The Leavenworth weekly times., 1878-02-21

concltions, VIZ: The building ani operat-
ing OF railroad from Leayenwor,h to thu
south line OF the slate. Now have those
conditions Of the charter ever been COMPLIED
with? Certainly s.ot. viii the .'repair-
ing OF the bridge al Lawrence, and The oper-
ton Of the road a. previously" be a COM
pliance with the ch"rler? lost aSsureiIv
not. Then why bring suit ior less than We
are entitled TO? Is the repairing Of bridge
ai Lawrence nd the running OF passenger
coach - Cur city on the tail end OF a Kan
sas Pacific train what Is meant by the words
IN the charter, viz: To build and operate
araliioad from Lesyenworth 10 the south line
oil the state Was ever such railroad con-
nectIons as that known TO built up 4 city :?
Is 1t possible that such meagre transports
tion facilities Is satisfactory and all that i
needed by our merchants and manufactu-
rers? Ii would seem so, else they would
demand full compliance OF the l., L. 4 q.
company with the terms and conditions OF
their charter. Suppose We had compelled
this company 10 comply with its charter a
dozen years ago, by building and oper ating
ITS road from this city, Is it not reasona
bic TO presume that it might have been
the means Of intinsnciug other roads
10 seek business At Leavenworth, and might
II not have resulted in giving Us the Kansas
tity bridge and the interests concentrated at
that place? Many instances can be cited
where cities and even nations have risen
and fallen upon smaller pivot than that.
But history does not furnish Il single in
stance where the repairing OF a bridge some
forty miles distant exercised very great
intia nee in the building up vi a city. And
predict the people OF Leavenworth will
not witness any astonishing improvement
in this city when an additional prop is
added to that rotten structure.
Why should We sue for shadow in the
dim distance, instead of the solid, subztan-
tial Improvement promised in the charter
1t is the compromising spirit evinceG in the
editorial referred to, Mr.. Editor, that do not
Ike. Railroad corporations never show a
very liberal or compromising spirit to over
burdened Taxpayers, and | cannot conceive
why such generosity and nobleness of soul
should be showered upon a corporation that
refuses TO comply with lis charter and is
using It's immense power in violation OF
every principle OF honor and fair dealing to
build up rival city in another state Let
Us have all We are entitled to or nothing.
After dozen years and many Indifferent
officials, We finally have those who surpass
all former ones in public spirit. They are
determined TO make this soul
less corporation compromise il they
can, and II they succeed in
forcing ii 10 comply with these reasonable
demands, We will then have obtained the
shadow. Perhaps in another dozen years,
and many changes in the Governorship We
may find reckless dare ID of man
who will insist that the L.. l.. Il G.. Rail
road Company shall comply with all the
terms and conditions Of their charter. And
then after it is too late we will have OBJ
tanned the substance Won't that be Jolly
Tor our children, however?
Mr.. Editor, Leavenworth has it in her
power 10 bring herself into prominence and
respect once more if she will. 1t only re-
luires united and determined effort upon
the part of her citizens, and with your per
mission TO lengthen this communication
little further, / will state briefly what l
think can and ought 10 be speedily accom-
plished.
First. Let US insist on the building
and operating Of the L., l.. 4 g.
railroad from this city, independent of all
,ther railroad lines. Next, let us request
hose of our citizens who control the Leav-
AtchisOn and Northwestern rail-
road TO discontinue the lease of said road to
he Missouri Pacific, and instead TO lease it
70 the Central Branch or the Atchison and
railroad company, so as TO Sc
,ure the terminus of one of those roads at this
,iiy. That accomplished We could boast OF
,eing railroad center to this respectable |
,xtent, viz; this city would be the terminus
If the following roads not only in name. |
)ut substantially so in fact.
The Chicago X Rock Island
The Missouri Pacific.
The Kansas Pacific.
The Central Branch.
The Leayenworth, Lawrence & Calves
on.
The Kansas Central.
This accomplished, let liz then GO to work /
md concentrate the passenger and freight |
business of all these roads in one locally,
o that when a stranger arrives in the city,
lie would land in the midst OF the business |
md commotion that would necessarily fol-
ow a concentration of the business Of the
ity and the various railroads. Everything
n connection with the passenger and
reight depots should be so arranged as to
nake the best possible display of our busi-
less and industries, and many people would
Il attracted to the city by the substantial
Idications of business and prosperity.