The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-04-14


CARNATIONS for building links of this grea,
chain of roads. Each Of these organizations
has obtained large local subscriptions, and
is sanguine Of being successful. The irpi
organization is from Kcokuk to Columbu.
City; the second from Columbus City to Ce-
dar Rapids, by the way Of Iowa City; the
third from Cedar Rapids TO the State line, in
Mitchell county; and the fourth from the
State line u ST. Paul. This is grand
scheme for hcokuk, with good prospects OF
success.
We also must have au Eastern raiirond
connection. We have already suffered great
" for want Of such connection, and will
continue to suffer until we have one.
The Warsaw ard Rockford Railroad has
fair prospects Of being completed. This
road would give us very direct route to
Chicago, and East by that route. lit would
also give US the trade Of large and fine az
ricutural section Of country East Of the
Mississippi that now trades at Burlington
and other places. Another connection, and
the one best for our city ut this time, under
oil the circumstances, is by the Western
Division of the Wabash and Mississippi
Road. There has heretofore been much
trouble about the location and right of way
of this road. But the Legislature OF the
State OF Illinois, at its last session, RENE
died these difficulties, so there appears to be
no good reason why this road should not be
put IN running order during 1857.
Whilewe are building our railroads, we
must not lag with our city improvements.
All must 60 together. The improvement of
our streets, leyee, &C., must keep pace with
the demands and increase OF our citizens.
Ii our railroads are built ia the next two
years, il is not an Decentralization to say that
the population, business and wealth Of the
city will double within the same period. Ii
this is a correct calculaton--an and think but
few who are acquainted with the past history
or present position Of our city, will doubt or
deny tthen we must grade and macadam-
lze our streets, and open out new ones in the
old and new limits, make sidewalks and
crossings, and extend our leyee. But in ma
KING improvements, great care should be ta-
ken TINT they are we'll done, of permanent
character, and made where the growth and
demands OF the city require them to be made.
The grade OF the old city plat was establish
ed by the late City Council, and although
the "grade question: had become I'm excl
ting one, owing to the long delay in estab-
fishing OF such grade, still, so far as know,
every one has acquieseed In the grade re-
ported by the Engineers and adopted by the
Council. Since that time there have been
large additions made to the city, and some
OF these additions are rapidly filing up with
an industrious and enterprising population.
These additions are taxed as other city pro-
perty. They need streets opened and other i'm
proyements made for their convenience,
which cannot well be done until there is a
complete grade map of these additions made,
and the grade of the streets established. Ii
IS but just and right that this should be
done without delay. No one wants to build
home without knowing the grade. 1t GER
tainly is the duty of the City to furnish that
grade.
The late City Council appointed Capt. A.
Guthrie, OF Chicago, gentlemen ef large
experience, TO make survey of the City
with view OF the building Of water works
Tor the city. That survey has not yet been
made, but will be soon. When made il will
be your duty take such action as you will
deem most ADVISABLE. All concur that we
need water works, and must have them at the
earliest day practicable without too great a
sacrifice.
The Reports Of the Recorder and Treasur.
or, which will accompany this commune
cation. will give the details of our receipts
aud expenditures for the last year.
Tae debt of the city for other
than railroad purposes
mounts to about $4,000 90
Our railroad subscriptions are,
To the keokuk, FIT. Dcs Moiues
and Minnesota Railroad 400 900 90
To the keokuk, Mt. Pleasant
aud Muscatine Railroad, 100000 90
To the Western division of the
Wabash and Mississippi Rail-
road, l0O. 900 90
For these rail bonds we have the stock. of
the companies for equal amounts--and II
any railroads will pay, these will. Ii so, the
stock OF the roadnwill pay off these bonds.
The roads must be built; and the true policy
OF the city will be, as soon AS the roads are
in successful running order to sell her stock
payable in her own bonds or cash, and il for
cash, to use the money in the purchase of
her own bonds. If this policy is adopted, the
city will in no event lose any large amount
from her railroad subscriptions.
The assessment OF property in the CITY for
this year will be about ten million Of dollars
The city has frontage between the old city
plat and the leyee as established by the late
Council, from which she will realize from
$4,000 TO Sl50,00o. The lots upon which
the market honseis temporarily located could
be sold for at least 200 in city bonds.
The city also owns lot on Sixth street be
tween Maine and Bondeau streets, worth
81 800. 1t is clear that aside from the in
come from taxation, the railroad stocks and
city property alone are abundant to pay the
public debt.
lhaye brought before you, gentlemen, brief
~, some OF the most important Of the many
subjects that will call for Your attenti on.
There are many others that will doubtless
come before YOU for action. In con-
clusron. will only add that in union and
harmony there is strength; and in all mea-
sures calculated To advance the interests Of
the city, you may fully rely upon my hearty
aud cordial cooperation.
HAWKINS TAYLOR.
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/ Nno WRITES the SoNos THE principal
writer is Stephen c. Foster, author Of .tn-