Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-03-15

HARBoRs.-There is one question pertaining to
the subject of harbors on our lake shore, which it
is now time for those interested in their construc-
ton we'll to consider. If the general government
will grant appropriations for harbors what will
the people dol To say that we must do without
harbors, provided Congress does not aid to build
them is throw blig ht over every productive in
terest of the Territory. The value of our lands
and our products, must always be less in Wscon-
sin than those of the States bordering the lakes,
where harbor facilities enjoyed. The compar-
alive difference cannot be less than from fifteen to
t,oentyre per cent. between farms, or the products
OF farms, where the means of exporting and i'm
porting facilitated by harbors, and those farms
where harbor privileges do not exist. Therefore
admitting Ohio to be equally healthy and produc-
tive as Wisconsin, the grain grower in Ohio, will
have the advantage over the grain grower of Wis
consin, in the same proportion the grain of the
latter is deprecated in value, for the want of those
shipping facilities which harbors afford. This adj
vantage before remarked, cannot be less than
from fifteen to twenty five per cent. in favor of the
farmer who markets his produce at a lake town hav-
ing the benefit of harbor, and he who carries his
produce to town having no better facilities for
shipping, than exist any of the towns on the shore
of the lake IN this Territory. The people of Wis
consin then cannot be SO unmindu of their interest
to entertain the idea that if government does not
build our harbors, must dispense with them.
| In view of the slight probabilities of our obtain
ing aid from Congress, to build our harbors it is
important that some plan should be devised, to pro
vide for wants in this respect. The commence
ment of work of this kind without an appropria-
ton from government, is not without precedent on
the western lakes. The harbor at Buffalo was
commenced by chartered company; and finished
sufficiently to admit vessels and protect them from
the storm. AT the time the work at Buffalo was
commenced, tar greater difficulties were in the way
than now exist at Southport. We are not prepared
to recommend any definite plan, but We believe the
matter should be discussed and some course for f,
ture action concluded upon. The value of every
species of property in this Territory, depends upon
harbors our lake coast, and the loss which will
be sustained by the farmers of Wisconsin in eonse.
quence of taxes incurred in shipping their produce
would erery gear amount to a sum sufficient, to
construct one harbor on the lake shore.
To say nothing then of what is due to the pro-
lection OF life and property on lake Michigan, the
pecuniary interests alone which are at stake in this
Territory, Is sufficient argument why something
ought to be done Immediately So long as ou
shore is without harbors our advantage s are une
quail with those who have them; and this inequali
y In our commercial facilities, will operate as
tax upon our industry, and prove serious draw
back to our future advancement as Territory.