The Independent

Railroad Interests.

Having in our last issue stated the basis for the starting-point of the road; so far as Kansas is concerned, and the two points which should be connected by it—the Metropolis and the Capital—we propose to give some additional reasons why this should be the policy of the State.

Not deeming it necessary to waste time and paper in arguments to prove the fact that where the main road strikes the Missouri river will be the great city of this region of the west, as no one who is conversant with the history and philosophy of commercial precedents will controvert the position, we proceed to state some of the benefits to the State at large which will follow the adoption of this wise and consistent policy.

The city thus built up will draw capital to itself, as naturally as that gravitation tends to a common center. Hence, in the course of time millions, tens of millions and hundreds of millions of dollars will there find an investment; this will all be taxed, and thus aid very materially to lighten the burdens of taxation throughout the whole State.

Had we a city of that character at this time, it would lift one-half the taxes from the people. In this respect alone, the possession of such a city will be worth thousands, tens of thousands, and ultimately hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to the people of Kansas. This is beyond all controversy.

Now, shall we throw this prize away when it is in our grasp? Certainly not. But there are two ways in which it can be done. One of these is, to run the main line of the Pacific Road directly down the Kaw bottom to Kansas City, making that place—a Missouri town—the commercial emporium of the two valleys; the other is by granting to the Hannibal & St. Jo. road the right of a direct route along the northern tier of counties to the main road in Nebraska, thus making St. Jo., another Missouri town, the city of the west. If either or both these things are done, Missouri, and not Kansas, will reap the greatest benefit from the road. This shall never be done with our consent. If our interests were in Missouri, we should contend for both these measures, and endeavor by all means in our reach to divide the people of Kansas on local and other issues, so as to prevent united action among her citizens for their own good.

Having shown that Leavenworth must be the starting point westward from the Missouri river for the main road, let us for a brief time look to the northern route. Where shall it start from?

We have already shown that it will be suicidal in all respects to give the Hannibal and St. Jo. road a direct outlet to Nebraska, because that road will then be able to cripple the central one and domineer over Kansas and Kansas roads in general; and St. Jo. be built up to benefit Missouri, instead of a Kansas town to benefit us.

These points being established, it becomes necessary to lay down a policy for the State to adopt in reference to the northern route or branch of the road.

In a former article we stated the main features of that policy, but it was in connection with another line of argument, and we repeat.

For the same reasons that Leavenworth should be the starting point of the main line, Atchison should be for the branch line. This will give Kansas the two cities where the lines of the road meet the river, and thus secures to us all the advantages to be derived from such possessions. When we have the power to do this, instead of giving all to Missouri, or dividing with her, it will certainly be a piece of folly unheard of among sensible people for us to refuse or neglect to secure the great prize which lies at our feet.

On this policy the entire State can and should unite; the needless strife between Atchison and Leavenworth end, and the strength of the two cities be joined in mutual efforts, rather than frittered away in petty contentions.

The route from each of these cities would naturally be to the Capital of the State, and this would secure to us a third advantage in having the point of intersection in our State, thus giving Kansas the fullest measure of benefits from the roads.

If the councils of our State are guided by wisdom; if true statesmanship and broad views of policy shall control our legislation, all will be well; but if narrow jealousies and local cabals over
ride the graver questions which embody blessings for the present and the future, then all may be lost; Kansas mourn too late over her folly, and posterity wonder at the madness which ruled the hour when we committed self-destruction or an incurable wound from which it was impossible we should recover.

We shall have something to say of other roads in the State hereafter, in which Lawrence will be interested.