The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1858-11-23
A Railroaa can,

danger t. the people Of this State, than an,
measure ever before conceived or eoncocted by
wise or unscrupuleus men. We allude to !
call for Railroad Convention, which is to con
vsne somewhere in Iowa, ON the 18th Of De-
csmbsr next, composed Of ten delegates from
each county. The Interior object Of this Con-
vention is, to obtain loan from the State oil
some e2O,OOO,OOO, more or less, to aid in the
construction of certain Railroads in Iowa. We
do not say that the men who signed the call for
this Convention are "unserupulous," but we do
say, they are not the men to ask the people OF
iowa to loan the credit Of the State, in aid Of
Railroads. The call is signed by too many men
who own large tracts of land and town lots,
and have done more to retard the progress of
our State, BY "holding on" to their real estate.
than deluge Of seven years durance. Quite
number of real estate spectators in Iowa, have
found BY sad experience, that they have .'held
on" to their lands too long. and hence their anx-
iety to involve the State, and bring about total
bankruptcy, in order that they may save them
selves from their now almost impending ruin.
In 1856, Congress gave to certain Railroad
companies in this State large tracts of land,
which they computed were worth near 100000
600. Iowa was in prosperous condition at
that time. She Was increasing in population
rapidly; and the eyes Of the whole world were
turned towards her. Money was penty-every
man had his pockets full, and the farmers were
getting rich. Mechanics and day laborers could
fnd constant employment at enormously big
wages. Rents were high, and every house and
howell was filled to overlooking. We we're on
the high-road to prosperity and happiness; but
We have fallen! And what has caused this sud
den transition from prosperity to xlmost total
bankruptcy? The question is easily answered.
Il was the RAILROAD GRANT The Land
Offices in this State we're ordered to close, and
emigration ceased Immediately terwards-
the price Of land ran downtown lots were a
drug in the market, and the produce raised by
the toing thousands throughout our State,
would not pay the expense OF hauling it to mar.
ket 1t has been long Sabbath to the citizens
OF Iowa; and lesson has been taught them by
this grant, which they will not soon forget.
But, We are now told, that the chair Of the
dog will cure the bite" In other words, we
are asked to plunge ourselves still deeper into
this malestrom Of railroad loans. The credit of
the State 10 asked to aid certain railroad COM
panies in completing their roads, to the tune Of
trenty millions of dotiars' Better, far better,
give back to Government oil the land donated
to this State to aid in the construction of rail-
roads, than loan her credit for one dollar to aid
in this enterprise.
Our State bonds now command q premium;
but the moment We vote this loan they will run
down with those of Missouri, whose bonds are
hawked about the streets Of New York city, and
offering at "a cents on the dollar, and no buy
ers.
Iowa needs at present but one or two roads.
We want an eastern and a western outlet. Let
us out, east, at Burlington or Muscatine, and
west at Council Bluffs, and the immediate wants
Of the people Of Iowa will be supplied. As fast
thereafter as railroads are demanded to carry
Oft the surplus grain and stock in the now ''ru.
raj districts" railroads will be- constructed.
In conclusion, We copy the following well.
timed remarks from the pen Of Mr.. Needham of
the OskAloosa Herald. He says:
"The whole scheme is at any rate impracti-
cable, for once commence dividing Out your
fund and where are you to stops The State
cannot build railroads in every county, and moth.
ing short OF that would give satisfaction to those
wNb pay taxes. Are the rich, the strong and
powerful to be built up at the expense Of the
poor and the weak? Mature your plans as you
will, cutting of. (as ysu necessarily must,)
about one half the counties, and you create al
once in those counties determined and pow
srful opposition that will forever be at enm.y
with all your plans.
1t ID also fallacious supposition, that the
State would lose nothing by the operation
Stock in railroads does not generally pay, and
especially does this prove true where the man.
ageMent to any great extent 10 left to public
officers. Mismanagement, extravagance, favor.
itism and corruption are the invariable attend.
. nts Of public Improvements. We repeat, we
have no objection to one or all the conventions
that may be gotten up, but we do claim that the
people are not willing to bear the expenses OF
another session Of the General Assembly for al
least another year. Let these railroad plans be
laid before the people and discussed if you
please, until the next stated meeting Of the
General Assembly, At which time they can be
introdueed. We are now maturing system of
banking, and when that is perfected it will be
time enough to agitate the other question of
large State debt for railroad purposes."-IIn-
dianola Visitor.