The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-12-01
NEW ROUTE TO CHICAGO.

Cars are now running from Racine, WIS.,
consin, via Savannah and Fulton, to Coroova,
in this county,-and the. iron is now laid
from Cordova to Lyford Greek, within about
Ia miles of Port Byron. 1t is expected that
the track will be completed to Port Byron in
a few days. This road, from Racine to Port
Byron, is owned by the Northern Illinois
Railroad Company,-while the Chicago &
Rock Island company have lease OF the
road from Port Byron to the Junction above
Moline. and from that point. to this city, runs
on its own track.
The Northern Illinois Co. will either pur-
chase the road from the junction to Port By
ron or build a new one, and will also build
new road from the junction to this city.
Il will thus be seen thst at no very dist
ant day, we shall have competing line of
railroad communication to Chicago, and over
nearer route than by the way of LaSalle.-
We can then reach Chicago, by way of Port
Byron and Cordova to Fulton. and from there
to Chicago by the Chicago Galena Air
Line, or what is now called the Northwestern
Railway Co., the distance being some 10 or
Is miles nearer than the present route, via
LaSalle and Joliet We shall also have di-
rect route to Lake Michigan. at Racine, Wis
consin.
We trust that this new route will be the
means of giving this county, and that portion
of Iowa IN this vicinity, cheaper transporta-
ton both to and from the east.
In this connection the following article
from Davenport paper Is not inappropriate ::
FIoHr On The strife between Chicago and
ST. Louis for the trade of the northwest is waxing
high. Chicago is alarmed, and proposes war up
on the railroad monopohes which have been grow
ing fat while the honest producers have been get
ting lean. How long has 1t been since Davenport
lost some her business men-driven from here
account of their inability to do business under the
exactng freghts of the railroads between this and
Chcago7 How much pork is packed here now
compared with a few years ago The profits OF
this business are absorbed by the scandalous tar
ifs and the operations OF packers has languished
until packing is no longer great and growing IN
terest. St. Louis marks her chance and is pro-
posing railroad and steamboat lines without stint
and will back them up with capital. What Will
be the RESULT There will be competition in
freights, which will be reduced to the very lowest
rates consistent with fair profit to carriers To-
wa will be no longsr at the mercy OF monopolIsts,
aud the great drawback to our prosperity Will be
removed, 1t will pay to raise grain, pay to raise
stock, pay to manufacture, because our products
can go to market without the payment of irelghts
which amount to half the value of the articles
themselves. This will increase immigration,
stimulate agriculture, stock raising, and every ma
terial industry, and Iowa will not be considered
out of the world for purposes ofInvestment OF cap
ital. We want Chicago and St. Louis to keep up
the hubbub having respect to which WHIPS
1t is a matter OF dollars and cents to them as 1t is
to the people of Iowa. If the contention results
in breaking down the extortions of monopolIsts, 1t
will give honest their dues. The sooner rail-
roads learn that they were made for the country
and not the country for them the better will 1t be
for all concerned.