Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 July 1875 — More About the Road. [ARTICLE]

More About the Road.

As the prospects for building the Chicago A South Atlantio railroad become more apparent, the desire to become better acquainted with its history and prospeots increases, and wishing to satisfy that inquiry as far as possible, we have gathered together such data as we could make available, and shaped it as best we could, taking especial care to select nothing but well authenticated facts, and to present them without polish or adornment.

It is well known along the line of the first Contemplated road between Chioago and Indianapolis, that it has not only had open edemies, but secret foes, who have once or twice caused the abandonmentof the project. Jealous lines and equally envious cities upon contiguou&roade have fought it with a detenStf&tion that is usually awarded with success. I|ut the last time the enterprise was resuscitated, with the flattering prospect of extending it to the South Atlantic seaboard, it awakened such a strong public interest in the several states to thus be united, that seemingly the stronger and more violent the opposition became, the greater appeared the attachment of its zealous and uncompromising friends. Thsy gathered around it like men who are conscious of being engaged in a good work, and for more than a year they have labored without ceasing, not only in the impetuous current of an extended commercial' and monetary panic, but against the complicated and multiplied obstacles that ever intervene to impede the progress of undertakings of like character, and to-day they have the proud satisfaction of knowing that their pet scheme is assuming important proportions, and even m its prospective influence is now troubling the acknowledged railroad magnates of our great eastern metropolis. In their dreams they see the millions of bushels of cereals raised upon our boundless Western prairies, annually flowing in one continuous stream into the open lap of the Southern market for their consumption and for resbipment to foreign ports of the old world without paying the accustomed tribute to New Yorkers. They also imagine they see the products of Southern climes and foreign lands returning, not via New York, but by the great National Air Line that is to shorten the distance between the North and South and which is to save to the people of these two sections the immense profits that have helped to build up a palatial

city. and maintain an independent aristocracy. They see Chicago gaining prestige, and Indiaopolis pushing her way to take her assigned position as one of the first cities of our confederation. These facts are patent, and no wonder they fight this road with a zeal and determination they neyer before exhibited to such a distant rival. They well know that it is an enormous undertaking, but they also know that the genius of American industry demands the building of this mighty trade artery. They are not blind to the fact that Chicago has opened her ever generous hand, though just recovering from the damages receiyed in her passage through the fiery ordeal; they know that heavy private and public subsidies have been awarded all along the line; they know that the Legislatures of Kentucky, Tennessee and the Carolinas have made appropriations, and as far as they had power, granted rights of way, and they certainly know that the citizens of the above named States, who have so long been at thefnercy of New York monopolists, are in earnest in their unprecedented enthusiasm. No matter what faults or prejudices the Southerners may have, you generally know where to find them. Their avowed adhesion to any measure or policy signifiies that they endorse it with their might. While they may not possess Superior judgement, it must be said to their credit they are strangers to deceit. They have published to the world their faith in the completion of the Chicago & South Atlantic railroad, and have illustrated that faith with generous subscriptions and donations. As we said last week, this road will be built; the pressing demands of commerce between the two great sections, caused by the rapid development of their resources, for cheap and direct communication, has awakened an industrious people, who have only to agitate and work in order to secure ultimate success.

We find that the total amount of suhsriptions between Delphi and Chicago amount to one million dollars. There has been expended- in construction up to date, including the right of way, three hundred thousand dollars, with fonr hundred and fifty, thousand dollars of unexpended subsidies. The right of way into Chieago, skirting three quarters of a mile of river front, is estimated to be worth (as soon as the ordinance pastes, of which there seems to be no doubt) one million dollars additional. We have new Similes of the 105

between Delphi and Chioago, graded and bridged, and ties enough on band to keep ahead of the track layers. The Directors stand ready as soon as the city ordinance passes granting the right of way into the heart of Chicago, to commence laying the track in Illinois. All this has been accomplished within twelve months of exceedingly hard times, and in the face of a dangerous and organized opposition. With snch glorious results under the most discouraging circumstances, what may we not expect next year aided by the prestige already gained, with the same display of energy and perseverance? —Delphi Journal.