The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1865-06-17
Our Railroads.


contemplated and the lines in course of
construction, SO far as We are advised,
are not calculated to accomplish tha, for
our State which is required to secure
the best interests of the same.
One company is in the interest OF St,
Louis: another ofChicago. bu, where
ia the company in favor Of Kansas?
The L. P. 4 w. Company did moth
ing but disappoint public expectation.
and dicker around in contemplate in-
trigaes to get money for its officers
They either never had the interests Of
the State at heart, or else had such
poor way of manifesting that interest as
to mislssd the public in regard TO their
And what have we now? A compa-
ny looking out for St. Louis interests
exclusively. No point in Kansas will
be benefited by their action, except in
cidenily and necessarily by the fac, of
the existence Of railroad; unless they
are tributary to St. Louis. We do not
blame the men for this. They reside
in St. Louis; their interests are there;
they wish to make that famous city:
and We hops i, will become such. But
the blame lies in the Kansas company,
who sold out without securing the inter
ests Of the Stale.
Il 10 not the policy Of St. Louis 10
build up rival out here; but to make
all our cities contribute to her aggrand
isement. And this policy will Re kept
steadily in view by the Picific Railroad
Co. E. D. They have already com
menced carrying it out. Leavepwor;h.
Lawrence. Kansas City-all mus, be
under tribute to st. Louis. Mark
ibis.
On the other hand Chicago is equal
ly interested in drawing all the western
world to herself. and the road TO the
northward is designed to be SO manag-
cd rs to pour money into her Golfers
Between the two Kansas has fair show
Of getting nothing but the crumbs
that fall from their tables
Had wisdom guided our counsels.
and honesty instead of utter seIfshness
shaped our affairs, We should have had
matters in a much better condition. AT
one lime. We had the power 10 dictate
terms--the terms upon which railroads
should be made 10 our State Leaven-
worth tho't she had secured something
by means Of the exercise Of this legiIi-
mate power; but she was sold out and
the State too) by the company. because
the condilions were not made more bind
ing and stringent. Much was left TO
the honor of the men composing the
company. who were thought TO be sound.
but this dependence has proved bro
ken reed;' the honor depended upon
has vanished away and Leaveuvor.h
is lef. out in the cold.
No company has been organized in
Kansas. SO Tar as we know. with such
restrictions and conditions imposed BY
the charter. as will make the develop
ment Of Kansas and the up. building OF
her cities paramount, consideration.
Personal considerations and selfish
interests have shsred Legislation entire
" too much; and the State must now
suffer the consequence.
Local prejudices have also had much
to do in preventing the adoption of a
truly wise policy on the subject of rail-
rosds Every little village, almost. con-
siders itself the '.hub Of the universe. >
and unl-ss ns interests arc looked after.
things may so 10 smash. Instead Of
wise emulation On The part Of rivals.
there las been jealous envy. and topull
down = neighbor has been the policy
rather than to build up a grand whole.
The result is Kansas is left prey to
outside influences, which seek TO deyour
instead oi fos;eiiag her. Her towns
are mere stations on roads 10 other
POINTS. and she is left to contribute to
tho welfare of others.
We fear Il is too late to remed these
evils.ia and that from struggle for life,
she viii come up crippled. in part al
least, sud destined never 10 secure that
prominence Of position in railroad mat
tiers which she ought to have had. and
which her natural position gives her.
A united. determined and perseyer-
ing effort might now restore affairs 10
their proper condition: but We do not
see any signs Of such movement. nor
do ws believe that the jealousies and
risairiss EXISTING will permit the adop-
r IL