Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-02-15

THURSDA Y::: ::: I FEBRUARY ID, iS4s'
THE PLANK ROAD.
This enterprise is now before the people. The
question of constructing the road now rests with
them. Every property holder along the line and es-
pecially every one in Burlington and Mount Pleas
ant may not realize it, but they immensely inte-
rested in this undertaking. What will make land
in the vicinity of New London and Mount Pleasant
and within ten miles Of the line as valuable as that
is now in the vicinity of Burlington9 Most mani
testify the completion of this plank road. Why9
Because the ease with which the produce of those
lands can be brought to market, will make tie time
and distance OF very little consequence.
We were struck with one illustration off, c. Hall,
Esq. in his speech at the New London Convention.
He said that every man who owned quarter section
of land contiguous the line would count his land
worth more by $3.50 than il was before this work
was thought of-at least he would charge that much
for it, if he offered it for sale after the road
was constructed. Ifevery quarter section was en-
HANGED that amount in vaue-and it would be more
then as there are but Sc sections along the line,
one on each side-the rise in the value of the land
immediately contiguous would of itself pay for the
road. All can see that the land for five miles on
each side would be benefited in like proportion.
This project must commend itself to the 4 |mers
between here and Mount Pleasant with favor that
should lead them to subscribe literally to the stock
and cheerfully give up the right ofway; audit viii,
soon they realize its importance in promoting
their interests. There is doubtless the same skep-
ticsm to the utility of Plank Roads here as was
exhibited when they were first introduced. We are
informed by Of our most respected citizens that
when the first plank road leading to Montreal was
spoken Of the farmers secuted at the idea Of their
making use Of it. They hada good road already
The stockholders might ride it ifthey chose, but
for them they would pay toll to go to Mon
treal, on the Plank Road. AS soon however as they
saw it in operation and that their neghbors on the
plank road could haul eight times as much as they
could with the same team on their dirt road, thew
commenced using the Plank road themselves, and
continue to do to this day, both
roads are OF equal length. More than this: The
Plank Road was eighteen miles in length. The cit
liens Of a settlement six miles below, whose dis.
lance from Montreal was just eighteen miles and
who had hitherto considered theirs pretty good
road to Montreal, in the habit of coming the Sc
SIX miles out OF their way to get on to the Plank
road and going the whole additional eighteen miles
on that Sue. facts speak for themselves, and should
anhneEce the citizens Of this and Henry county to
act literally and energetica!ly in this matter. II
farmer could bring his load from Mount Pleasant
TO Burlington and return the night, we should
think that would be considerable imrroy crnrnt on
the common mode of travelling, and save large
amount of time and expense.
TO the Property Holders of Burlington il would
seem that little need be said to urge them to sub
scribe literally TO the stock of this improye:oc3t-
But alas, while all would like to have their proper ty
enhanced in value. they would prefer to see it done
through the action oftheir neiehbors rather than by
thetr own. SUCH backwardness is unpraiseworthy,
not 10 say unjust. 1t is burdening few which, di-
vided among all, should and would be privilege
II the property holders Of Burlington would MAIN
tain their position as the commercial emporium OF
Iowa, they must take hold Of this Plank Road and
build It Immediately. 1t can be done and should be
done BY the next fall. The history of Boston nd OF
Cincinnati should be incentive to our citizens
Those cities have become rich aad prosperous b,
the liberal enterprise displayed by their citizens in
their works OF internal improvement. Nigardli
ness and sloth on the part of the property holder
VIII ruin any city, however favorable its situation
may be. Enterprise and lberality will command res
pect and secure trade and eminence to any city what
ever may be its natural position.
The meeting on last Friday evening adopted tn,
Articles Of Incorporation under which they int nj
to act The articles published in our last paper wer,
amended BY reducing the price Of shares to $780, ant
~ requiring vote of two thirds Of the stockhold
ers to amend the articles Of association. There i.
nothing wanted but zeal and energy in securing t.
the company the right of way and liberal subscrip
uon to the stock, to ensure the completion of thi
most desirable work. To II. W. STARR, ESQ.
this community is already much indebted for bring
ing this improvement to its present promising con
dision. He has been the pipof man in this undertake
ang' and we hope he mag be backed by all the prop
erty holders who are TO receive any benefit from
this important work.