Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-06-22
n DAVENPORT A WAY STATION!

Railroad is now conducted, renders it
Q constant curse, rather than sub
stantial blessing to our city. The road
which the citizens of Davenport look
upon as the main artery Of trade lead
ing to the interior, operates adversely
to the interests Of Davenport. Were
the road not here At oil, we should be
Just ~ well off as q city, ss we are to
have it as it is now managed. We say
this, knowing precisely what we say,
and can prove our assertion at any
time. This state of affairs is not from
necessity; but to the contrary, the NJ.
4 n. Railroad might be, and should
be, among our principal blessings. Not
only Is its progress snail-paced, but
having lost its identity in being merged
with the Chicago and Rock Island
road, it has ceased to be Of any great
advantage to the commercial interests
Of our city.
Our dealers have right to expect
portion Of the trade of the towns lying
west Of US, but how are they to get it
A merchant from any Of the towns
along the road, wishes to replenish his
stock, and thinks he can do it in Da-
vsnport a. we'll as to 60 to Chicago.
lie takes the train and arrives in this
city in the evening, too late to transact
the business that would not take over
two hours in the business hours Of the
day; he waits till morning-the train
going west leaves early, and he cannot
possibly get his business transacted
before it leaves, consequently he must
stay through the day, spending bis
time in idleness. Evening arrives, and
he has already been in town twenty
four hours, and yet be cannot 60 even
then-he must wait until the next
morning, before he can get out Of
town, and by the time he reaches
home, he has spent forty-eight hours
time in order to do two hours shop.
ping. This 10 . specimen of the work
ings Of the NJ. u NJ. road under the
new administration. Any merchan,
living thirty miles from the city car
como to town in . wagon, do his pur.
chasing and take back . load of two
tons Of goods, quicker than he car
come and get back by railroad. A
merchant from Iowa City can go tc
Chicago and back again to Iowa City
and spend no more time than he would
in coming to Davenport, and have ~
entire day to transact business while in
Chicago.
Our merchants are grooming under
this treatment. They zee the trade
which belongs to them, driven from
their doors by the very railroad t.
which they look for support. The man
agoment Of this road care not straw
for the prosperity Of Davenport; it i,
for Chicago. By taking off one train
the expense Of running is lessened, the
trade Of Chicago is increased, and Da
venPort IL impoverished every day
No considerable merchant will stor
here to purchase goods, when he car
50 to Chicago and back in the same
time Il takes to 60 to Davenport and
back; and just % long . we submit t.
thsss thipg> just 20 long may We ex
psct 70 have them.
0upposing the road b extended far
thes into the interior next year. Iii
ssoaiaa under the sams management,
- wAat sdvaatsgs win Il b 70 d,
stspesti Il will Aslp Chicago Aasly
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