The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1865-11-25
Kansas Railroads.

and conferred upon US as gratulty,
:hey would not pay running expenses.
How. then. can they pay running ex-
peuses, repairs and interest on invest
ments during the next ten years? They
cannot do il. Even the New York Cen
trail did not pay its way for years!
But there are few roads that will
Tpay from the start-one or two. at least
The Pacific road viii pay. as will few
Of its immediate connections. 1t isros-
+sible the Pixies Peak road will pay tho
being parallel with the Pacific will oper-
ate somewhat against it.
Leavenworth has now about secured
the building Of direct road to Gamer
on; and the North Missouri road is COM
ing surely towards her. These roads
mus, and will come to the metropolis Of
Kansas. Self-interest will compel them
to do so. What then? Why, Leaven-
worth is right at the apex Of the short
lines eastward-,he one to Chicago. the
other to S.. Louis. But to make this
result certain, che must hold the same
positions to the roads resf of her. How
can she do tGS>? She is already pre-
pared for the LeaSnworth. Lawrence
and Fort Gibson roal. This is well.
But far, far more important is il tha,
she shall be in the cen,re-at the apex
of the short line to the Pacific, TO Santa
F-. Upon this depends her life. Take
from her the plains trade, and she is al
most nothing. How may she secure
Ills end T? By an air line road to Tope-
la. and thence to Santa Fe. A look at
the map shows This to be the direct route; /;
and i, is the only one that will make
Leavenvoslh master Of tie position.
Such road will compel the bridging
Of the Missouri a, Leayenworih for the
cars TO run directly through to the east
or the west. Nothing else OM secure
this essential Advantage.
We venture to say that there is not
a practical railroad man IN the United
States, free from interest or prejudice
in the premises, that will not say at
once and unhesitatingly, upon being
made acquainted with the position, that
this is the road Of first importance to
Leayenworth; and every such one viii
be surprised that there is or ever was a
division Of opinion on this point among
her business men.
This position we took FIVE years ago.
as soon as We become acquainted with
the geography Of the country. aud time
has only confirmed the correctness OF
our views, then put forth.
There must be point somewhere in
Ihe State at which the diverging lines
Of road shall find center. Lawrence
is seeking 10 become that point. So is
Atchison. Wishing both these places
we'll, VIC nevertheless think it would be
a sad day for Kansas. as State. when
they should win the end they aim at.
as then, in our judgment. the 'scepter
would depart from US and 60 tG>Mis-
souri,. But the roads mast and riU find
a center. Will Leavenwor,h become
that center BY seizing The golden oppor-
tuniiy now, or let it pass. and lose the
prize forever ? THIS is a most import
ant question for her business m n to
answer; and answered il must be ere
long. for the fnexorable logic OF events
is shaping the future Of Kansas now;
and they who work must work while il
is day and work wisely. too. or their
Iabors will prove Improbable, and they
will 'hold an empty shell. while another
wins the golden fish,"
As We ave said, no narrow views
have led US TO express these opinions.
We speak~in behalf of the State. II is
not simply Leavenwor,h. as such. but
LeavenwortL as city out Of our State
that most deeply interests us. With
the roads nov coming towards her, this
one sOiA place her beyond tie reach cj' RI
vatry. and no other w,H. AwW giue her
serenteen miles the advantage westward
in a direct distance Of only .torty.fve
miles; and besides Mat. place ter in tie
geographical short-line. railroad center.
Never had city finer opportunity
10 make her fortune sure; and only folly
on her own part can divert The prize
from her grasp.
A1~ Aur.lora eod rohhe rice ha vs ho.