The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-06-06

discussion. They passed o resolution empower
-ing the Chairman to call meeting of the Com
'mittee to take into consideration the subject of
nominating Chief Justice, should vacancy
occur, after decision of the question now pend
ing between Messrs. Watson and Cobb. before
the Supreme Court, shall have been decided.
SMOKY HILL VALLEY AND LEAvENW0RTH
We have faith in the Smoky Hill Valley.
Such fertility of soil, beautiful scenery, mineral
wealth, and that great natural advantage, an
abundance of water, seals the fate of this Valley
to no secondary standing among the great val
lies of the continent. By this Valley is afforded
perfect line Of communication, lacking o few
artificial improvements, between the great plains
of the West and the Missouri river. Along this
route, two hundred miles west from Leaven-
worth, an industrious population exists, adding
their labor to the advantages bestowed by Provi-
dence. There is not an unproductive spot with
in its limits. but luxuriant growth of grass
is to be found. which, with its bountiful supply
of water. remarkably adapts it to the motive
power of the frontier. So naturally perfect is
this great thoroughfare that one span of horses
can draw two thousands pounds over any por-
ton Of the road. Of such advantages the adyo-
Gates of no other route can boast.
We have urged upon Leavenworth capitalists
the advantages that would accrue to them from
an opening and working of our Salt Springs,
and later. the bridging of the Republican. Solo.
mon, and Saline, with q view to bring the Santa
Fe trade north of the Kaw. and thereby efectu-
ally secure it to Leayenworth. We have thus
sought aid of Leavenworth, believing that the
advanced market in the immediate neighbor-
hood, consequent upon such Improvements. would
in short time remunerate for any outlay. The
rapid approach towards our Salt Springs. Of the
Leavenworth. Pawnee and Western Railroad,
will cause them to be developed, and thus will
arise, in the vicinity Of the proposed bridges, q
trade that will far outstrip that of Santa Fe,
and throw into Leavenworh its millions an
nually. The facts are so practical and incontro-
vertible, that We are surprised Leavenworth
energy has not been particularly directed to the
Smoky Hill Valley. 1t is useless waste Of
means and enterprise devoted to field where
exists powerful rival. with natural barrier
between you and the game. while but short
distance to the right. lies an open rich, unoccu-
pied field, where no rival can enter.
But there is another desideratum for Leaven.
worth consideration. Our attention has been
called to this subject again, by q very interest
ing article in the Leavenworth Times, under
the caption, "Colorado and its Gold" Statis-
tics are given, which show that not twithstanding
war and its coneomitant absorbents have chiefly
directed popular attention towards other fields Of
interest, yet Colorado has steadily and rapidly
progressed in substantial improvements, until
now she stands the pvsudest and most prosper.
-ous Of American Territories. We cannot do this
article justice in cutting it down, and therefore
defer it until next week, when it will appear in
full. 1t is remarkable fact, that our assertion
that by bridging the streams on the Smoky Hill
Route almost the entire trade of New Mexico
would be secured to Leavenworth, has not been
disputed, but passed by in silence, by the
champions Of the old Route, while Leavenworth
papers have endorsed the idea. We must be
content for the present with the concluding par
agraphs of the article:
"With a population of 80, 900 people, increas-
ing at the rate Of 5000 q year, all dependent on
the East for . large portion of staple supplies,
that Territory possesses an immense commerce,
which is rapidly assuming vast proportions.
This commerce naturally seeks o buying market
at the nearest and most available points and as
the Platte Valley is tie easiest travelled route,
the trade chiefly goes to Omaha and Nebraska
cities, as being the most available points. At
Gibson and st. Joseph have considerable share,
while Leavenworth has at present only small
portion of this trade. as - sad
"Kansas and Colorado are connected BY ties
other than geographical. The people are similar
IN their love OF liberty. untiring energy and de.
termined purpose. Many of the most enterpris.
ing citizens Of Colorado were pioneers from the
stirring scenes of Kansas. Hence they should
De closely related commercially. Leavenworth
should possess the monopoly of trade from Colo
fado But the North Missouri towns derive the
Dement'S OF that trade because they have the ad-
Ian@ge OF nearness by practical travel routes.
The distance from Denver to Leayenvorth is
less by the Smoky Hill Route than that from
penYer to Omaha by the Platte. Let q road be
opened up the Smoky Hill or Solomon Fork. and
1eavenwOrth can rival all other commerc;al
points for that trade. in that her merchants can
greatly undersell up river town merchants. and
also offer choice and sales from heavier stocks
js becoming matter Of deep concern to Leaven
worth merchants. yet that commerce is far less
in amount than that Of Colorado. HOWEVER,
BY A WELL ARRANGED AND SUBSTAN-
TALLY CONSTRUCTED ROAD LEADING
UP THE VALLEY OF. THE SMOKY HILL,
ALMOST THE ENTIRE TRADE OF THESE
TWO TERRITORIES COULD BE SECURED
TO QLEAVENWORTH. 1t only remains for her
merchants and capitalists to open practical
commercial avenue Of this character. Let that
once be done. aud commerce already counted
by millions and annually Increasing. would give
IS superiour benefits to the building up Of The
future Great Metropolis of Kansas .gtlss