The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1860-07-21
A RAILROAD CONVENTION.

| The Topeka State Record of the 7th con-
tains suggestion for general Railroad
Convention of the people of Kansas to be
held some time during the coming Fall, at
some convenient point, for the purpose of
harmonizng the conflicting railroad inter
ests of the Territory, and agreeing upon
some plan or system which may be eener
ally acceptable, and for the construction of
which grant of lands may be asked from
the next Congress, and pressed upon that
body with the entire voice of the people of
the Territory.
If harmony and unity of action can be
brought about by a Convention represent
ing all the railroad interests of the Terrific
ry. by all means let US have ane. Nothing
certainly can be more desirable: and while
we do not have much faith in the success
OF the project, We are in favor of the Con-
vention. There can be nothing lost. at all
events, and may be something made.
The interests of the Territory are Ian
gushing for the want of Railroads which
cannot be constructed for many years, with
out the assistance of land grants from the
general Government; and to obtain this
needed assistance at an early day union and
concert of action on the part of those in
terested is essential.
Whether this proposed Convention shall
accomplish the desired end or not, if held,
the railroad interests of Central, Southern
and Southwestern Kansas, should be repre-
scented in it. II there is any good to re-
suit from it we want to share it.
The railroad projects in which the people
of this section feel the deepest interest, and
which are most intimately connected with
their prosperity are that from Jefferson
City west, through Missouri and Kansas to
Emporia. connecting with the Pacific Road
at the former place; aad that from Topeka
to Emporia. connecting with the Topeka
and Atchison road, and the chain leading
TO the East via the great Lakes. These two
routes upen up the heart of Kansas to the
whole country. East and South. The inter
ests of this portion of the Territory demand
the construction of these roads at an early
day. On this point the people are united
and enthusiastic; and they win give literally
of their means to aid these projects. The
jefferson City and Neosho Valley road is
already surveyed to this place and in Mis-
souri, the work of grading it is being vigor-
ously carried on. The Emperia ana Tope-
ka road can be surveyed at any time. Hard
as the times are, the people will subscribe
the necessary funds for this purpose as soon
as the Company will say the word.
We propose TO the people along the
lines of these roads. from Topeka to Empo-
ria and from Emporia to the Missouri State
line. that they hold meetings at different
places. and choose men to represent them
in this Railroad Convention. whenever and
wherever held. Now is the time to COM
mence. Congress meets the first Monday
in December, and the Convention will prob
ally be held as soon as the middle of Octo-
Der in order to give time for preparation for
the operations of the Congressional session
1t will take some notice TO get the people to-
gether. and the sooner il is done the better
Farmers can better attend such meetings
now than two months hence. Let us move
in the matter at orce.