The Kanzas news., 1858-12-25
mites are lethargic under the late stock re-

verses, the people of our Western counties
are organizing energetieally to add another
and important branch to our network of
roads. We give on the FIRST page the pro-
ceedlngs of two meetings, held to consider
of the construction of the Usage Valley and
Southern Kansas Railroad. That the pro-
,jected enterprise merits all the enthusiasm
it has elicited-that it is a much needed
highway for the commerce of large section
of country-and that it will be carried out
to a successful completion we have every
reason to feel assured. In Missouri it is
designed to connect with the Pacific Rail-
road at Upton, and to proceed thence west
through the fine counties of Morgan, Hen
ry and Bates, to the boundary line. Cross
ing into Kansas at the point where the
Usage or Marais des Gygnes enters the
State, it bisects the fertile counties of Lynn,
Anderson, Coffey and Madison, hating at
last at Emporia. The coFporators, we learn.
have already secured the requisite amount
of stock; have complied with the Federal
law, and secured the right of way, and have
only now to ask at the hands of Congress
such donation of alternate sections as it has
granted to other companies in new States.
With this view. several gentlemen who rep
resent large interests in the Western part of
Missouri, as well as in the Southern part of
Kansas, will proceed to Washington to lay
the subject before our representatives there,
and ask their influence in favor of suita-
ble provision. That the road will prove an
immense practical benefit to very large
scope of territory now cut off from a mar
ket. will be apparent from an inspection of
the map. The desired grant, TOO, is one
of the few boons for which Western pop
ulalion can now approach Congress-cut
off as they are from all federal favors. al
though paying to support the government
in every article they buy-and we hope
that in this instance the corporators of the
Usage Valley and Southern Kansas Rail-
road may not be rebuffed. 1t is thought
that this will be working session, and if
so we see no reason why the delegation from
this State cannot take up the matter and
pass proper bill to foster this enterprise
before the first of January. That will give
time for the SenaIe to act, and the very ex-
pedition used will save the proposition from
the clutches of lobby agents, in whose
hands it would soon be squeezed dry. At
all events let il be tried, and we NAV see
what show Western measure has in a
Southern Congress.
From the st. Louis Republican
osAGE VALLEY AND SOUTHERN KANSAS RAIL
ROAD.
We very cheerfully call attention, to che
published Ia to-day's paper of the
proceedings of meetings in Upton and Yer
sailes. in favor of the above named road
This road is 1874 miles long, and COM
mences at Upton. on the line of the Pa
cific Railroad. runs to Emporia. Breckin
ridge county, Kansas, passing through the
counties of Morgan, Benton, Henry and
Bates, in Missouri, and of Linn, Anderson
and Coffey. in Kansas. 1t traverses a very
fertile country, which is now fast settling
up. and with the aid of good facilities for
market, will be among the most populous
of the counties west of ST. Louis. Devel- |
oping such region of country. it ought to
have all the aid which can be legitimately
extended to it in the shape of grant of
public lands by Congress. The Company
are applicants for such grant in Kansas,
and we trust will succeed in Obtaining it.
We regard this road as one of much inn
portance 10 the commercial interests of st |
Louis. 1t will aid in the improvement of
country which, when its resources are de-
veloped. will add greatly to the trade of our
city. Our merchants should give it proper |
and it would not be amiss |
f the Chamber of Commerce should give |
t the benefit of their support by formally en-
iorsing their application 10 Congress.