The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-05-15


our own resources, against a competition
which this bill renders more powerful and
| important.
/ But yet, If we will look over the ground,
calmly and considerably, we shall see that
there is not reason to be dishcartencd at all,
but only reason for more unanimity Of feel
ing and more vigorous and hearty effort in
behalf Of our public enterprises. Let us see.
The Mt. Pleasant road has, among all
the roads upon which Congressional ia
yor has been bestowed, no rival, for it
runs in a different direction, and will stand
unaffected for the worse BY any benefits
which they may receive from the grant. 1t
Will, doubtless, receive, ultimately, some in
direct advantage from it. Cutting across
them all, and so furnishing q trunk for them
all leading in another and important direc-
/ ton, their prosperity will to some extent con-
tribute to its prosperity, when the roads are
operating, but for the purposes of construc-
ton the incidental advantages will be little
/ or nothing. Running up, as it will, to Iowa
City, and penetrating the region still farther
to the north, probably through the entire
breadth Of the State, and beyond, surely it
becomes a road Of sufficient Importance to
be entitled to the direct munifcence of Con-
gress, equally so, at least, running, as it
does, through the Oldest and most thickly
| settled portion Of theState, with some Of the
other roads to which assistance has been lent.
that traverse region no small part of which
is still destitute Of population But vet it
will stand even relatively unaffected So
far, so good.
| Than the keokuk, Fort Des Moincs and
| Minnesota road, there was not one in the
State, nor can there be marked out one bet
ter entitled to the consideration and assist
ance Of Congress. 1t drains the great valley
Of the Des Moines. Not merely tapping it
at point, 1t runs up through the whole ex-
tent Of that magnificent and productive re-
gion, and by crossing all the other routes, it
affords the valley not only the advantages Of
ITS own line, but prolongs the routes and car
ries up and down through the valley the ad-
vnntages OF ali the rest. 1t was worthy the
consideration of Congress. 1t should have
received it. 1t is n shame that it did not
But there is consolation in the condition
and prospects of the road, for its position is
such now, that with proper energy the advan-
tages which Will accrue TO this city from its
construction, cannot be wrenched from us bv
however much strength this unjust bill NAV
BRING to any rival road. The Burlington and
Missouri road is the one which will most tend
to divert to other points the trade which the
Fort Des Moines road would bring to this
The burlington road will be done TO Mount
Pleasant by fall, and not far beyond The
ort Des Molnes road will probably be done
TO Bentonsport We shall thus be farther in
the interior, and nearer the crossing point,
the point Of strife and Importance, 1T Or
near ottumwa. With that advantage, de-
spite the new advantage Of the Burlington
road, We can reach that poiut first. If we
90, the coast is clear, our success is assured,
and we have nothing more to fear. We do
not say that this will be done, though we
think twill we say it can be done, and
surely there is motive enough to prompt US
to the determination that it shall be done.
The Fort Madison and Bloomfield road
Will be the most seriously affected by this
blll, we fear, though il is the road that could
least afford to be affected. But, from Van
buren, county west, monopolizing n rich and
a.
gion with the only line it can have or hope
for, twas exceedingly unjust to have cast its
claims aside unconsdered. What its pros
poets particularly are, we cannot say, and
how we'll it can struggle on under existing
circumstances, we are not very well qualified
to Judge. But we DO think that there il no
reason for laying a straw in its way, or of
eulhyatlng any but kindly feelings towards
IT. The Interests it will promote, are our
interests also. our roads will cross each
other, at point whore it Will be equally
easy to reach either keokuk or Fort Madison,
and those places will thus be left to stand
upon their own merits with respect to the
relative advantages which are to be deriy ed
from that line west of the point Of connec-
ton.
In view Of these facts, Of the relative inhu-
ences of this bill, of the interests Of all our
roads, the interests Of our town, and Of the
region which contributes to its trade and inn
portanee, an cxigency il created by the pas
sage 81 this bill which demands of III yigor-
Gus action and harmony Of feeling aud opin-
ion. There must be no unnecessary Earring
Or conflict Of effort among ourselves. In
whatever course may be concluded upon
among the friends of different enterprises,
we must be agreed. On every hand there
] must Be willingness to consent. SO far Is