Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-02-02
The OskalOosa Convention. .. What was
lsOnes

hone.
In our issue Of Sunday last, it will
be remembered, that we co lied a short
notice from Burlington paper in re-
gard to tho Oskxloosa Railroad conven-
ton, to the effect thSt the convention
had adjourned without doing any thing.
The convention, rs we have previously
informed our readers, was called by
certain enemies Of the Mississippi and
Missouri Railroad Company for the
purpose Of diverting the promised aid
Of DesMoines, to another company, and
to concentrate the influence of the en-
tire railroad interest of the DcsMoines
Valley to assist in it's construction.
When therefore the call was published,
both Keokuk and Burlington seized the
project with avidity and each determ-
ined in its own mind that its road
should be that "other road" and both
places were consequently enthusiastic
in favor of the road and furious at any
one who dared to laugh at them.
Muscatine, place which manages to
have its nose in almost every thing,
whether it has any business there or
not, also was greatly in favor of the
convention, hoping that by some
chance the convention might resolve
TO advise the completion of its branch
of the Mississippi and Missouri railroad
and accordingly she was also represen-
ted in the "DesMoines Valley" railroad
convention. A body composed Of such
conflicting elements, each determined
if it could not carry ont its own point
to defeat the plans of the others, it may
be imagined, was not particularly un-
animous or harmonious in its action.
The counties represented were the fol-
lowing Lee, DesMoines, Van Buren,,
Jefferson, Wapcllc, Mahaska, Keokuk,
Muscatine, Johnson, Marion, Powe-
shiek, Polk, Tama, Blackhawk, and
the whole number OF votes allowed to
be cast was two hundred and seventy.
After great deal of somewhat excited
discussion, the following resolutions in
favor of the Keokuk road were passed
Resoivsd. That this Convention is in favor
Of and will do all that can be done to aid in
building the X. r. from the city of Des
Moines by way Of Pella, Oskaloosa and OF
tumwa. 80 as to form u southern and such
eastern connections as will be thereby af
forded with the Capital Of the State
RESOLVED, That we have full confidence in
the good faith Of the keokuk, TT. DesMoines
4 MINI. r. X. Co.. and if it can show itself
in condition to build this road speedily, this
Convention would recommend the extension
to said Company OF such aid by counties and
individuals ~ will Insure its completion at
the earliest practicable day.
Resolved, That this Conv ention 10 in favor
OF what is called the central road to the
Pacific. and recommend such action on the
part of Congress ss will insure its early
construction.
Muscatine and Burlington came
away diss ppointed, and neither ofthem
10 now as much in favor Of the Con-
vention as they were.
In order to gain full understand
ing Of the effect and influence which
these resolutions will have in diverting
the "Ra,lroad interests of the Des
Aoines Valley, it is simply necessary
to state that Keokuk (Lee county,
was allowed forty votes in the conveu.
tion, while other counties we're allowed
but ten OF twenty.
Suct preponderance on the part
either Of Burlington or Muscatine
would have carried the resolutions for
them. The matter is not BY anv
means settled yet The fight is but
commenced.