The Railway Question Between Bozen and Verona

South Tyrol, September 21. You recently took the resolutions of the Innsbruck municipal committee on railway matters as an occasion to advocate for the railway from Bozen to Verona as well, recommending that the course taken by North Tyrol be followed. Since then, we hear that another meeting on this matter has been held in Innsbruck. It appears, therefore, that further results have been achieved there and that they intend to move forward vigorously. Here, on the other hand, nothing is yet heard of any understanding reached as a consequence of those resolutions, nor is any activity whatsoever perceptible that might have been prompted by the raising of this question. The report in the “Tiroler Bote” regarding the steps taken in Innsbruck has been reprinted in all the papers, proof of the importance attached to them everywhere. Could it be that the idea really finds the least resonance among us, who are most directly affected, or is it a sign that people consider it fantastic and nebulous from the very outset? Yet it ought not to be such an entirely mythical notion, else our cold, calculating brothers from across the Channel would not have offered their money for it two years ago; to be sure, once John Bull sees his advantage, he is not as easily frightened as good old Michel, who can wax enthusiastic for an independent Italy and Poland just like a southerner, yet turns over his coin ten times and writes twenty sensible treatises before daring to repair his damaged roof. Enterprise in this country admittedly suffers a tremendous impediment from the lack of available capital, but for a matter of necessity such as this, even the ordinary citizen should yield his gulden, and indeed the day laborer his kreuzer, lest a time come when he can no longer earn even that. Mr. Maffei’s idea of procuring the financial resources through daily contributions of 6 kreuzers, and accepting as such also portions of wages, supplied tools, and ceded plots of land, deserves to be especially recommended in this regard, and there is no doubt that in this manner at least a portion of the costs could be defrayed here as well. The main point is and remains, however, that influential men must first take up the cause; it will then soon become clear whether the idea has a future, or whether we must face our destiny with open eyes and tied hands.