur
lington are asleep to this momentous fact,
it may not be amiss to offer word of ad-
monition, and to stir up their pure minds
by way Of remembrance of the time when
Keokuk could exult over them, and which
she is still aiming to do, and will do, if a
corresponding effort is not Immediately
put forth by them. aes
Burlington is dependent on her country
back for her wealth, while she will be very
materially aided by he1 railroad east, if
she retain the business which may come
to her from this source; but she is ad-
monished that most stringent efforts are
being put forth to rob her of these advan-
tages, her nurtured rights Keokuk on
her south, Muscatine on her north, back
cd up by the wealth and influence Of St.
Louis, who too desperate at her receding
fortunes to pursue an intelligent or sem
sib'e policy, grasps despairingly at the
prize now already nearly her enviable
neighbor's, Chicago, all are putting forth
efforts worthy of hcros for enrichiog their
respective Golfers from the resources that
properly belong to Burlingtol And they
are bound to do it if she does not circum-
vent them in their intriguing policy! Is
it asked how they will do this? If so,
examine for one moment the plot for con-
structing railroad from Keokuk via Mt.
Pleasant to Muscatine That road built,
and not one bushel of grain from, or west
of Mt. Pleasant will ever reach Burling-
ton but taking the route to Muscatine and
from thence via Rock Island, taking the
benefit of her railroad bridge, will speed
for Chicago; SO the freight assigned for
the Country as far west as Mt. Pleasant,
taking the Rock Island route will be COM
mitted to the care of the Keokuk, Mt.
Pleasant and Muscatine r. R., and on
ward go to its place of destination; and
Burlington may stand aghast or whistle
in vain for one tribute, toll or bonus from
the uncerimonious interlopers who have
robbed her while shes slept; and yet though
l would not assume to be prophet, mark
my words, unless a decided effort is at
once put forth-fve years, period of time
Burlington has regarded sufficient to es-
tablish her in the full possession of her
advantages and priviliges-will witness
the very consumation now predicted; and
her HONORABLE 1--WE will not particular
ize) Mayorand Common Council -prating
on the subject of internal improvements,
and the debt of the city-will still contin
ue to guzzle their lager bier and contra
band whisky, heat up their petty broils,
and increase their petty feuds-scratch
outeach others eyes, ,and chew bits from the
dung pile to spit in each others faces
till finally they worry themselves out and
to death, and scatter their carcasses along
the bluffs of their once beautiful city to
rot and decay, while they surrender its
border for the domicile of the more amia-
BILE husbandman, who will peacefully ad-
dress himself to the quiet duty Of growing
his grain for Keokuk market, whittier he
will go to buy his groceries and the baby a
new frock! ...5 -
Then where is the once boastful cxclam-
alton of the importance of Burlington!
This wholesale swindle Of the choicest
interests Of Burlington can be prevented
but by one way. If it may be prevented
BY that, citizens Of Burlington shall it not
be? az
At once, without delay organize CON-
pany and let the stock be taken for 9 rail-
road from this place to Montrose, and ef-
feet . compromise with the Keokuk COM
pany to have their road terminate at Bur
hngton instead of Muscatine. Her inter-
ests viii be rs fully secured;. and Burling-
ton can offer as much pecuniary induce
ment as Muscatine. If she cannot, she
ought to be ashamed Of herself. Fort
Madison is interested in such an enter