Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1859-03-03

Z
State, and is all tina! is needed TO enable the
work Of construction 10 60 rapidly toward.
if the policy adopted in regard TO the other
roads is not such as 10 retard the prosperity
and thus to impair the credit of the State,
thereby causing depreciation in market Of
our bonds.
1t is certainly possible for the General
Assembly, in its associated wisdom, to de-
wise some method by which to provide for
the completion Of the roads, either by re-
turning 10 the original policy of requiring
the subscription of stock, and the expendi-
ture in insta!lments, of the means thus rails
ed, a. condition upon which State bonds
shall be issued to the Companies, or by the
issue Of bonds by the Company, secured
by mortgage or Lien upon the road and all
the assets of the Company-the State, if
necessary, releasing the first lien 10 the ex-
tent Of the issue of bonds, limited in amount
thus provided for. Any other practicable
means is preferable TO this last; but il would
be far better TO release the first lien upon
the amount necessary TO complete the roads
10 which State aid has been granted, than
TO suffer the roads 10 remain in an unfinish-
ed and comparatively unproductive condi-
lion, 10 be thereby thrown upon the State
The State will IN this way be liable TO less
loss, and will probably never suffer at all;
while The less liberal policy must inevitably
result in the bankruptcy Of the companies
now needing aid, the forfeiture of the roads
10 the State, their consequent sale, and thus
an immense loss 10 the State, The eonse-
quences Of this latter policy would be great
losses on the part Of many Of our most en-
terprising citizens, the destruction Of conf
dence, public and private; financial disaster
To The people Of our Slate, the diversion Of
emigration TO other States, and the procrss-
tination of the development of the resour-
ces Of the State, thus repressing all our en-
ergies, holding timidly in check the expan-
sive spirit Of enterprise now hopefully en-
gdging in the various industrial avocations
that create wealth and promote refinement
among people heretofore almost exclusive
ly agricultural, and subjected, in conse-
quence, 10 every description of hardship
and Inconvenience. .
confidently hope that The Assembly
will moi adjourn, either sine die or 10 fu-
ture day, leaving the railroad companies un-
provided for, and the State TO retrograde
in all the elements of prosperity and great
ness. In other States, suspension in the
prosecution Of public works has never
failed to postpone action for considerable
number OF years. In view of the spirit Of
enterprise manifested in nearly all the 9th.
er States in the West, what must be the
the effect Of policy that will cause such
result in this State? Is il not evident that
every interest in the State must suffer in
calculably from such legislation? And that
Missouri, possessing more ample resources
than any other State in the Union, and more
favored in geographical position than any
other, will, IN consequence, fall far behind
her neighbors in everything dependent upon
energy and sagacious enterprise? Will
Misso,Irians consent to thus expose their
interests 10 ruin, themselves TO be thrust
l., H., tL,ar- lA<a To-.
rivals and to become the laughing stock Of
the world? hope that State pride will
forbid il.
Having gotten system Of internal i'm
provements successfully in progress, after
surmounting SO many obstacles as had 10
be overcome by the friends of these works,
the roads far advanced towards completion,
and the golden prize almost within our
grasp, shall Missouri falter in its onward
march TO greatness, when very few mil
lions will save her from all the evils men,
toned, and secilre 10 her the permanence
nature designed her 10 enjoy, when by a
little additional effort we may secure 10 St.
Louis (ihe greatest mart of the State and
Of the West, and which city has exerted
her um ost in behalf of these great inter- !,
ests) and TO the tributary points in tne
State the advantages of greatly extended
commerce. and make our commercial me.
tropolis The great focus Of travel in the
Mississippi Valley, thercoy, to CORES
ponding extent, increasing our State reven-
ue, shall we, in View Of trifling expendi-
ture, abandon all hopes Of such brilliant
destiny? Just as the State is beginning 10
feel her strength, and the world 10 appreci-
ate our resources and ultimate commercial |
power, shall we desist from our efforts. and
thus, perhaps for years, cast q pail Of gloom
over our prospects?
If confidence is not felt in the directory |
Of the roads as now organized, and il is
thought that The Board OF Public Works is
incompetent TO sufficiently guard the inter.
ests OF the State, doubt not the companies,
as q condition OF receiving further aid, will
10 give the State a voice in their
several Boards Of Directors, and this, in
my opinion, would be o Just provision.
I bespeak for these suggestions your
careful consideration, and trust that your ac-
tson ,,,;li La s,,aL - ,,.;fi comrna,J ,,..tf