The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1867-11-29
OUR VALLEY ROAD.


We have inquiries propouDded to US
almost daily about the prospects of our
Neosho Valley Railroad-some of them
prompted by q distrust of the enterprise,
and seme through impatieDcs at what
seefs Gesdless delay in the prosecution
of wofs. share 10 the feelings of
those VI no ara impatient to see the iron
horse: speeding his way down our
Valley on his way from the Pacific to the
Gulf; but we try, patiently as possible,
to accommodate ourselves to what we know
TO be the inevitable delays in the prose
cution Of enterprises of such magnitude.
The delays that attend the smallest and
least complicated of human undertakings
are multiplied az hundred fold in cases
where associated effort is necessary,
and the required capital such as individ-
ual means cannot, alone, furnish. Bear
ing in mind these facts, we have been
prepared for some delays in the conslruc.
ton of our Valley road, and especially
when We realize through what meagre
means it has. grown from nothing TO its
present promise of complete success.
But We think that as yet there has been
no delay. A vast amount of preliminary
work has to be done, which, while abso-
lu!ely necessary and conducive TO the ul =
innate success, makes nc showing like
''cuts and fills" d" bridges and culverle."
The right of way has to be secured, the
route located (Which latter always takes
two surveys, and often more) depot
grounds secured at the initial point, and
many other things, which do not need
suggesting to bring to the minds Of intel
ligent and well-informed persons. These
things not only have to be done, but
must be done in advance of the necessary
manual labor, else the latter will be OF
no avail.
Gentlemen Of undoubted means and
business ability have contracted to build
our Valley Railroad within a specified
time. 1t is not the commencement We are
interested in bat the completion; not the
means but the end. Our bonds are voted
upon conditions that make tie people
safe. The contract is made in such a
manner that the contractors get nothing
except as they complete the work, and
not then unless they complete it within
Ca. aia tine. They have The laboriug
oar, and have right to consult their own
interest and convenience as to manage
ment and intermediate matters generally.
Now, while the contractors are bound
only to the fulfllment Of their contract ec-
cording TO its terms, yet, with enlarged
views of the situation, they are now pur-
suing their interests under that contract
in the direction best calculated to subserve
the interests of the whole people of the
Neosho Valley, and also of the State at
large. They propose, if possible, to &C.
cure Government subsidies TO build The
road-securiDg which. of course, they re
hnquish those voted by the counties.
The people of the Neosho Valley have
an interest of over three millions of dol
lars in the efforts of the contractors OF the
Valley Road to secure Government
Bonds. This effort is now beiug made,
with every prospect of success, and is OF
far more interest to US, and of far more
consequence in determining the time
when the road will be built, than all The
ftful efforts at cutting and grading that
could be made at the opening of winter.
The contractors appreciate the Nation
al importance of the work they have IN.
dertaken, and are bound if possible to Sc
cure lis recognition by the Government.
In their efforts in this direction they de.
serve, and should have the hearty co ope
ration Of every citizen of the Valley.
Friends, don't be too impatient for the
"good time coming" We know whereof
we speak when We say that thus far the
work accomplished by the contractors
more than justifes the most sauguine ex.
Pectatious Of the fast friends and promo
tiers of the enterprise.