, 1861-01-28
MINNESOTA RAILWAY MATTERS.

MINNESOTA NAILWAT MATTERS.
The Minnesota Legislature is now III scs7
sion, and as Chicago is deeply Interested
in the development Of that State, it will
not be transccnling our duties if we make
u few suggestions in regard to that policy
which in our Judgment would best pro
mote her prosperity. Our readers are
aware TINT previous to the general crasl,
in thc fall Of 1857, stimulated by magnif-
cent grant Of lands for rai1wa y purposes,
Minnesota had spread over her immense
territory complete net work OF
railways; but the hard times
came On and left her without 4 single mile
completed. Short crops, low prices for
lumber, and immense depreciation in prop
crty followed, and for the last three years
the finances Of Minnesota have beer in a
sorr7 condition. Inst summer her crops
we're abundant and the quality excel
lent, and like other portions Of the North
West, bright and cheering prospects
are now opening before this young, v'go-
rous and cnterprising State lfher present
legislature acts wisely, and concentrates
the energies Of the people upon the opening
ola sin glc line Of railway to her CONNER
cial centre, such degree Of prosperity will
lie secured that others will radiate from
that point much more rapidly than most
people expect
Bo,1l Chicago and Milwaukee are now
reached directly by rail with La Cross, ,op-
posite la Crescent, the mosnsouthcr]y town
in Minnesota. Another road is projected
south from La Crosse to a1uscoda on the
Milwaukee Is Mississippi Railway, and will
doubtless be completed by the time ang
considerable portion Of the line in Mime
sofa cen be put in operation north AMI
westward from La Crescent. That will give
Minnesota choice Of routes east and soutll
from La Crescent, always insuEing low
freights and fares, and every facility neces.
cary to her commerce.
From Ia Crescent the line is direct by
Chatfcld, Rochester, Owatona and Farri-
bault to st. Paul, minneapolis aud St. An
thony. 4 very considerable portion Of the
road il already graded, and itruns through
one Of the xost productive and populous
portions Of the State. Minnesota has now
population and resources, il it is built hon
esily and for the lowest prices, to warrant
its completion at an early day. II the
State will extend its aid to this road alone
as being now the most necessary and i'm
portant, it would ct once inspire confidence
in the work, and 10th Milwaukee, and Chi
caso would ut once combine their energies
10 complete the work. Built as it can be
at small cost for the line is q most favor
able one, with the increasing prosperity Of
Minnesota the road would pay handsome
dividend to its stockholders. The carly
history Of the Galena road is conclusive Oh
this point !.
VIC need not dEali on the extensive busi-
ness it would command. St, Paul. A1innea-
polls and St, Anthony are prosperous cities
and always must be, and the road would
be the great central artery Of Tie commerce
and the travel Of the State. The policy Of
starting the road from La Crescent where it
would at o1cc connect wita The La Crosse
road needs scarcely moments argument
rs soon as tho first forty miles are conl-
plcted, it will prove Of immense advan-
tase to Minnesota, Our reasons for this
opinion were fully illustrated after /. per
sonal inspection ofportions Of the, line in
the summer Of 1856, aud subsequent events
have only confirmed our views in regard 10
this whole subject. Let Minnesota con-
centrate ler energies upon this line, and
it can be built within the next two and ut
most three years, and then the State will
enter upon a career OF prosperity which
will very soon realize for her the highest
hopes Of her most sanguine friends The
energy and the intelligence Of her people,
her healthy bracing climate and the luxuri-
ancc Of ler soil, mark her at no distant
day as one Of the leading States in the
Unicu.