Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-06-17
niles, have been contracted for on favorable

in n thorough and substantial nsrner. and
if possible, with our means, to finish il with
an edge rail, which all experience seems to
have approved. as being greatly preferable,
and in the end more economical.
A OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ties-suited TO
such rail has accordingly been adopted,
and an edge rail will he procured It the
means of the company shall prove sufficient
to obtain il.
The extraordinary and rulnous financial
difficulties of Great Britain for some months
past. however, have served 10 tighten the
money market of this country to such an
extent, ms TO cause the withdrawal of pro-
posals of credit on lion and Engines, prevl--
ouslv made to the purchase of an edge ran
for their road, under circumstances, at all
compatible with the resolutions OF the
Board. not to exceed its means in any case,
nor for any consideration.
Acting under this impression, amounAng
almost to conviction, the Directors were IN
duced as their only alternative To provide
timber for longitudinal rails, to he placed Cor
the time being, on the superstructure of
cross ties and adopted for the edge rail, to
receive plate rail in the manner set forth
in the accompanying report OF the. Chief
Engineer.
Ii i also proper to remark. that many
considerations suggestive of the propriety of
adopting flat plate rail, in the first instance,
as far as Fox River, have presented them
selves.
In n country where money Is worth as
much as il is here, and where the means of
company are as limited as ours are, and
the necessity for the Immediate construction
A. IN "A
the very bad character of onr common roa,ls,
and of the great amount of the produce to
be transported over them; there are reasons
favo ing Il commencement with plate rail,
which would not be entitled to consideration
un Ter better circumstances.
Should the future Board find themselves
at any time hereafter, relieved from the ne
cessity of adopting fiat rail, from the IN
creased business that will result from such
extensions aud the flat rail, and the timber
upon which it is placed between Chicago
and Elgin, if used there, can then he taken
up and relaid on branch road 10 Belot or
to other points to which there will be occa-
sion for branches.
From the report Of the Chief Engineer,
il will he seen, tklt the grades on that ppr-
ton of the road between Chicago and Eign
are scarcely equaled on any other road III
the country; the maximum grade gong east,
being but six feet, and going west, but TWEEN
~ feet 10 the mile.
The character of the line, is also highly
favorable, a great portion OF 1t beng III
straight lines, and the few curves there are,
all having large radii, requiring but trlfiing
increase of power as compared with
straight line.
Owing to the champaign character of the
country over which the road passes, and the
consequent absence of any considerable
foods in the streams it crosses, the cost OF
grading and bridging from Chicago to Elgin,
and of the entire construction of the road,
will be greatly less than that of most other
roads, probably much less than that of any
other substantial, well constructed road OF
equal length ever built.
The Chief Engineers report also shows
the entire cost of this road, completed to
Elgin, fprty-onc miles, aud furnished with
engines and cars sufficient to commence bus
mess, to be $342, 900 less than $500 per
mile, or obout ope-third the average cost of
roads of like character in the State of New
York, which fully accounts for the large
earnings and dividends anticipated from it;
for if it earns but Ia per cent. on the av-
erage cost of similar roads in New York, it
will pay over 90 per cent. on IT. actual cost.
I Ii cannot have escaped the observation of
all acquainted with the region of country TO
be affected by The construction of this impor-
tant work, that if constructed now and ex-
tended east from Chicago, around the head
of Lake Michigan ill il meets in the Mich
igan Central Railroad. as it soon will be, it
secures 10 the country through which il
passes, the great North Western Rati-Road
boroughfare, for all time TO come.
No other continuous route Of railroad
will ever he made to that great and rapidly
improving country lying west and northwest
( of Lake Michigan, TO the north of the
southern end of that lake, if the road is es-
tahlshed there first No line To the south
Of il, near enough to compete with it, will
he AT all likely 10 he built while the business
| of the country can be prosecuted upon the
road in which we are now engaged. Indeed
no other line 20 the south of il can compete
with it, for the trade and travel of more
THAN half a million of people now .: the
north and west IT it, are tributary to il;
and the only struggle we have To secure all
the great considerations and ends we have in
view, lies IN the completion of the road to
Elgin. Once finished TO that point, il will
promptly demonstrate it, profitable charar-
ter and usefulness, and cDnmaDd the ciufi-
dense of al, and the means necessary ~ en-
sure its Immediate extension to it, iermina
ton nj Gnlena.
Orr subscription list numbering over ~
hInlrel subscribers, it will he seen by the
Secretary'$ report, exceeds in aninunt the
sum required - complete the roa1 with
~ rail u Ign Prompt payment by
the >toekh oilers, generally, Of an call made
- carry 0n the work, therefore, j. al that is
necessary 10 ensure the success of the road
with our present means, al m early day;
and, "a II requires nearly the whole a
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