The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-10-20
Oar TFesfern Railroad.

bred and fifteen, voted to subscribe
FIVE hundred thousand dollars stock
in what is known as tine Louisville,
New Albany and st. Louis Railroad.
The number Of votes polled was quite |
small, falling short Of thirteen hun
dred; but it is altogether probable |
that had full vote been given, the
majority for the proposition would
have been increased rather than d.
minished
The entire population of Louisville
have become strangely aroused on the
subject Of railroads, within the last
five years. The people have voted for
every proposition submitted to them,
and, apparently. have enthusiastically
subscribed to propositions regarded
by many as a reckless and foolish ex-
penditure Of money. The all absorb
ing belief of the entire population
seems to be, we must have railroads
if we hope to become a great city;
and, with their eyes fixed upon Chi
csgo, they strive to emulate that city
in assessing taxes for railroad pur-
poses.
It is not to be denied that already
Louisville is feeling the effects Of these
powerful stimulants. Her progress
especially during the past two years
has been most significant. Her popu-
lation has been largely increased by
immigrants who have been attracted
By her display Of vigor and enterprise.
Capital, from older and less energetic
cities, has sought the channels cut out
for it by the activity of her people as
naturally as water runs down hill.
Manufacturing establishments have,
in consequence, multiplied rapidly,
commerce extended its boundaries,
buildings Of every character sprung
up as by magic, and the whole city is
undergoing transformation little
less wonderful than some Of those
recorded in connection with Aladdin's
magical lamp.
Cincinnati has begun to realize the
fact that Louisville, if not now, gives
every promise of soon becoming
most formidable rival Heretofore,
the former has been disposed to
to regard the commercial pre-
tensions Of the latter city with some
thing aka to contempt. But recent
developments have convinced the
Business men of the Queen City that
if they do not wish their favorite sup
planted as the greatest metropolis en-
the Ohio, they must do something to
enlarge the area OF her commerce, and
attract the industries of the nation.
Louisville is really responsible for the
recent action of the people of Cincin-
natl in voting ten millions of dollars
towards building a Southern Rail
road.
In view of the extraordinary cxer-
tions now being made by the rival
cities of Cincinnati and Louisville to
absorb or control all the trade on the
Ohio, Cumberland and TIE nnessee
River Vallies, what remains to be
done by Evansville? Will she stand
idly By as a looker-on, ready to ap-
plaUd the successful contestant, al
though that contestant is grasping the
avenues of trade upon which her pros
perity is dependent, or shall VIC throw
aside timidity, indifference and indo.
lence and contend manfully as one of
the competitors for this rich trade?
It cannot be that an intelligent busi-
ness man will take long in deciding
the proper course. under the eircum-
stances, for our city to pursue.
A glance at the location of Evans
vile shows that she has many natural
advantages over both Louisville and
Cincinnati. Situated on the Lower
Ohio, near the mouth of Green River,
and within easy reach Of the Wabash,
Cumberland, aud Tennessee Rivers,
so far as water navigation is con
cerned, she stands pre-eminent
over both Louisville and Gin
cinnati. This fact is fully developed
in the wonderful growth of the
packet trade between this city and all
points on the Lower Ohio--a trade
that now demands aud will support
as fine line Of steamboats, as thai
running between Louisville and Gin
cinnati. So great have been our ad
vantages in this particular that oul
people have been blind to the impor
lance Of railroads and railroad con
nections. Cincinnati and Louisville
on the contrary. realizing the INSULT
cheney of their water commu
nications, have devoted their asten
ton and capital to multiply
ing their railroad facilities
in that way seeking to control trade
they could not hope to secure By aic
of river navigation alone. Louisville
has, in consequence, tapped with bcl
railroads much Of the most valuable
trade of the Cumberland and Ten.
nessee Rivers, and drawn it from ms
which she never could have obtained
without their instrumentality Sbe
noE seeks to divert from us all tn,
~ trade of the Wabash and Soutberr
Gnois by the construction of tn,
Tarmel and st. Louis Road de
rat thi road shall accomplish
at the Ohio and Mississipp
sone for Cincinnati