The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1857-07-04

The Alton and Rock Island Railroad.

We received call. yesterday, from de-
eation of gentlemen connected with tie
Rock Island, Alton ST. Louis Railroad
We learn from them that this great enter
prise Is prospecting, and that small additional
cid Is required 70 carry il through success
fully. The whole length Of this road from
Rock Island to St. Louis, is two hundred and
twenty three miles At meeting Of the
Directors Of the road, held carly in June
the South end Of il was put under contract
from It's southern terminus to Macomb, at
$4,000 per mile, with a conditional con-
tract from that place to Rock Island, seven
ty-three miles, to be pushed forward after
sufficient basis shAll 10 raised, which basis
can be completed by Rock Island and Dav-
export coming forward and taking hold oft.
We learn that Rock Island has ordered a
vote on city subscription OF $50, 900 TO the
road. The county will no doubt order
vote on loan Of 100000 more; and both
viii carry. In edition, Subscription Of
$4,000 moro win doubtless be made by
ths citissns Individually. Thus Rock Island
nay b sst down ior about $3.50, 900 aid 10
the road.
The eitissnS Of Davenport are equally in
tssssted with tho people Of Rock Island in
this road. This enterprise Is looking TO
connection with 81. Paul. Our Mississippi
Bridge y the direct influence which j. bring
Ing It to Rock Island. Had there been a
bridge at Muscatine, that point being farther
west than this, and her citizens disposed to
lend the enterprise practical aid, the road
would doubtless have gone to that point.
But our bridge has induced the Directors TO
hsiag ths road hsre. This step will render
Tie Cedar Valley Railroad an Indispensable
npsovement. Il will be literally the con-
tinuation u the Alton Rock Island Rail
road-sach road being certain to render the
stock q The othsr more valuable. With our
oe'dee, Davenport 10 - deeply interested as
koek lsland h the construction Of the Al.
ton Z Rock Island Railroad The basi. for
IL building u the road il complete, with
The cid Of 100000 from this city.
We ars aware that the recent loans voted
y this city, one Cor City improvements, and
TIE other to the Cedar Valley Railroad, do
not make this the most acceptable time for
ths prssentation Of the consideration Of q
nsw loan. Bot We are inclined to believe,
that The Alton and Rock Island Railroad
deserves the serious investigation Of this
community, and IL regarded - Of rcal value
ee-the city, that We should give il the aid
asksd. A connection With st. Louis BY rail
rod 10 certainly highly desirable. We have
nov no dissct connection with the South,
for months Of every year. Travellers take
long, expensive, roundabout course, to reach
b. Louis during the long interval while the
sivsr 10 closed, while our produce has no way
q al Of reaching the Southern markets.
The distance to ST. Louis by river is sbou,
80 miles. By railroad, il will BE- 223 miles,
almost m cir line The road will run through
. rich and well settled country, and through
- County seas Of every intervening Coun-
y, I'll Of the,n important towns The read
viii doubtless BE- tapped by roads from Mus
caeins, Burlington and kcokuk, seeking
shso0gh Il the Southern markets. II can
- thus we'll help being paying road. From
Alton TO Whitehall, ~ miles, tho work ON
u road y INV progressing. From that
paass to Macomb, u miles, crossing the H.
laeis river ct Bsardstown, tho read i let
ct By contract, and tAs work will be com
nsaced within thirty days. From Macomb
% Rock lsland, 70 nilss, che road has been
yst under condisicnal contract, ~ we have
seatsd, 70 BE- pashed forward aiter susilci-
esnt basis hes been raised. Rock Island il
aeiag her duty, and now h is asked that wo
aAall subscribe o. hundrsa thousand dollars
We have pssssaesd the iacts 10 cur readers
- tAsy wsss given 10 ". We have not had
shas ospsetsaiy Tor such scrutiniring inves-
ti0aaion = the subject really demands. but
~ ~ inclined to think that If this aid on
e1r part viii secure tho road beyond doubt,
- en- adosd to give IL. We leave the sub