Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1857-08-20
Rail Roads--Howard County.

Are the people of Howard old fogies? They
have never shown themselves anything else, and
whether they going to remain in that state, and
"contnue to be regarded as the rough lock TO the
wheels of legislation, in all matters involving the
expenditure Of fve-cent piece" remains to be
seen. The following, which we take from the
last "Banner," should be read and pondered well
Nh. EDITOR: In order to excite spirit of in
quiry, without intending to obtrude my own pc
cular views upon any one, desire TO offer few
reflections for the consideration OF the people Of
Howard county on the subec Of Railroads. By
some means false impression has been created
in the minds of the people, with regard to the po-
siton Of old Howard, on this subject. 1t is gener-
ally believed out Of Howard county, that the peo
pie here, not only opposed TO every species of
internal improvement, by the State, but entire
" unconscious Of the immense benefit to be de-
rived by community from the facilities furnished
by Railroads. In word, We are written down,
en- mass, as Gold fogies," and regarded as the
rough-lock othe wheels of Legislation, in all mat
tiers involving the expenditure Of five cent piece.
| Admitting the propriety Of prudence and dis
creiion in legislating away the peoples money
and admitting further, for argument sake, that the
present system Of internal improvements is ex-
| travigant; yet, wish to bring the minds Of the
people 10 bear directly, Oh few plain facts. All
bonds issued by the State for Railroad purposes,
are DUE 20 years from date of the bond and if not
| liquidated, by the several companies fol- whose
benefit they were issued, within that time, then
the State Of Missouri becomes liable payOr, and
the bonds will of necessity be paid by direct tax
on the people. Will the companies be able to pay
the interest on the bonds and then pay the princi
pal when due?-common sense teaches us they
will not! What then will be the position of How
ard county. when this immense debt is 10 be paid
OFF, Just this position: We will have to bear the
largest share OF the burden in paying off the debt
and yet we will derive no benefit from the Rail-
road system whatever, because we get no Rail-
| road.
Will the people of Howard county agree to be
taxed for the purpose Of building Railroads in 9TH
er parts of the State without the possibility Of de-
irving any benefit from it2 Mark you:-the ques-
| ton is not, care you willing to be taxedY'-you
will be taxed, whether you are willing or not
The question is ths:--are you willing 10 sit quietly
| by with folded hands, without ever making ono
effort to avail yourselves Of the loan Of the States
credit? Won't you try to make road?-that is
| the question;--or will you leave our immense az
ricultdral resources undeveloped, while the Loco
motive is prancing and snorting over the barren
Prairies North and South of us, enrching portions
of the State in comparison with which our own
rich and beautiful county is Paradise. Shall
| we retrogade, and for the want of proper public
spirit, sink into an VI merited nsignihcance? Shall
Howard, so long the boosted mother of counties
dangle at the tail of the list, and for want of lit.
tie energy on the part of her citizens, fall behind
the poorest county in the State in point Of popula-
ton and wealth.
We are already on the decline-we will be en-
titled TO but representative to.he next legisa-
ture. Let them hasten to offer liberal assistance
to the counties west of us, and build road from
Weston to intcrsect the North Missouri Road II
Galloway county. If we don't move in the mat
ter pretty soon, il will be too late. Already the
people of Charlton county have held meeting &c
encourage the construction of road from estor
by way OF Brunswick to Canton. We grossly
h. tee nf
US two years ago when the Railroad question was
up. Let meeting OF the citizens be called, Mr.
Editor, and let US see how many there are who
are willing to set the ball in motion.