The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-04
NEw York, March 30, 1871.

NEw YORK, Msrch 80, ls7l.>'
This great commercial city Of the Union
Is waking up to the importance of finding
the shortest and cheapest way to the West
and the Pacific, knowing very we'll that on
the solution Of this problem depends very
much Of iss future-in fact on its solution
depends the maintAinGnce of its present
commercial supremacy. 10 the infancy Of
railroads in this country they were bn'l'
with little or no reference TO connecting
distant points--mueh less with reference TO
connecting oceans. Take, for example, OR
New York CeAtral: Ii was built in patches,
under various names and charters, and
merely to connect certain towns. In courae
of time there came to be railroad from this
city TO Buffalo by way Of Albany, which
is nov practically one road and under one
mAnAgement-but il LAHORE under d,sadvan
tasss, such as sharp curves, heavy grades,
Snd 100 great distance, for rapid and cheap
transit. The same may DO sAid Of oil the
roads from this CITY 70 Omaha. Every mile
saved in distance 10 not only saving OF
time but Of eKpenss,-two items Of very
great importance 70 business men, to pro
oucers, aud 20 consumers. This simple
statement is enough TO show Why the great
interests of agriculture, manufacturers, and
commerce require the shortest, quickest and
cheapest uAnSpOrtSuop; and why men hav-
ing surplus capital will solve the problem,
knowing very well that the shortest and the
most direct line across the Continent will
pay best. Such line lie now in course OF
constru ction-And 10 ON braces q great plan
of hArbor improvement at this point, with
all the modern appliances, in the way of
elevators, warehouses, ETC., for the cheap
and quick handling of freight.
ItiS called the Continental Railway, and
is a strAightway line from this oity to Coun-
Gil Bluffs, connecting Cleveland, Toledo,
Chicago. Milwaukee, st. Paul, and the prin
cipal cities west of PennsylvaniS along its
line, aud north thereof, making saving TO
all the region described of more than .
hundred miles and to Pitssburg Cincinnati,
LouiSVills, Cairo, St. Louis, and the re-
gion southwest of them, of from fifty to one
hundred and Fifty miles over the presen.
routes from New York to the regions named
1t will be q low grade road, with easy
curves, and is intended TO be . strictly frsL
elsss railway, in every particular.
Negotiations for funds necessary to carry
forward the enterprise are we'll sd vanced
and it is expected that large portion Of
the line will be completed this year.
The managers occupy g large house IN
35th street, where the work OF preparing
maps, profles, pamphlets, ETC., is progress
ing fGely. By invitation, Waited the
house and dined there, the other evening,
with party Of gentlemen, and. after din
ner, examined the work OF the drAughtsmeh
and listened to the criticisms Of the invited
guests. All seemed quite surprised at sht
dlrectnesa Of the line and other advantages
developed over the existing through lines OF
railway.
Several European gentlemen, representa-
tives of the large financial centres on the
other side of the ocean, were present, and
all expressed their entire satisfaction with
the scheme, and their willingness to under
take the negotiations Of ITS securities abroad
This road will pass through the States OF
New Jersey, Pennsy Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois and Iowa, and, when completed and
properly managed, will tend TO greatly
cheaper transportation from the great
grain growing and stock raising
regions of the west, particularly the
States Of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
aud Iowa. Ordinarily, railroads interest
only those living along and in the immedl
ate vicinity of their hnss, but this road
will have more than local importance and
becomes of gres, interest TO the whole Slater
through which it passes as we'll as the States
north and south of those, through which il
passes, as it win be the shortest, quickest
and cheapest outlet TO the great commercial
metropolis Of the Union for more than To-
900 miles of railway, already built, spread
ing its benefits over . greater area than any
other road which can be built AZ the present
time.
The plan contem plates crossing the Mis-
aissippi either at Rock Island or MuscAtine
either of which places is in about the lAti-
tude of New York and Council Bluffs
MuscAtine, in consequence of the great bspo
westward of the Mississippi river, being only
about two miles south of Rock Island. J.
is important, therefore, that the people o
Rock leland should be alive to their inter
ests and secure such location of the lin.
AS will make their town the crossing. The
oAN PcAsCNotohSO VI shO AICH WV
have the project in hand, backed by thu
great commercial importance of New YorA
and liberal supply of British Gold" vii
pretty surely carry the scheme TO q success
full termination.
Charters, with powers for consolidation
have been secured across all the State
through which it will pass, and work Oh
portions of tbs line is progressing. an'
trains already running on some parts of it
Nothing beyond the mere statement o.
facts contained in this letter 10 required &
satisfy anyone of the feasibility and impor
sAnce of the project-and expect, within
two or three years, to see the line completed
Most Of il will be double track road, Rnc
il will be made capable of trsnsactinI
promptly the enormous business Whioi
must come to it, not only locally, but f.ou
the Pacific States, and from the immense
number of roads it will cross, i. will BE-
Just what itA name indicates -the CONTI
MENTAL RAILWAY.
After an exceedingly pleasant evening
passed at the house ofthe friends ofthis Rren
enterprise, | left, much pleased with what
saw and learned of the gigantic project fo
Cheap and Quick transportation between
the Wsst and New York.
will write you on other topics soon.
D.