The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-04-07
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Railroad Grants,

Senator Jones, whose ingratitude, double
dealing and treachery to Keokuk has been
matter of universal comment amongst our
citizens, makes most impudent attempt to
impose upon the credulity of our people by
attacking Col. Curtis.
The people have never trusted jones' pro-
fessions of favor to our railroad interests,
and upon one occasion our citizens manifest
ed that distrust by sending Sample on to
Washington to match him and Dodge.
Our railroad grants were defeated and men
of all parties believed that the result was
justly chargeable to the secret hostility of
our Senators and Representative in Con-
gress. Every subsequent development only
confirmed this impression. Illinois, Wiscon-
sin, Missouri and Arkansas obtained immense
grants Of land for railroad purposes. Iowa
applied but did not receive an acre. Con-
gress was largely Democratic and every thing
was done for Iowa that our delegation asked
IN sincerity. But no grant of lands was
made because none was really wanted BY
them. Hem, Chairman Of the Committee
on Public Lands, insulted members of Con-
gress grossly and outrageously when they
approached him on the subject, and drove
them into the opposition. Our bill was de-
teated And then HEM, Jones and their
friends, with thoir tools placed in the eight
or ten Land Offices of the State, engaged in
the steepest kind Of land speculations. Had
appropriations been made for railroad pur-
poses, these lands would have been with
drawn from market, and their opportunities
for speculation would have been curtailed.
But the efforts Of Col. Curtis in favor of
the Air Line, defeated the grant for other
roads of the State, SAYS Jones We do not
believe it. II was never before 80 under
stood. II is not true. Had our delegation
been sincere in their desire to obtain grants
of lands for Iowa, the friends of the Air
Line would have added to their strength and
increased very largely the amount of lands
for Iowa. But they were not sincere. They
insultingly rejected the aid of the friends Of
the Air Line, and purposely courted their
opposition with the express design of de-
feating grants OF lands TO Iowa, and then
shifting the blame upon other men.
And what is this Air Line road which the
Times 50 perseveringly holds up to ridieule.
Aroad running across the central part Of the
State from east TO west. road Of yery
great advantage to our State, with strong
backing and fair prospects. We were aware
Of Cpl. Curtis efforts in behalf Of that
road at that time. We advocated the road.
and did not consider ii in conflict with our
projects. We We're not then denounced as
I'd an enemy Of keokuk for so doing. Why
should Col. Curtis be notc?
Col. Curtis at that very time owned very
considerable amount Of real estate here
which constituted, indeed, his all And vet
Jones charges him with opposition to Keo-
kuk, and fools and knaves are found 10 prom
agate the charge, and urge the people Of
keokuk 10 take Jones TO their bosom and dis
card Col. Curtis. We will not entertain 20
poor an opinion Of our citizens as to believe
that they will be influenced by such an alb
surd charge.
CT u is stated that Hon J. G.. Palfrey
is about visiting England, to prosecute re.
searches among original papers for matters
connected with his History Of New England.