The Big blue union. [volume] (Marysville, Kan.) 1862-1866, 1863-05-02


relating thereto will gain the attention Of our
readers without special Recommendation from
US: .s@e -. -. .z =se'~ E,srr sss:S fs:S;
The great Importance of having railroad
to run directly west from our city, is 1n6Ra4e
ALL Without we cannot control the trade. of
the distant West and with tive can. = With
out it the bonds 69, ,sOOl issued by us to aid.-in
building the ST. Joseph Topeka, and the St. Jo-
seph s. Denver City Railroads, with the interest
paid, and to be paid, will be comparatively lost
while with it We shall be amply compensated
he FIVE miles of the latter road, which are COM
pleted, are beng used for local purposes. Ow-
ing to the encroachments of the river, it became
necessary to take up some of thetrack, running
to the waters edge, and remove large number
of iron rails not yet laid, which has been done.
Both of these roads are still in debt, and at
least one judgment has been rendered against
each company. The City as the largest stock
holder, has controlling influence and should
elect such delegates as will take an interest iu
them, and see that nothing is done to her preju-
dice. 1t is very important that she retain her
interest in and control over them, for if they
should get into private hands, private interests
will be subserved, and it may, and perhaps will
prove to her very serious loss. ii
By the Union Pacific Railroad Bill, which
passed Congress last summer, the Hannibal and
st. joseph Railroad Company was authorized to
construct branch frcm St. Joseph, "via Atchi-
son." and with the consent of the Kansas Legis-
lature, to build branch on the most direct and
practicable route West from this place. This
consent, am informed, although not asked by
tha Company, was re fused by the Legislature.
That refusal if it expresses the final determina.
tion of the people of that State, would be con-
elusive, unless the bill should be amended by
Congress. But when the question is better un
derstood, and the people Of Kansas see how in
furious such refusal will prove to one of the fine
st portions Of her State, without corresponding
benefits to them, it can hardly be possible that
when asked they will refuse to grant permission.
| 1t should be considered that such refusal does
not insure the construction of the branch "via
Atchison" but may, and no doubt will endanger
both. The whole matter is discretionary with
the Hannibal and st. Joseph Railroad Company,
and if it cannot get the right of constructing a
branch that will pay, it will scarcely construct
one, which to say the least, will be Of doubtful
profit. The eastern terminus Of the "main
stem" is in Nebraska, and will be at least fifty
miles north of st. Joseph. Atchison is thirteen
miles south of us. Any road then by way of
Atchison will be circuitous; will require long
er time and greater expense to run it and keep
itup, than route direct from here. That
branch, if built, is required to "unite with the
road through Kansas" To do SO will at once
bringit into dangerous competition with the
Kansas Valley branch, and the connections with
it will form with the Pacific Road of Missouri,
and thence by way Of st. Louis to the East
The influences that can and will be brought to
bear in favor of the Southern Route will make
it rival much to be feared. Will it be good
policy to construct branch subject to such OBJ
jections, even with the aid of the Federal Gov
ernment, its whole length? Yet these object
ions are true, and challange scrutiny and in
| VeStlgatl0n. W nile IL lS cOnSlOereu tnhL tue
road "via Atchison, will not Fay and therefore
not likely to be built, and the people Of Kansas
by refusing their consent may be deprived of
both branches, it is morally certain that a road
built " on the most direct and practicable route
west from st. Joseph" will pay, and being the
shortest and quickest route would soon command
the trade and travel Of the west, and become a
part of the great national thoroughfare. At
this time, the laws regulating trade and COM
merce are too well understood to doubt that
We hear too much Of ir line roads, not to esti-
mate the Importance Of direct routes, and that
time is money is maxim that all have learn
ed to appreciate. This view, if need be, is
strengthened by the arguments and concessions
of those whose local interests are opposed to our
own. The st. Louis press, ever watchful of
what may effect the interests Of that city, has
frequently alluded to the question, and comedies
the superior advantages Of cur route over any
other south Of us, that viii connect with the
eastern terminus of the main road in Nebrask
1t may be that the Hannibal and St. Joseph
Railroad Company do not contemplate building
any branch from here, but reason teaches tn at
if one is built it will be the most direct and the