Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-02-10
GRANT GO. HERALD.
sATUKDaY::::::::::FEBRUA,Yio 10, 1914.
IKE REronr Of the Hgn. Q. n. Pic. Chair

enquire into the expediency of constructing a
Rail Road rom the Mississippi TO Lake Michigan,
across tho Territory, vii! be found upon our first
page.
The author Of this report deserves much praise,
not only for the high degree IF interest which he
nanIestIy feels for the success OF his subject but
for hayng forced its consideration upon the alien
lion Of two successive Legislatures. The data
presented in regard TO the kinds aud quantity Of
lreightthat must inevitably pass over the road will
be read With interest. At the same time the re-
port is neither Indicative of labor OF extensive re.
search. The following error 10 too glaring to pass
unnoiiced:
"fhe perfection 10 which the construction Of
similar works has been brought within few years
aud the economy which experience has taught
can DO observed IN them, has effected TO most
wonderful extent, the cost OF this species OF inter-
nal improvement, and reduced the cost from 6 l00,-
900 per mile and often more, to ten or twelve
thousand dollars per mle''
Here we are ,old; lst, that Rail Roads have
once cost more than 100000 pen mile; 2dly, that
the economy Of experience has reduced this amount
to ten or twelve thousand dollars, and lastly, that
the Rail Road in question will cost $4,000 per
mile Rail Roads have once cost 100000 per
mle-they now cost but 100000, therefore, the
one in question will cos, 100000 per mile. Now
here is one trIlh opposed to two gross mis-state-
menn. The cost per mile Of the most expensive
Rail Road in The Union, was $4,000. And how
does il happen, after successive Improvements have
reduced the average Of roads to ten OF twelve
thousand dollars per milo'-tis truth Of which
cannot be queslionod--that the one forming the
subject Of the report, passing over acknOwedgsdly
one Of the most advantageous locations for Rail
Road in the United States, will cost $4,000 per
mile! all average considerably above the average
cost Il all tho Rail Roads in the Union! But per-
haps this $4,000 estimate was designed to be APP
plicabe only to the route crossing the Plates and
Peckatonicas. II this is true, and $4,000 had
been added TO the 90, and thes route then been
pronounced as the selected for the loca.
ton Of Rail Read, the accuracy Of the state
ment could never have been gaiAsayed Upon
reading that part Of the report ia which the last
mentioned route is held up as an eligible one, we
were iorcbly reminded OF the red Lines, represent
ing projected Rail Roads, which almost deaced
the maps OF noighboring State in 80. route
characterized by passing rapidly from the lowest
to the highest levels ofthe county, from the deep
EST yales to tho highest peaks; ehcolntering grade
after grade Of 81 to iCG per mile and winding thro'
narrow, serpsntIne valleys at the expense OF curves
no loss Objectionable; now crossing rapid rivers
nd hnt ,vtt a. 30 lie -, ia,
uhending sides
If the Committee, Instead Of wasting its time
over route thus wholly and forever mpracticab,e,
had confined their attention to another which Ma
ture has recommended in her strongest language;
given iu aud faithful description Of this route;
shown as they easily could have done, that road
could be built upon this location and supplied with
cars At eostncyer exceeding $l,2o0,OOO; estlm-
aipd At greater length the whole amaunt of height
and t,aye that would naturally pass over the road
a stated number Of years hence, they woald-in
place OF leaving the subject they now have, gar
hled and dsloued--have thrown li.h, upon a mat
ter with which the interests Of this region are en-
tirely and strictly identified, and thus have done
themselves some credit and the Tenit ny some
seye,.
The report OF the Commissioners Of the Gen.
eral Land office lately laid before Congress,
shows thai the amount received from the sale
of public lands this year is $4,000, 900, bSing
5000, 900 greater than the amount received last
year from the same source. Very little Of the
land has been sold above the minimum price.
resulting, probably, from the operations Of the
pre- Exemption law. To the actual settler in ma
ny cases The effect of this law has been good
and 10 no por,ioa Of the Union have the real
benefits of this law been felt more sensibly
than in the West, We do not now refer, par
,iculary. to this portion OF the West, for here
we may prove pre- emplions under all the laws
that have ever passed and still we will find
tina, the patents are withheld and that much Of
The land is reserved even after it has been
paid Tor aud the certificate Of entry made By
the Register and Receiver. Some 10000 a.
ores Of land have been reserved within the
Mining District and the reservation first made
long after the Land had been entered and paid
for, portion at public sale and the balance
by presumption and private entry. The law
Of pro emplion, then, but little effects the pee.
pie of The Mines, although it is of the mos,vi,
tai Importance TO those portions of the Wes
where Lead ore has no, been discovered. OI
this course Of procedure the people have com
planned and still do complain that even hand.
ed Justice is no, melted out 10 them. We hope
to see the yexed question Of Reservation set