The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-03-02
Straight Line Railroad.

The construction Of this road is matter o.
deep interest to our city, from which the IN
fuenceof cliques, personal feelings, narrow
local interests should be excluded entirely
We have been the earnest advocates OF the
road, and have supported the parties engaged
in lis construction, because in supporting
them, we supported the road. They too
have exhibited an indomitable energy and en-
terprise. that have excited admiration, and
entitled them to high concentrations; and
have enlisted the sympathies and good wishes
Of all. The road ought and must be built
If the present contractors have lost the support
of the public, and cannot carry it forward, they
will, we believe, relnquish their contract, and
unite heartily in any other plan to complete
the work. A full and free discussion OF the
subject is demanded by the public, and can
not longer be avoided; it will result, we hope,
in better understanding between all parties
md finally secure the willing cooperation of
the CITY with the stockholders, in strong ef-
fort to push the work onward 20 completion.
We publish the following communication, as
the first OF series upon the present condition
Of the affairs Of the road. We give it without
comment, aud shall wait till the whole case is
presented, when we will make such remarks
as simple justice to the contractors may seem
to demand, unless they relieve us from the
duty, by assuming their own defence, which
they are much more capable ofdoing than we,
and for which our columns are open.
To OLIVER II. SMITH, ESQ, President Of the T..
l. d c. s. L. Railroad Company:
DEAR SrR:-When the project Of your rail-
road was first communicated TO me, partly be
cause | thought it premature, and partly be-
cause it seemed 10 some extent rival line to
the Il. & T.. Railroad, in which had, from the
first occupied a leading position, and which
was then struggling for existence in process
of construction, determined to use what lit
tie influence | might possess to prevent the
citizens Of Evansville from embarking in
your project.
When, however, heard the arguments O
yourself aud Willard Carpenter in its favor
and found that you had both set your hearts
on building it, that it was taking fast hold o
the hearts of the people, AMI that it would
surely be begun, what ever might oppose it,
reflected that it was especially an Evansville
enterprise which if built, would greatly ad
vance Evansville interests, that with such
unanimity as seemed to exist, its construction
was very possible; and l concluded it best fol
me to lend it helping hand, rather than SCI
up an opposition, which might merely mis-
chievously obstruct, where it could not pre-
vent success Moved by such consideration.
gave in my adherence to the enterprise, anc
evinced my sincerity by subscribing, and pay
ing too few thousand to the capital stock o
your company.
Yourself and Mr.. Carpenter were both dis
tinguished men. IIo as man Of mucl
wealth, high position in society, an indomit
able energy of character, and withal shrew
financier Yourself an Ex-senator OF the Uni
ted States, and distinguished lawyer, had
just retired from the Presidency and under
stood leadership of prominent Indiana Rail
road just built, and which you had the credi
of constructing. You were likewise well &c
quainted with the history, cost. and condi
ton of all the railroads Of the West. And il
energy of character you had few equals in tn
State. With such characters and qualiica
tions you both commanded, as you deserved
to command, the confidence of those to whom
you addressed yourselves, on the exciting sub
ject Of your new work of public improve
ment; and at this end Of the line you ha,
undertaken to build, we, the people. individ
ually, and in our municipal corporations gen
ously responded to your appeals for aid; CAV
you all you asked and sent you on your wa,
rejoicing.
The undertaking Of yourself and Mr.. Car
penter, as leaders Of this enterprise, was 4
complete great through line of railroad G
unbroken gauge (the Ohio feet 10 nche:
~. a..
indianapolis, the capital and great railroad 70
Gus of the State. to Cleveland on Lake Erie. in
cidentally opening to Evansville Uy raj a,
the commerce OF the fertile Valley of Whit,
River This was the inviting object 70
which you solicited, aHd we subscribed on
stock. And this suspicious beginning wa
in the winter and early spring of 1858.
Both yourself and Mr.. Carpenter were vel
acquainted with the character of the country
through which this road was to run, and wer
also fully advised as to the number and char
acter of its population, and with tn
number of its live stock, and with the pro
ducts of its mines and quaries. its forests and
fields.
The conjunction Of two such men at tn
head OF such an enterprise was considered
rare occurrence and augured well for its sue
cess.
Under such auspices, on the 18th of April
1858, your company was incorporated by ex
ecution Of articles of association as requires
by the law of the State; and on the 18th O
May following. was fully organized by tn
election of Directory for the ensuing year
and you became the President, and Willsr
Carpenter the Vice President, of the corpora
ton.
On the last named day, the Direc.rrs he'll
their first session, and elaborate address
was delivered to them by yourself, in whicl
your plans and policy OF construction wer
distinctly laid down, and your plan of opera
tons, or governing policy, in construction. n
laid down in this address corresponded exactl
with those previously laid down by yourse
and Mr.. Carpenter in your pubic addresses
and private conversat on wh.n soliciting slocl
at ;sis end IF The line. IN this connection.