The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1873-05-22
KANSAS RAILROADS,


the Folly OF Kansas-Commenss Of
the State Press.
Under the heading O; "Kansas Railroads
and Interests" the Atchison Champion of
May 18th, publishes the following article:
We copy, elsewhere, an editorial from the
Leavenworth TINES in which it refers to the
efforts now being made by kansas City to in.
huence the A., I. & S. F. Railroad Company
to build line OF their road to that town.
The TINES says this is but ''another move
ment to divert business from Kansas to Mis-
souri," thus enrichins a town in another
State with trade that l.giiiuaIely belongs to
Kansas, and it demands Legislation to make
railroads built by the county oI kanscs re-
spect their obligations"
We do not believe that the A., T. l. s. F.
road has any intention OF building a line to
Kansas City, but We fully endorse the spirit
of the TINES article in it, protest against al
lowing the railroad system of this great State
to be made the mere instrument for building
up Missouri towns. Kansas was given, by
the general government, large amount of
lands for internal improvements" These
we're given by the State, to railroad cOmps-
nies, to aid in building railroads. Cities,
counties and townships all over the State
have voted large subsidies to aid in building
railroads. The spirit, if not the letter, OF
all these grants and subsidies required the
roads to be built for the benefit of the State
and people giving them, and We believe that
he courts would 20 hold.
fit il found, as The TINES thinks, that
the railroad corporations of the State are
dealing thus dishonesty with the people
who have dealt 20 generously and honestly
with them, it will be but another grievance
to swell the feeling against them, and they
will find out, when too late. perhaps, that
they have aroused an Indignation and
evoked power that il master of the situa-
ton.
The railroads must deal fairly with Kan
sas. In no State in the Union have the peo-
ole treated them with more liberality than
have those of Kansas. This STATE has right
to ak that railroads built with the aid OF
the State or its people shall be so managed
and 40 run "a to build up and io-ter the in
terests of Kansas, its towns, cities and peo-
ole. And it will dc 80. More, il will en-
force this demand. The people Of Kansas
will not consent that roads built BY their
bounty shall become mere :eeders OF Mis-
.ouri towns. They will not consent that our
State shall thus be drained of millions o:
money to enrich those who contribute moth.
ing 10 the prosperity or development Of
Kansas, and who do not pay dollar of taxes
necessary for the payment OF interest and
principal Of bonds voted to build roads, the
benefits of which are thus diverted from
Kapsss to Missouri. And it is well enough
for the railroad companies all over the State
to understand this clearly and distinctly.
Kansas demands fair treatment for her peo-
ole and her towns At their hands. She has
. right to ask this. These demands are not
unreasonable or unjust. They are legitimate.
reasonable or fair. And they will he enforc-
ed il the railroad companies do not remem-
Der the obligations they are under TO the
people Of the Stale, and 20 act - to fulfill the
irust they voluntarily assumed.
The Atchisoa Globe, referring to The de-
ie,s Of Kassas City, talu in this ayie: