The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1862-08-23
KANSAS RAILROADS.

Our readers know that the Pacih
Railroad law gives into the hands of tn
legislature of Kansas the determining
of one route of the road through th'
State. AT great expense the capitalist
Interested in the Hnnnibal and ST. 10
seph Railroad obtained clause in tina
law authorizing them. with the consen
; of Kansas, to run line OF road d'rec
from St. Jo. to the main road in Ne
braska. TO secure the consent OF Kan
sss through the next legislature to thi;
scheme, will be the great object Of thai
company. They know that if they car
succeed in this. they will be able to
control Kansas interests. and Gomineer
here as they do in Missouri; and to gain
their selfish purposes and enrich them
selves, they will not hesitate TO trample
under foot the best interests OF nine
tenths of the State. Corporations are
soul-less. and what do they care for
the interests of others, SO their own
ends are accomplished ?
Almost, not more than four counties
Of Kansas would be directly benefited
by this northern route. while most the
rest Of the State would suffer. How :?
The facilities at command Of the
Hannibal and St. Joseph road are such
that they could complete connection
with the main branch sooner than any
other line. and monopolize the business.
We have plenty Of evidence of their
disposition to do so in Missouri; all
they seek is the opportunity. How
they have fought US on connections out
Of this State through Missouri, which
did not chime with their schemes OF
self aggrandizemen;9 With what un-
relenting bitterness have they followed
US and beat as. whenever this matter
has been up. They are still the same;
and if they get Kansas under control.
as they have had Missouri. it vii! take
our State quarter Of a century to re-
cover from the effects OF the heartless
policy they will pursue. Why? Be-
cause they will endeavor to cripple and
keep down every other road. as We all
know they have done in Missouri.
What then9 Let that company run
a line to intersect the central route at
fsome point in this State, thus securing
TO us the united strength OF the COM
panies, and not the dirided and ever.
las'ingly destructive policy which mus,
follow paralyzing rivalry. This will
keep matters under the control of the
State.
The ST. 10. road can take as near a
!. straight line as possible TO Topeka,
which will bring the road near Grass
hopper Falls in this county. We hold
that the interests of the State are para
} mount to those of any county or locali-
J ty. and would not claim benefit for
our county that should injure the State.
! But in this case the interests of State
] and county are undivided. The best
point for the St. 10. line to unite with
the central road would be at the capi.
tal Of the State; and as our interest
centers in Kansas and not in Missouri,
we want the starting point to be At
Gibson and not st. Joseph. Besides.
there will be less road to build by this
route than by any other. the connecting
points Of which sre both in this State.
Atchison needs road. and ought to
have one. Next to Leavenworth it is
the most important point in Kansas on
the river, and should be cared for. We
feel assured, therefore, that in seeking
the welfare Of Jefferson county in this
matter. We are also working for the
best interests Of other points. and for
the State a: large. and so believing we
shall labor for the consummaticn of
this work. until better way can be
pointed out. which we do not believe
can be done.
We know the people along the line
from St. Jo. westward are clamoring
for that route; and 10 obtain it they are
willing to let the rest of the State suffer.
1t is in exact accordance with human
nature for them to be thus selfish; let
them work away. But the man in
central or southern Kansas, who will
vote for the northern route. under ex
isting circumstances. is knave. fool.
or lunatic.
1t is a question Of overshadowing
importance. We know it is claimed by
some in the four northern counties,
that the nennle of Kansas are manor ous