The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1858-04-22

this road. II - emphatically their own ROAD,
because they not only originated it but have
built it thus far mainly by their individual
and corporate means. To its Directors, too,
they freely ,cord the highest praise. Their
sagacity, resolution and perseverance,, COM
mand our sincere admiration and respect. -
Undismayed by difficulties and discourage
nsnts, they have persevered steadily and
firmly, until this favorite vision of our minds
has become living reality.
To build this road, the good people of Keo-
kuk lent their best energies, bslissing truly
that upon it's success depended their onward
progress in the race Of cities.
This road is now in successful operation,
but there is one feature in it Of questionable
influence upon the interests of the city. re-
fer to the present location Of il depot. Its
great distance from tho business centre Of
the city, and the wretched oSsditIon Of the
strests leadine - +, oonstituts vary grave
objsstions y II present locality.
The tax uhleh tbs distance levies upon
the freight $50 = Il from the city is gradu-
ally sappias 90 heavy trade and driving it
beyond on bovdsrs. To illustrate it's ope-
ration: yesterday, an intelligent and shrea d
merchant from Bentonsport was looking
through the grocery market with view to
make purchases. lie said that prices here
compared fsvorably with those Of st. Louis,
but it cos, half as much to send goods to
the depot from keokud, as it would cost to
bring them from St. Louis to the depot
Transient boats, said he, will bring my
heavy goods from st. Louis and land them
at the depot for 10 cents per 100 lbs, and it
costs cents per 100 lbs. to take them from
your city to the same depot. The difference
is in favor of st. Louis.
Unfortunately, our merchants could not
controvert his statements, because they knew
them to be true. How long, my intelligent
reader, can the merchants Of Keokuk com
mand the trade of the interior while con.
tending against such odds? Can our young
city, with her limited resources, compete
successfully, under such disadvantages, with
older cities? Can We afford to lose even o
part OF the trade we have built up with %
much labor and at so great cost? And yet
better facilities are presented to our COM
merce. A peculiar hardship in such . osse
would be, that the loss was occasioned BY
the very road We had rallied upon to sustain
and strengthen our present position.
Nor does this matter touch the merchant
and manufacturer alone. 1t reaches to eve
ry Other pecuniary interest. Any decline 10
general business tends to diminish popula
ton, and Of consequence to lessen the value
of property. Are we prepared for these re-
suits?
We rely with strong confidence upon our
advantageous natural position, but let us not
be too confident, lest we overlook some Of
the important elements Of suoeess.
Trade is tickle and seeks constaat1y for the
cheapest and best channels Of conveyance
1t must be our business to see that those
channels lead into Keokuk. Any other poll
icy would be suicidal.
have no suggsstions to offer as to where
our freight depot should be located. but
nanifestly II should be a. near to the heavy
business Of the city as practicable.
trust that the directors Of the road will
taks this subject under serious osnsidsra.
ton, aed that our oily fishers, and business
msn generally, will give il mora dian pass
ing reflection. II.
lBY AuTH0RlTv.
Chapter ~.
An Act to Incorporate THO State Baak OF Iowa
Belt enacted ~ the Genera! Assembly OF
~ State Of Iowo. SECTION 1. That the
State Bank OF Iowa be and the Same is hero
BY Incorporated with all ~ powers herein.
after granted, aud BY that mans shall be ca
pable Of contracting aud being eontractsd
With, and Of prosecuting And defending &C.
tions as fully a. natural persons. and Of do
ing oil other aets necessary TO effect tho OBJ
jeets contemplated in this aot by the orsaaion
4 rid corporation.
2. That = soon ~ Eve or more hfanoh.
- 81 the State Bank Of Iowa shall bs Or.
gaaissd ~ in this.aot Il authorised, the d.
/ gs6I5F4 Of the said Stats, Bank Of lows, up
3pafnao6 b sash branches, shall msst 10 Iowa
3cetY q sseh tine as shall be designated by
49, Board Of Bank Commissioners, who
I'LL give ten days previoas nolies 70 each
Il beh, Of % time Of such, meeting, and
pepsad thai tWo-thirds Of the whole mum
\ ber " suoh Directors sAall Be convened,
thsy AAail esganiss b. taking an oath dill
gsnltyy faitAfullp and impartially to perform
tho datlaa inposod supoa them ~ THE act. !
III certiGcat6 A HhfnA eaAk lafGmai ~ = Al 4.