The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-01-01

We some time since called attention
to the great advantages which the con-
struction of the Kansas City & Santa
Fee railroad would confer, not only up
OH this place, but upon the neighboring
State of Kansas. Any person who will
look upon the map, will see that the
route selected runs through and opens
up to trade and settlement one of the
very richest sections of Kansas, taps
several thriving towns, crosses a num-
Der of projected lines of railway, and
in the most direct route by the way of
the Southwest to the Pacific. 1t is now
more apparent than ever that the North
ern or Nebraska road across the CONT
nent, is liable to be impeded and block
ed several months in the year, and that
a more southern route, possessing the
advantage of a milder climate, is need
ed, and will be constructed. The most
direct route, as we have before stated,
is the projected Kansas City & Santa Fe
railroad, saving, as it is said by some
who have examined the matter, a hun
dred miles between Kansas City and
Santa Fe, as compared with the Kansas
Pacific. We are glad to learn that the
prospects of the road are now better
than ever. All that is needed to secure
its construction at once as far as Otta-
wa, and shortly after to EmpOria, sew
enty miles from this city, is that Jack
son county, in Missouri, and johnson
and Franklin, in Kansas, take hold of
the matter and push it to the best of
their ability. We have little hesitation
in saying that. the first years trade
brought to Kansas City from the -four
ishing country through which this road
would pass to Emporia, would be larger
than the whole amount of bonds need
ed from this county. These counties,
alone, will not be required to construct
the road, but if they can grade and
bridge it, there is reason to believe that
other parties, with abundant means, will
take hold and complete it.
Kansas City is now reaping the ben
eft of her railroads. We have three
first class railroad connections with the
East, besides the river, which will en-
able us to buy goods cheaply, and we
need western and southern connections
to enable us to sell them and once con-
structed, we shall control the trade of a
vast section of country, rapidly settling
up, anxious to be in connection with us,
and willing to aid US in establishing that
connection. Shall we now fold our
hands and rest contented where we are,
-or help forward the good work. Shall
we allow rival towns by desperate ex-
ertions to take from us what we are en-
titled to, or if we are convinced that
they cannot do that, shall we wait Sc
ries of years, for that which may be
Immediately realized? The projected
Louisiana road is good one. 1t can
not fail to benefit us, and the country
| through which it passes, but the Kan
sas City & Santa Fe road is of far more
importance to US than any Eastern road
hereafter to be constructed can possibly
be. The natural tendency of the coun-
try east is to trade with ST. Louis !;
that which is west of US is rightfulIy
our own, if we would take measures to
secure it. Let our citizens bestir them
selves in the matter, and see whether
their wisest policy is not at once to give
aid to a road which will ultimately be
built, but whose immediate construc-
ton may be worth to us many times the
outlay which is required.-KanSas City
Journal of Commerce.