The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-05-01
Correspondence Of the y. Jasph Gazette.
H. joseph 4 Csaneil 0l1ffs Aail Rod.
~f,OuNCfa BLurrn Aneil "A fS6o

Correspsndence Of the o. J@sph Gazette.
H. joseph 4 CssnciI 1l1ffs Aail Rod.
eCouxcIl BLUFFS, April n, fsss.
Mars. Editors During the past three
years, Railroads, Taxes and supposed infdel-
sty of our County and City officials have
been the all absorbing topics Of converse
ton with us; lately the former seems to have
usurped tho supremacy, and reigns para
mount to all others, from the belief doubt
less, that the Iron horse would bring us
population sufficiently intelligent and virtu-
Gus to correct oil existing evils. Though
some difference of opinion exists in relation
to the Road most likely to benefit ~, all
agree in the declaration that some other
way of access to the Eastern and Southern
cities, than staging across the State, during
the close of navigation, is essential to our
COW enence and prosperity. Heretofore,
the NJ. & NJ. Road, has been regarded as the
one most decidedly advantageous to us,
from the fact of its being the one most likely
to be first completed. This opinion, though
not without some weight, may be controver-
ted; the recent agitation OF the question
with us, is likely to draw forth oil the argu-
ments which can be offered for and against
it. The writer fully agrees with the editor
of the Bugle, that road we must have, and
the one most likely to be first built, is that
to which our attention should be turned and
assistance given. Though it is true our
County has exhausted her resources in prof.
fers of aid to the NJ. & NJ. Road, it was done
with the expectation that that work would
be commenced within reasonable time and
prosecuted to completion. In this we have
reason to fear disappointment, and fed
justified in transferring our proffered aid
whenever we have grounds for so doing
Circumstances lead to belief that we are
made the tools of the most formidable of
all monopolists, Rail Road Companies.
The present communication is not design
ed to reflect upon this company, but to in
vite public attention to road which has
been much overlooked, road which would
be of more benefit, not only to Council
Bluffs, but the entire Missouri Slope both in
Iowa and Nebraska, than all others, and to
such road all our resources should be gwen.
mean the Hannibal & St. Joseph Road.
gentleman from your city who has recently
followed the line of road between the places
named, and well acquainted with the pro-
gress Of the work, assures US this road will be
built within one year from the present time.
It follows of course that in one year the
entire travel which has heretofore been very
large across the State of Iowa, East by way
of Chicago, will be turned South by way of
your City and st. Louis. The distance to
the Rail Road at Iowa City is 275 miles, to
St. Joseph 40 miles, better route and
accommodations. | also learn that this
company contemplate an immediate extern
sion of their road to the Iowa State line,
aided by the State of Missouri, and St.
Louis offers assistance in continuing the
road as far North as Council Bluffs. That
st. Louis will do all she can to aid in max
ing this connection, no one will doubt, &C.
quainted with the magnitude of her trade in
this region for years past, and which in
great measure would be lost to,her should
this road fail to be built in advance of the
NJ. & NJ. Road. In addition to these induce
ments offered US, there are two considera-
tons which should bring US to speedy de-
cision in favor of this route. First the
character of the ground, being a level plain
requiring no grading, thereby greatly de-
creasing the expense. Secondly, the distance
is so short, that the road could be built in
eighteen months, less than half the time re-
CURED to form an eastern connection. Now
in view Of these considerations, can any one
doubt in what direction our interest lies,
and the duties to which we are invited
yea impcratiyely called. Shall we sit still
another year, our hands folded, talking,
growing and complaining of our disap-
pointments, when oneness of purpose, and
alittle energy would enable US to accomplish
all we desire. Let intelligent and respect
able men canvass the county and present
the matter in a light so clear that he that
"runneth may understand" Let our edi-
tors with those of Glenwood, St. Joseph,
and St. Louis, press the subject home upon
their readers, and the work is done. 1t is
true it may be necessary at first to use ex-
traordinary efforts to rouse the populace
from the lethargic sleep into which they
have fallen, on this subject. Rail Roads
have been so long cried in thor oars, that
in renewing it we may expect occasionally,
the response of humbug, humbug. Rut,
remember "improbus labor rincit omnia."
Yours, Truly, J. B.
Another Plank Gone.
The Cincinnati Platform, of which Mr..
Buchanan became a part during the cam
paign, does not hold together well in his