The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-07-29

of the voters of the county may deter
mine the expenditure of so large a
sum Of money. This ought not to be
so. The people ought, by all means,
to express their views at the polls one
way or the other. The election ought
not to go by default. either for or
against the enterprise. Should the \
donation be voted by meager major
ity, on very small vote, the disafect-
ed will use that fact in justification of
such Instructions as they may be able
to throw in the pathway Of the project.
We believe a majority of our people
regard railroad into Southern ILL.,
nois with favor, and are willing to
aid literally in its construction.
There is, however, a marked differ
ence of opinion as TO the points in
that State to which the road should
run. and also no little disagreement
as to the direction the road should
take in our own State. We presume
it is not possible to harmonic all
differences Of this character. We
are informed by Mr. HILL, the Presi-
dent of the road. that its location has
not been agreed upon by the Direc-
tors, and will not be until it becomes
manifest that sufficient money will be
subscribed to insure its completion.
He also declares that all rumors that
the Directors are so committed to any
one route that they will locate the
road accordingly, regardless Of any
facts, or opinions, or wishes of the
people, which may hereafter be fur
nished or expressed, are also without
foundation.
We think it would have been wiser
had the Officers and Directors of the
road pursued the policy adopted in
Cincinnati with reference to its Great
Southern Road. It will be remem-
bered that Cincinnati, after she was
authorized to expend ten millions Of
dollars In such an enterprise, pub
lished throughout the South her in
tentions, and invited all who felt any
interest in havingthe road run to par
ticular points in the South. to appear
in Cincinnati and give their reasons
for the desired location, and the
amount they would subscribe towards
securing it. The result was. the
ablest men in the South were sent up
to that city with fdcls and figures
for nothing else was aeeeptable-to
urge that the road be located on
particular lines. After a full and
free hearing of everything bearing on
the case, the route was selected and
then the vote was submitted to the
people. The result, as might be an
ticipated, was an endorsement. of both
the subscription and the route select
ed by a unanimity that insures the
early and successful completion of
the enterprise. We think it would
have been better if the Directors and
officers of the Illinois road had pur-
sued similar course. But it is too
late too urge this now. and we only
mention it as an expression of opin-
ion on our part as to what would have
been the better way.
As the case stands, all the discus
sion over the location of the road
must be had after the vote on the do
nation, and, consequently, after the
whole matter has passed out of the
hands Of the people and beyond their
control. Still. we regard the Directors
and officers of the road as honorable
gentlemen, and do not believe they
will assert that the location of the
road is to be settled hereafter when
they have already, in their own minds,
determined its location.
The simple question for the people
is, will they vote to tax themselves to
aid in building road into Southern
Illinois? Is it wise in them to do SOP
On this point there is, IN our mind,
not the slightest room for doubt; nor
are we in doubt as to the particular
point in Illinois to which our road
should be built. But the latter ques-
ton we waive for the present.
Evansville has reached a point in
her progress, where continued pros
perity or stagnation and subsequent
decline depend upon the sagacity and
energy of her people. Heretofore.
she has enjoyed good trade by means
of the river and single line of rail
road. But, as she has increased IN
wealth and business capacity, her area
of trade must be correspondingly
enlarged, or reaction and stagnation
must ensue. The truth is, our area
of trade, instead of being enlarged, is
being rapidly curtailed, by reason Of
railroads which are being constructed
in different directions around US.
Added to the roads now drawing
trade from Us, others are rapidly ap-
preaching completion, which will still
further draw from US our business,
unless we so increase our facilities
for transportation, as to make it as
easy, IF not easier, for our customers
to continue to trade here than go to
other cities. That the completion of