North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1868-10-07
j. x. GRAVES, LETTER.

j. X. GRAVES LETTER.
Hon. W. B. Allison made speech at
Dubuque in defence of himself in the
matter of Railway. Col. L. A. Thomas,
the independent republican candidate, was
present, and at the conclusion of AS
remarks Thomas was called for. A grand
furry took place which came near ending
in row. The Tanners attempted to
control the meeting and the president
(Mr. Roberts) informed them that no
military organization" should drive him
from the exercise of his duties as the
chosen officer of meeting of civilians.
The Allisonites were determined that
Thomas should not be heard in speech
nor should he ask any questions. Roberts
set the Band agoing to stop all the other
noise and confusion and then he declared
the meeting adjourned. This happened
on the evening of the 24th, Col. Thomas
reported through the Herald in true,
well-tempercd note to the public, con-
demning the impolteness of the Allison
men and reiterating the uniform charges
of fraud. bribery &C., &C., which that
gentleman is endeavoring to explain.
Hon. j. X. Graves is also out in letter
on the same subject. We give Graves
letter below and request its careful perusal
by every voter.
DuBuouE, Sept. %, 1868.
Hon. WM. b. ALLISON, DEAR al
attended the Allison meeting last evening
and listened somewhat attentively to your
explanations.
You have failed to convince me that
your action in connection with the Sioux
City and Pacific Railroad was prompted
by patriotic motives, and feel impelled
by sense of duty to criticise your
position.
You have never visited the section of
country through which, by the original
act OF congress, it was contemplated the
Sioux City branch of the Pacific Road
should run, and are certainly at fault when
you style that route impracticable.
To ensure the construction of the road,
on the original route, congress appropriate
ed $4,000 in bonds and l2,SOO acres of
land per mile which would have counter
balanced the few obstacles to be encount-
cred in grading the road, as, while the
country is uneven it is not mountainous.
This route received the sanction and
support of congress with bat little oppo-
sition. Minnesota and Wisconsin mem
bers advocated it as giving them direct
connection with the Pacific coast.
lGwa favored it, and especially the
people of this section who would then
have been placed in direct connection
with the" western world.'
You however, in connection with a
favored few, procured Il change of route
and the road was built on the Iowa side of
the Missouri, where the ground is perfectly
level.
This was a fraud upon Minnesota,
Wisconsin and Northern Iowa, and was so
branded by Washburne in congress.
While | advocate the construction Of
railroads in Iowa, as tending to promote
the common welfare, would not have
mile of road built at the expense of the
commercial interests of the people.
Your road, as built, diverts the upper
Missouri trade from the ID. & S. c. X. r.
line to the Northwestern road, leaving
Dubuque out in the cold.
Had the original route been adopted the
country north and west of Sioux City
would have found an outlet via Dubuque
no diversion in favor of the Northwestern
could have occurred. Taking the cars at
Sioux City on your road one may travel
four hours towards the Pacific railroad
and then find himself twenty miles further
OFT from said Pacific road than ut the
starting point!
MIR. Blair has informed me that the
$4,000 per mile, granted by congress.
was more than sufficient to build the road
leaving. therefore, the entire road and
franchise, together with 1880 acres of
land per mile, as clear profit to the
promoters of the enterprise" yourself
and ethers. AS the length Of the road is,
| believe, sixty eight miles, the government
has paid out over million dollars in its
six per cent. gold-bearing bonds, and
given upwards Of ci sht hundred thousand
acres of land to this project. AS the
governmant bonds have built the road, the
balance sheet stands thus:
Value of road, as completed 6s miles, at
$4,000 CsSoOo
I,y5S, 400
Divide this amongst nine directors, officers
and favored individuals and the apportion-
ment to each reaches handsome figure.
Your subsequent subscription of one
hundred thousand dollars to the capital
stock of the bridge company, together
with other investments on similar scale
of magnitude, incline me to believe that
you have realized" on the operation.
You told the audience last evening that
the D & S. c. II. r. stockholders would
have nothing to do with the new route.
OF course they would not, as il was a
suicidal policy, calculated to take trade
away from the d. &. S. c, route and send
it over the Northwestern.
Had the road been built as originally
proposed the benefits arising therefrom
would have been incalculable to Northern
Iowa, whereas, now we must suffer forever.
As a private speculation your Sioux
City and Pacific road has been successful
as measure cfpublic good it has proven
highly disastrous.
Representing, as you did, the Third
district of Iowa in congress, you proved
recreant to the high position assigned you
when you secured the change Of location
of said route. You betrayed our conf
dence and sold the commercial interests
which geographically belong to Northern
Iowa, to the Northwestern Road. Why
you acted thus, except for personal gain,
is more than l can tell.