Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-02-24

been made in the Territory, and if success
tul, will doubtless be succeeded by others,
we deem ii proper to remark some what at
length upon this subject. 1t is pretty gen.
orally conceded that the construction Of
railroads and canals 10 our Territory can
not, or ought not to be undertaken for Sc
yeral years TO come. But we need good
channels OF inland communication immedi-
ately. When we look at our surplus agri-
cultural productions, the wealth Of eur for
ests and our mines; when we consider the
fertility of our soil, the facilities we enjoy
for inland navigation, and the tide Of popu-
lation which is setting in upon us, we feel
that something should be done on this
subject, and that speedily. Nature has
destined US for great agricultural and
commercial people; let US fulfil our destiny
as best we may. And TO begin al the
foundation, wo must first have good main
theroughfares leading from our navigable
waters to the interior. The least objec-
tonable, AID perhaps the only practicable
ones at the present time, are turnpike or
plank roads. These will never be con-
structed under the present road system, by
the districts through which they pass, or by
individual contributions, TO say nothing OF
the unequal and unjust burihen of such a
measure, if il could be thus accomplished.
The only alternative, then, is to charter
companies to construct good ard permanent
roads, and authorize them to collect tolls. -
The turnpike system has been generally
adopted, and with manifest benefit, both in
this country and in Great Britain The
system is based on the equitable principle
that commerce shall defray its own expen-
ses, or that those who use the roads shall
pay for them. Ii removes from particular
districts the unequal burden of maintaining
alone the great travelled roads, and supports
them by an equitable tax on all benefited.
interpretations for this object are net obnox-
ous 10 most of the objections so Justly urged
against monied and manufacturing corpora
tons. Turnpikes are common benefit to
be used and enjoyed by all; they are fixed
capital, which cannot be en..hezzled OF
sPuandered, or removed. The COMPANY
may become bankrap, or dissolved, bu, thcil
capital, the road, remains for the use Of the
public. But these, like all other incorpora.
lions enjoying exclusive privileges, should
be carefully guarded; FIRST, they should be
properly constructed and be Of sufficient
length to benefit the public before tolls are
collectable; second, the tolls should be pro-
portioncd 10 the expenditure, and the bene-
fit; third, they should not be suffered to be
levied when a turnpike is not in good re-
pair; and the company should be liable for
ANY damage sustained by defect in their
road; fourth, the public should be protected
against imposition by improper delays OF
otherwise; and fifth, such interpretations
should be liable to inspection or legislative
control. In drafting the bill for incorpora.
ing the Southport and Beloit Road Com
pany, which tho committee herewith res.
pectfllly submit, they have embraced al
these provisions and others Of less impor.
lance, so that the rights Of community should
BIO efectuaily guarded.
The construction Of firm and durable
road between the points above named, which
would afford easy access TO market at all
seasons, is greatly needed; extending, as i,
would, from Lake Michigan TO Rock river
near the mouth of the Pecatonica, and for
more than sixty miles through the mos,
highly cultivated and densely settled por-
tons of the Territory, and contiguous to
our southern boundary, il would furnish a
conven'eut cu'lct for the large wheat crops
OF southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois
for portion Of the lead from the mineral
region, and afford channel by which large
quantities. ofgoods and lumber would reach
the interior. For af least onc-fourth Of the
year, the road between the above points il
impossible by loaded teams and for anoth.
er fourth a team cannot transport over il
more than one half Of an ordinary lead.-
Your committee need not enlarge upon the
great loss and Inconvenience TO which this
subjects large community. They arc OBJ
vlous TO any mind on the least reflection
How shall this evil be remeded? We an
swer, by Incorporating company 10 con
siruct suitable road, and not Otherwise
This we believe, under proper restrictions
would be a highly beneficial and popula!
measure. Not TO dwell in general terms or
lis advantages, lei Us submit the proposition
to the test of facts and figures; Suppose a
plank road were constructed on the above
route, and such road is contemplated &c
be made eventually by the bill introduced,
and farmer living 80 miles out, wished &c
carry load to and from the Lake as the
roads now are, an ordinary load for two hor.
ses is 1900 lbs, and the time usually Goa.
sumed going and returning is three days
but on plank road, he could more easily
pass over the same distance in two days
with 5000 lbs. The account would then
stand thus:
Expenses of transporting 1900 lbs. 80
miles each way on the present road
Services of man, team and wagon,
8 days at So per day, SO 90
Expenses do do 5 days at
81 per day, 8 90
Total, 50 90
Services ofsame on plank road Cor
same distance. two days, at 81 per
day. S4 90
Expenses Of same for two days at
81 per day, 2 90
Total, Sc 90
Balance in favor ofplank road, SO 90
To which add the value Of trans
Dortinu 500 Lbs the eycess trans.