The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1878-06-04
The Western Railroad Charter and Land
Grant

lie DSiitoiNtiio 4AdNaiGG is DSS iHiiiilS
to think it was time to be looking after
the charter and land grant transferred to
Gen. Meyer. The Advance ought to
know that Railroads are not built in
day, and that the work Gen. Meyer has
undertaken, was work that few men
could carry through to success in so short
a time. This iswhat the Advance says:
We have this week received a letter
from Gen. Meyer, stating that the sur
vey on the Northwest Arkansas road has
begun, ana closing with the assurance
that trains will run into Bentonville by
the ninth OF December" We give Gen,
Meyer the credit Of sincerity Of purpose,
and we hope he may have the ability to
carry out his otten-repeated declarations.
Bnt this is a matter of too great import
ance to our people, and to all western
Arkansas, to be left any longer under the
slightest shadow of doubt. A fixed, un
altarable certainty is demanded, and no.
thing less will be satisfactory.
The great railroad convention in Fay
ettcville, which authorized the transfer
of the charter and land grant of 10000
acres to Gen. Meyer, did so with the cx-
press promise that its whole action in
the matter could be revoked, unless,
within six months from the date of the
transfer, committee appointed by that
convention should be fully satisfied OF
Gen. Meyers ability and intention to
build the road in good faith. That com
mittee consists of Col. NJ. II. Locke, of
Alma, and Hons. A. NJ. Wilson, c. W.
| Walker, and J. II. Van Hoosc, of Fay
ettevillc. The six months expires next
Tuesday, May %. Now, are these gen,
tlemcmen fully satisfied that the road
will be built i? If not, it is their duty to
take steps to satisfy themselves at once
The interests involved are too vast to be
hazarded on any uncertainty. The title
to 10000 acres of land, and the welfare
of our whole glorious region for all time
to come depend on their action. Let
them, or part of them, go Immediately
to Pierce City, and get General Meyer tc
pu. before them the tangible, unmistaka
BILE evidences of his ability to build the
road-evidence that would be satistac
tory to a bank, in making so large an in
vcstment of confidence, as Gen. Meyer
asks our people to make. We believe in
| him, and think he will be able to show
the necessary means or authority to
draw it from the eastern banks or CAPT
| talists he represents /; and we are convin-
ced he will thank us for suggesting the
only means by which our people can be
satisfied, so as to be willing to continue
the charter and franchises in his hands
An hours investigation will settle all
doubts, and end all misgivings.
Gentlemen of the committee, the PEG
pie who entrusted this all important mat
ter to your hands will hold you to rig
id account of your management of it,
The Advance of week later, says
Our townsman, S. D. McReynolds, who
returned from Pierce City. last Tuesday
brings gloomy report of railroad pros
poets. He says he took some pains, as 6
business man, to investigate the matter
and finds in brief that General Meyer
has no very definite capita unless pos
sible contribution from the Atlantic 6
Pacific, and Carthage railroad compa
mics, and the unconditional subscription,
of Benton and Washington counties can
be SO considered. He is now talking OF
beginning a survey at Verona, and anoth
er at Springfield and, altogether, Mr.
MeReynolds thinks it high time that the
committee, to whose hands the people OF
, Northwest Arkansas entrusted their all
important interests in regard to this en-
terprise, should take prompt steps to sat
isty themselves as to its precise status.