The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1861-10-19
THE STATE CAPITAL.


There seems to be but little interest TAX
en- in the question of the location of the
State Capital, in this region of the country,
and yet it is matter of vital interest to us
all. Everybody should vote on this ques-
ton. We believe that the best thing the
voters of Southern Kansas can do at pres
ent is to vote for Lawrence, for the State
Capital. The contest lies between Topeka
and Lawrence. and we will give our rea-
sons for thinking that we should all vote
for the latter place:
If Southern Kansas was settled as thick
ly as it ought to be, and will be in FIVE years
from now, under an ordinary reign of pros
perity, she could control this matter, and
secure the location somewhere near the CEN
ter of the State, which would be at some
point at least sixty miles South of the Kaw
river. But we have got to take matters as
they exist. The country, South of the
Kaw, issparcely settled. owing TO contin
ual train of adverse circumstances. and we
suppose it would be to the accommodation
of the greatest number of the inhabitants
of the State to have the Capital located for
a few years, at least, on the Kaw river. All
will admit this. This being the case, we
think it is to the interests of Southern Kan
sas, to have it located as near the border as
possible, in order that it may be the more
easily removed. In most Of the Western
States. if not all, the Capitals have first
been located on the borders of the States,
and afterwards removed to the center, after
the interior had become settled. This
should be the case in Kansas, and we doubt
not will be- it will be easier to remove
the Capital from Lawrence than Topeka,
because the former city is some thirty miles
nearer the bo, der than the latter. There
will be no State buildings erected for
five years, because we have not the money
TO spare for such purpose, nor will we
have within that time. At the end of that
time there can be another vote had. and
then Southern Kansas will be strong enough
to locate it where she wants it.
AS to advantages, accommodations, etc.
Lawrence is far ahead of Topeka. She has
hotels for the accommodation of the mem
bers and the public; her halls are much
more suitable, and better adapted to the
wants of the two houses Of the Legislature
with committee rooms attached, and every
thing to aid in the business OF Legislation.
She has hack lines and mail routs to ev-
cry portion of the State, which is not the
case with Topeka. If any of our citizens
wish to go to Topeka by public conveyance
they have first to go to Lawrence. why
not transact their business at Lawrence,
and not spend an extra day or two IN going
from there to Topeka to do 1T? AT the
present time we do not know OF a single
line of stages running to any point IN South
ern Kansas from Topeka. There IS no traV-
ell or business communication between this
section Of country and Topeka ana II
persons lere have little business at the
Capital they have to procure their own
team and go themselves, or await the sio"
motions of weekly horse -back mail. from
Lawrence to this place there IS trl-Weehiy
hack line and mail, which supplies this
whole region of country with its Eastern
mail, and the business communication De-
tween the two points is sufficient TO supply
all our wants, and the people of Brecken
ridge, Madison. Greenwood, Butler nun
ter and Chase counties, would have oPpor-
tunities alnos; every day to SEND 10 Inc
Capital to have business transacted II II
is at Lawrence, instead of having to wait
week or two if it is continued at Topeka
We hope the people of these counties VIII
bear this important matter IN m'hd VINE"
they come 10 vote for the Capital. La"
renee, in connection with different points
in the South, is endeavoring to push her
mail routes and hack lines further into the
outer districts. Just as soon as business
will warrant it they will be extended to Eu
reka, Eldorado. Chelsea. Cottonwood r aiis'
etc. The people OF those counties will huF-
ry this thing along by voting for lawrence
We tell the people there is no ''moonshine
as much to furnish the people IN the South
with mails and means of communication
with the East as any point on the Kaw. aud
she will do more.
The people of the counties above men
toned, as well as some others, do all their
trading at Leavenworth aud Lawrence.
Those two points will. at no very late day.
We believe, be connected by railroad
Lawrence will then be even more than it Is |
now, the business center of the interior, and /
would it not be greatly to the advantage
of the people of Central aud Southern Kan