Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-02-25

We hope no one interested in railroad
movements in this county, will fail to read
the article in another column, entitled Rail
road History We have published for the
benefit of those interested, the history of the
beginning and progress of the Chicago and
Gaena Railroad, as we'll calculated to illus
trate the projected railroad from Kenosha to
Rock River. The settlement productiveness
and fertility of the country on the route of
the proposed road from this place to Beloit, is
fully equal to that on the line of the road
from Chicago to Rockford. If there be any
difference in these respects, it is that the
line of the road west Of this city, is the more
dcnsely populated.
There are some aspects in respect to the
projected road from this place to Rock Riy-
er, which we beg leave respectfully to sug-
gest to the farmers and owners of real estate
property in kenosha county. The influence
of railroads in increasing the value Of real cs-
tate property is as certain and natural a re-
suit as that rain and warm sunshine pro-
mote the growth of vegetation. Thus far
put into operation, any where in the Union,
where real property has not been increased
inyalue. Such was eminently the case on the
line of the Chicago and Galena road. Farms
which before the road was built were worth
from seven to ten dollars per acre. forty and
and sixty miles west of Chicago, command
ed prices from fifteen to twenty as soon as
the road became available for the Transports
ton Of freight Like effects will be proluc-
ell upon the entire agricultural dis
trict west, between this city and Rock
River, when the proposed road shall have
been built.
1t may be supposed by some that the ben
efts to real estate, would be confined to the
immediate vicinity or the townships through
which the road passes. This would not be
80; it is not in accordance with experience.
Farming lands in given locality will never
rise twenty-five or fifty per cent. in value,
without favorably affecting the rise of lands
within a distance Of twenty miles. The ten
dency of real estate especially in an agricul-
turaI country, can never be upward or down
ward in a particular neighborhood, without
a, 10 a
the proIuctivoness of soil and other alyan-
t1ges being equal. The great rise of real es-
tate on the line of the Chicago and Galena
road, has, without doubt, had an influence
on real estate values at a distance of thirty
and forty miles from the road, and where no
benefit whatever is derived from its use.
But suppose land owner, residing dis
lance of ten miles from the proposed road
running west from this place, persists in the
opinion, that his lands will not he enhanced
in value by its construction. There ore still
other benefits too manifest to be denied by
any one. Taxes are based on the valuation
Of property, and if lands near the line Of
the road are increased in value it relieves
those more distant from it from the
burdens Of taxation. Building railroads does
not increase county or state expenses, there
fore if property in one part of the county, or
any given locality, is increased in value, the
benefits reach the remote parts Of the coun-
ty in the matter of taxation.
Again railroads are taxable for county and
State purposes, according to valuation, the
same as other property. The distance from
kenosha to the western limits of the coun-
~ is about twenty-five miles, Estimating
The cost of the road at $4,000 mile it will
REQUIRE AN investment Of 100000 to build
the road to the western line Of the county,
Suppose then that the road be assessed at
half its cost IL would furnish basis of tax
alton Of 250,o0o-equal to about one fourth
Of the presnt valuation of the entire taxable
property of the county. Will any say that
this would after all be taxing the people OF
the county, only in another form; not so;
Il il not expected that this or any other ives
farn railroad will he built by home capital. !
Tie ll.4,.c ro-;ica ~ ID" money required t"