Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1882-05-27
THE CHANGE OF GAUGE.

1t is new thought that the Missouri
Pacific intends to widen the narrow
gauge railw ay,and to put rapid through
trains on the road by way of Lexington
from Kansas City to St. Louis.
No one who has not recently investiga-
ted the subject canlfalIy comprehend the
importance Of this change. As it is now,
the branch to Sedalia and the narrow
guage are beth nuisances aud an abom-.
tfnatien to those who have to use them.
With the change made the country and
towns on both lines will be on the
greatest railroad west Of the Mississippi
river if not in the United States and
the world.
This seems like an extravagant state
ment, but an examination of the facts
will. we think, prove that 1t is not. The
Missouri Pacific railway company now
operates q line from St. Louis to
Omaha ; another from st. Joseph to the
western border OF Kansas; another
from Hannibal, Mo-. via Sedalia, Neva-
da, Parsons, Vinita, Denison and Pal.
estine. through Houston to Galveston;
smother from Palestine, Texas. to Lare-
do on the Rio Grande; another from
Alexandria, Louisiana, through the
eastern part of Arkansas to the
old Iron Mountain road neal the
Missouri line; still another from
New Orleans via of Alexandria, Shrsve-
port. Marshall, Dallas and Fl. Worth to
Ell Paso on the Mexican border. One or
both of these Mexican lines will be
finished TO the city of Mexico within q
very short time. Beside these vast
chains of railway. the Missouri Pacific
owns and operates q railroad from st.
Louis directly through Arkansas con-
Meeting with its Texas system at Texar-
kama, Jefferson, Marshall and Troupe,
and q dozen or more short lines, all i'm
portant, but not necessary to mention
here.
One has but to glance at a map to see
the comprehensiveness OF this corpora
ton. 1t operates more miles Of railway,
probably, than does any other in the
country. and it will transfer us from n
of its most Insignificant branches to n
of its most important main arteries if the
proposed change is made. This, taken
in connection with the TACT that colossal
preparations are being made to mine
coal at this place IN unprecedented
quantity. points to the great Importance
OF the Improvement.
The Missouri Pacific management is
like any aud every other corporation.
looking out Tor its own interests, jeal-
Gus of any imposition and more willing
to help those whs evince a disposition
to help themselves than those who dc
not. While it is said to be willing to
make the arrangement we speak of, it
Is taking q good deal of persuasion to
bring it to a final favorable determine
ton. There isa question OF right-ot-
way between the termini here Of the
present roads. Should eytravagant
prices be asked for this right-of-way it
might result. in disappointment and .
Joss of the road, for if would be practi.
callY . new road for us. 1t would be
fer better for the property owners on
the line to give the necessary strip of
land than to stand in the way of the
change. We do not know that suy such
thug is asked, but the proposition re-
maius good all the same, and our pur-
pose in this article is to show that it ia
no small or Insignificant thing that will
be accomplished. and TO express the
most sincere hope that when the propo.
sihon does come Tor the right.of- way
that the railway company shall be met
in the liberal spirit which the magni-
tude oil the change to ps demands from
a w%'de-swake and progressive commp-
nIfu