New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-04-02
THE NORTHWEST.

ST. LOUIS, March 15.-One of those giant under
takings of modern enterprise and capital is going
rapidly forward TO successful accomplishment which
cannot fail TO have an important bearing upon the
well-being of this Empire City. l mean the
struction of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Min
nesota Railroad. If another Missouri or Mississippi
River were to burst in upon from region hitherto
beyond commercial reach, 1t could scarcely have
important relation TO our success as commercial
center than this oncoming railway. The fact is, expert
has proved that our railways Wth our rivers are
even OF importance than riyers-i. could
better spare the River Mississippi above this point TO
st. Paul than a railroad from the point
IT Is because l know the missionary work
that these railroads doing that propose TO
preach so often gospel according to this grand
doctrine of internal improvement to your readers Let
1t therefore he understood in the beginning by your
readers that grain be carried in ghtdraught vessels
St. Louis to Boston any other port south OF IT, or
20 any European wharf at figure considerably lower
than via Chicago. and you will at once perceive the i'm
portance OF this ST. Paul connection, via Burlington
and Cedar Rapids, TO St. Louis need not tell your in
tegent readers that this road through the richest
wheat and producng region in all the West
Why, look only at the counties through which this
road runs We shall find that two years ago, 1916 O0
bushels OF wheat raised and last year was more
than doubled, raising 69l5653 bushels of the same grain
Look again. two years ago l22s66S6 bushels of other
cereals raised and last year this item was the
enormous yield Of 3OO6455 bushels. just is 1t OF
all escuent roots, fruits, butter pork, cattle, wool
etc.-almost all the productions of the American
farm. The increase is absolutely enormous, and mind
YOU do speak of any other than the Identical
counties through which this road runs When tell you
road drains III the greater part OF ITS course
country stretching for hundreds OF miles 10 the north
the west, and even eastward, and when add that no
fewer than thirteen eOnuents rs may can theln Oeng
nothing than the roads crossed by this road and
thereby making two streams TO enter at such Junction
with this great road JON with 1t IN draining the greater
parts Of the grain dnd rOducegrOWlng states OF Iowa.
region of the North so recently become famous you will
fail wonder with me that tins road had not been
opening up of this Cedar Valley and regions trlbu
tary and beyond 20 commerce let ms look at the earnings
of Chicago and Railroad for 1--WE years
lust past Five years ago S92l per mile four years ago.
tO per mile three years ago. $685. per nhc TWO years
BgO, SlOqjG per me; one year ago S2.lb3 per mile
Now, when remember that this Chicago aud North
Western Railroad mus through county Tar IN
tlveuess, (as any one who knows anything oil
these great Northwestern States can verify,
predict great If not greater gains for this SPLEEN
did enterprise. But allow you please only minimum
figure Tor earnings, and when remember that this
great Cedar Valley road cost from $4,000 10 $4,000 per
iuie, We zee how soon such road ~I pay ~ DOhdrd
debt To state it in "a nutshell: If you put $4,000 INTO
TIM road on bond and mortgage you get nearly 10 per
cent your money ana the road completed ana earns
Tor the mile of the road you have nortgaged to say
$4,000 anuuay,nOre than quarter the cost OF your
mile Of road and 0nehalf Of your whole investment
)0 you think 1t any rskfo take stock ID shch road
do not wonder that 50 much OF It's capital stock Is taken
by the farmers along the route OF the road But me
stock be a risk, what shall say Of the
bonds, since there not road IN all the Wcot that does
DOT pay lts interest," aud this road can even give the
amount OF your bond in lees than two This road
D. to be $50 miles length IL Is To belt the greater part
oftwO states IL Is 10 connect with another road meet
ing II at MaDkatO from st. Paul Then there will be
continuous straight line OF rail from st. Paul to St. Louis
$50 miles As said before into this great artery $50
miles long Will be poured not only the products aud
tratc OF the counties through which runs but
the IS continents Of the Buring ton Cedar Rapids
minnesota RAilroad-but with It's connection from this
city to 81 Paul, some 80 or more tributaries all
think, therefore, was not eXravagant starting
out, when said that the opening OF this road
matter Of greater moment than II should wake up
come morning In st. Louis and find noble
a. Mississippi the Missouri flowing into one or
ether OF these rivers before our city.
But there another, and even important item
great import II Jay Cooke builds the Northern Pacific
Railroad, and other roads opened up into
Winnipeg. the Red River. the Saskatchewan Ter
ItOry, and other great wheat lands, such
grains Will never go by Duluth. Lake
EuperiOr and the endless system Of lakes but into this
great artery Of the Cedar Valley must be poured the
greater part Of all traffic from these wheat fields OF
LIs hDxss and West And the lumber wish had time