Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-08-06
A sTEP TO THE PACIFIC.

special comment. Having built their road
from Kansas City to Sheridan, and found 1t
profitable aud promising investment the
Managers now propose to continue it TO
Denver, and thus open up the trade to the
Rocky Mountains. That much, it IS hoped,
viii be completed by June next and lis
agents, Messrs. Dabney, Morgan & Co.,
and NJ. K. Jessup & Co, bankers aud
merchants Of high reputation, now tender,
through our columns. loan Of $500 000
for this purpose.
These gentlemen state with clearness
the reasons which have induced them to
give this loan their Endorsement The Kan
sas Pacific Railway now runs through the
centre of Kansas, and is in successful and
profitable operation for over four hundred
miles. We remember the country through
which it passes as wide, open plain, ap-
parontIy as tJundless and rolling as the sea,
known only to few Tribes Of wild, rowing
Indians, and occasionally to a Tenturesome
squad Of stage guards and herdsmen, who
ministered primitive hospitality every
fifteen or twenty miles. Topeka, Salina
and Manhattan were little more than the
geographical designations Of towns that
hoped to be- Hays, Ellsworth, Sheridan,
and the twenty stopping places now upon
its time table, did not exist, even in the
imagination of the pioneers. Danver was a
mere cluster Of mining cabins and Indian
huts The Cheyennes and Arrapahoes held
solemn council or high revelry in lis ways
There was no law, but great deal Of rude,
summary justice, which grieved snber be-
lieYers in ha6eds corpus and trial by jury
Now, Denver is as neat, wen built, and
comfortable as Hartford, with schools and
churches rows Of brick stores, hotels, aud
tasteful dwellings which recall the luxury
and comfort Of the East. Nature has
trimmed and fringed it with the noble Rocky
Mountains, whose hills glisten in snow,
while their sides are clothed with deep and
rich midsummer greenery.
1t is now proposed to unite this city with
the East by an extension OF the Kansas Pa
cifc Railway. To do this, 1t viii be neces-
sary to build 22O miles Of road. The Mana
gers are wise not to deferit, in the vain hope
of being able to induce Congress to vote
them large subsidies The Government has
built one road to the Pacifs at d great ex-
pense Private citizens are quite ready and
willing to build another, especially when
those who ask their aid can show as good a
balance sheet as the Kansas Managers. ST.
Louis is on the natural route from New York
to the Rocky Mountains and San Ftsnciseo.
1t is the metropolis Of the mighty Valley
Of the Mississippi and the extension ofthis
road is a new ard important step in the
great highway between st. Louis and San
Francisco. The Union Pacific Omaha Road
has as much business as it eau manage; and
we have grave doubts whether it will be
able 70 keep open tbroush vouto amid the
midwintor snow and ice of the Sierra
Neyadas. A through road must finally tray
erse the warm countries of New Mexico and
Arizona, along the thirty-fith parallel or be-
low it. General Palmer has surveyed route
where Snow rarely eyerymile Of which
opens rich mining deposits Il embraces
the Oldest towns on the Continent. The
country demands such road and this ex-
tension is a step toward completing it.
1t is interesting to note the progress Of a
railway which draws its business from
country ten years ago conceded to the bufFa-
10 and the aborigines. In April the Kansas
road earned, in gross income, s2I7. 9I4 40, Of
which S93, ,29l GI were balanced by expenses,
leaving net profit of $l24, 622 SS- In May
the earnings were $222, l63 46; the expenses
Sl07,9 9S7 ~, leaving profit of STA, I75 60.
Two months aggregate, $23S, 798 81. There
are few roads in our older and riper States
that would not be content With as good re.
suit Bat the truth is these new countries
have much growth in them. We have but
to touch our Western prairies and hills with
the iron wand, and cities spring up; toEns
cluster along the streams and highways, and
broad plains blossom with wheat, corn, and
barley; school houses and churches take the
place Of the block house and the fort. and the
great rivers are disturbed by steam and wa
ter-wheel, So our civilization has marched
over the prairies, is advancing over the
plains and in few months we shall have
the vast treasures Of Colorado and the eoId
countries under contribution. The Presi-
dent, in his last Inaugural pointed to those
hills as the s'strong box whose treasures
would pay the National debt This railroad
Is the key to open it We, therefore, look
with pleasure upon this effort of private citi-
zens to carry another road to the Pacific
we must have at least three railways across
the Continent We must enable the North
ern and Southern and Middle States resnse
lively to reach the furthest West by the
most convenient way. We look upoD the
otate OF Kansas with an interest not far re.
moved from affection. This child of tears
and blood, and agony. now marches - ~
dignity aud grandeur Of an empire. and well
deserves the proud, fond name of '.the Mas.
sachusetts of the West. -" To this road She
owes much Of her prosperity; and. nou thai
IT'S owners propose to carry il to Denver ara
wed the Rocky Mountains to the NIississi,,,,;;
alley, we hail them as men doing great Na-
tIonal service, and earnestly hope they viii
receive from our people prompt and earnest
support. The loan they offer is certainly a
good one. It yields high interest ia gold,
has many years to run. is secured By large
grants Of land and a profitable railway, and
Is indorsed By men whose word gives il the
jeFce OF an irreiragable guarantee. IN y