The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-04-17

interests of Kansas that we should lose the
Road, and we would rather wait than see
it built to our detriment- You may be
certain that when We feel that way, the
friends of the other route are feeling in the
same way. In addition to these grand
divisions, we have numerous subdivisions,
most of whom have their friends here,
laboring to promote their special local
interests by the building of the Road.
Missouri wants it built for the benefit of
her towns-St. Joseph, Kansas City, and
St. Louis-and by some ingenious hocus
pocus, she has managed to get two of her
most able men-Blair and Hall-on the
House Committee, who can do much in
moulding the Committee. Our Kansas
river towns also have their friends here,
who contend earnestly that after having
twice conquered rebel Missouri, the lands
of Kansas ought not to be used to build up
Missouri towns, and hatch out new nests
of Missouri rebels and traitors. But Kan
sas has no special friend on the Committee.
and from the protracted and dangerous
illness of our only member of the House,
we shall have no local champion and zeal
Gus friend in that body. Our reliance is
upon the Senate. In that body we are
equal in votes, and in tho influence of our
members to any other State, and able. we
trust, to protect, if We cannot advance, our
peculiar interests.
am glad to find that among our men
here from Kansas, the local squabbles Of
the Missouri towns is hushed in the pres
ence of the great State interest at stake in
securing the location of the Pacific Road
through the State. All here now take the
view of it taken by our last Legislature
that the interest of Kansas is the securing
of a great national thoroughfare in the
valley of the river, which traverses the
entire State from west to east, near its
central line. Let us secure this, and the
building of lateral roads, for the accommo-
dation and convenience of all portions of
the State, will be matter of comparative
case.
The Pacific Railroad Bill, which has been
several times deferred on account of the
Tax Bill (Which will be disposed of today,
will be taken up on Tuesday next, and it
is hoped to secure speedy action on it, and
its passage, in some shape, through that
body. Once through the House, it will be
speedily disposed of in the Senate. If it
is in a shape to secure the Road up the
Kansas Valley, it will pass without oppo-
sition from Kansas. If it is not, is will be
amended, if possible, and an effort made to
secure the concurrence of the House.
l would be glad if l could say to my
friends in Western Kansas, that their
interests would certainly be promoted by
the bill more than likely to become law
before the adjournment of Congress. But
l cannot. There are interests, powerful
interests, of capital and talent, at work
here, which are adverse to their interests,
and which may prevail. despite the honest
and ardent efforts of Kansas Congressman
and citizens to prevent it.
The sickness Of Mr.. Conway, at this time,
is especially unfortunate. He is, of course,
our chief reliance in the House, and his
absence from his seat cannot be easily sup
piled. His friends all fear that his disease
latent pleurisy-is to have fatal termi-
nation. He is popular member of the
House, and his death would be a serious
loss to the State. Yours, truly,
r. McBRArsEr.