The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1865-06-10
The gnaepeaaent.
OSKALO0SA, KANSAS.
Saturday, June 10. 1865.
Leavenworth' and'Railroad

endeavored in these columns to point
out the true policy Of Leavenwo,h on
the subject of Railroads. We have re-
peatedly demonstrated by facts and
figures the positions We have taken and
sought to have our fellow citizens
of that en,erprising city act upon-;he
true and only policy which will make
Leavenworth the city on this side the
Missouri river. We have done this be-
cause We desired that Kansas should
have the commercial and other adyan-
tages Of such city. and no, another
State. But divided opinions. too grea,
delay. and then too great haste to get
some connection quickly, have operated
adversely, and we fear disastrously 10
the Railroad interests of the city. and
thereby to the best interests of the
State also.
We are told that the la,es. programme
Of our neighbors is to build a road TO
Wyandotte or Kansas City, and up
the river to Atchison. In the name of
reason and common sense, what for
A connection with St. Louis via Kansas
City wouli be worth something, and
should be secured. But what Of the
Ioad 10 Atchison on this side of the
river? Does the ambition of Leaven-
worth consist in desire 10 be made a
simple out-ol-the- way station in a road
from Kansas City to Atchison =? We
mean out of the way as regards the res,
of the world-not on that little line of
road, should i, be built.
Jus: look at the matter a moment.
Leavenworth is midway between the
two cities named, and has no connection
wiM the east except by one or tbs other of
them. She thus places herself thirty
miles ont Of the roy just to gire Aer
ne;ghbors that mach advantage oper her.
This may be magpanimous. Lut such
magnaimity will certainly prove suici-
dal.
Now, Leavenworth must either com
mand the railroad situation, or take
secondary place in the system of roads.
That is plain proposition. If she ever
holds the former position. she nauo, ''srS-
ter the field. This she never can do
while size .tritters array her strength on
swttches. One eastern connection now
or if she can secure both without
great pecuniary sacrifce-two, one BY
the Missouri Pacific, the other by the
Hannibal and 81. 10. roads, is all she
should try to get on the present basis
of roads, and this or these simply TO
secure speedy communication at all
seasons of tie year. But a moments
reflection will give any one to see that
these connections can only save her
from being cut off, and will never give
her any advantage over her rivals, but
always operate in their favor, in the
way Of Time and distance. Something
more than this must be done or Leayen-
worth fails, and if she fails. Kansas los
es the city of the plains. as we view
matters. Hence our interest in the
subject.
To command the situation Leaven-
worth must have the center. Nature
gives her this position. despite the alle-
cations TO the contrary. but the maneu-
vers Of rivals may throw her on the
flanks, as they are trying 10 do, and as
her policy seems TO be aiding them to
accomplish. How can she secure the |
desired position SO as 10 hold it? Easy
enough. Make Leavenworth the Rail.
road center. as it is the natural center
of The field.
This can only be done by securing
The shortest and straig ghtest line of trav-
el from east To west. The eastern part
Of such line is already secured by the
contemplated extension of the North
Missouri road 10 Leavenwor.h. The
next thing is. TO get straight line to
Topeka. thus uniting the Capital and
Commercial Metropolis Of the State. A
switch to Lawrence could be built quick
er. but it would only be a cut off, after
all. But direct line between the CT.
les named will make i. fully as near to
Kansas City via Leavenworlh, as via
Lawrence, and when tie North Missouri
connection is completed, will shorten
lie distance from Topeka to ST.. Louis
six miles over any Other route. !,
Forty five miles of road will unite !:
the city and Topeka. and give advant-
aces TO both that no other route can;
and. besides, it will unite the interests !,
& H.. o.tias