The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-08-02
Eransrilla,s nnnortnnItE.

New Harmony or Grayvllle-the roau I
into Southern Illinois is a necessity
that our people cannot fail to recog-
nize.
As regards internal improvements
such as sewers, street paving, &C., our
city is in a condition to get along COM
fortably for several years without any
very large expenditure of money in
that direction. Every dollar should
be economical in ordinary city ex-
penditures, and applied to multiplying
and improving our railroad connec-
tions with the country. The rail
roads once completed will contribute
in time towards improving our city in
every particular. AS financial prop
osition, it is cheaper to first build
railroads and then public improve
ments, than to reverse the order of
expenditures. Public improvements
can, in no way, contribute towards
building railroads, but railroads can
and will accomplish wonders in the
establishment Of needed city improve
ments. No proposition, it seems to
us, can be palmer.
On Thursday next our people are
called upon to contribute two hun
dred and forty thousand dollars to
aid in building a road into Southern
Illinois. All recognize the fact that
a large portion of our commerce IS
with that section of country. Our
merchants frankly confess that their
best customers are In Southern Hi
nois. It is proposed to bind that
rich trade-which is rapidly increas-
ing as the country improyes-to our
city with bands of iron. Once so
secured, it can never be taken away
from US. Why, then, should we hest
tate. 1t would be worth all the cost
of the railroad in contemplation, if
the value of the trade did not in
crease, but no intelligent business
man doubts that, by the construction
of railroad through that section OF
country, the trade would be multi
piled four-fold. Commerce as only
limited by facilities fer exchange.
A few years ago the merchants of
Evansville had to tax themselves to
sustain small stern-wheel boat be-
tween Evansville and Cairo. Now
that trade sustains three first class
boats, all OF which are making money,
Does anybody believe that a railroad
into Southern Illinois would not in
crease our trade with that section in
even much greater proportions?
What folly then, to hesitate to levy so
small tax as that Of one per cent.
a year for two years, that such valu-
able results may follow.
But, say some, is not. the whole
project a humbug-can the road be
built? We reply that there is mo-
much humbug in the men who have
it in charge. Such men as WILLIAM
| HEILMAN, JOHN A. REITz, PETER
SEMoNIN, JOHN s. HOPKINS, DR.. NJ
J. BRAY, DR.. HIRAM CLOUD, ROBERT
A. HILL, DAVID J. MACKEY, and
JAMES T. WELBoRN,-whc compose
the Board Of Directors, and all Of aohost
business and property Interests are con
centrated Ia oar city-are not known
as financial adventures or hap-haz.
ard spectators. They are our most
substantial and intelligent bust
ness men. They say the road
can be built, and they have
the means to make good theil
assertions, if the people of the city
and county give them a cheerful sup
port and vote the desired aid. More
money will be required than the
amount solicited from this county
1t will devolve upon the Directors tt
raise the large sums which will b
needed in addition, and they inform
US that they will prove themselves
equal to the emergency.
! But, still further urge the doubt
ing Thomases. is there not danger
= that our money will be recklessl!
squandered-as in the Straight Linz
5 and after it is all gone we will hav,
e no roads. We say Mol The law un.
t der which the proposed vote is taker
e provides, in Section Is, as follows:
i mo donations of money shall b,
> made to any Railroad Company b,
such Board of County Commissioner
{ until the railroad to be constructed
: shall have been permanently located
i and aCOrE thereon done and pad TO
by the Company equal to the amour
of the donation there made; nor shall
to exceed fifty per cent. of the none,
Z voted to be appropriated to such Rail
road Company be donated and pait
over to the Company aiatiI the iron 4
laid asDon the road and q train of car
! shall hare passed 0UeT the entire tengtI
4 thereof az such county or township, a
the case may be.
: This section secures the count
:, against swindles. Not dollar of tn
e money voted can be touched unit
: work has been done on the road ant
). paid for equal TO the sum asked for
Then half of the appropriation ma,
be used, and no mere. The remain
e ing half can only be drawn after tn
+ road is completed and the cars ar
e running. We do not see how it
It possible for the people to be badl
cheated under such stringent regula
4 tions.
a We do not know the reason VIII
< the Cairo & Vincennes Road has bee
r given up. The effect of the abandon
Is L