The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-06-08
From Col. RIB. Mason, Chief Engineer Of the
DUBUQUE T. Pacific Rail Road.

IL Il Il Il II It
From Col. RIB. Mason, Chief Engineer Of the
Dubuque T. Pacific Rail Road.
LIMOS CENTRAL RAIL ROAD OrrIcr,l
Chicago, May 80, 1853.
J. P. FAREY-Dear Sir: | notice by the
Dubuque pnprs, that the question of loaning
the credit Of he county, or issuing bonds to the
amount of 100000 to aid in the construction
of road Westward from Dubuque, is soon to /
be submittedto the people for their approval or
rejection.
This is aquestion in which all have deep
interest, andhe result should be carefully con-
sidered. TIL proposition is for the county to
take 100000 in the stock of the road, and is
sue their boris for that amount to pay for it
The ciizens'f the county would very naturally
look at this an individual would, and exam
inc the subjet to see whether it would be pro-
ftable and ste investment But how is this to
be done, or THAT evidence is there that it will
of similar orrations in places similarly stua-
ted, would sem to be as safe and reliable evil
denee as Guild be produced. Suppose, then,
we pxamnethe question by this test, and take
bedin aid Of the construction Of the Cleveland
and Columbus road. 1t is but about two years
sine that road was put in operation, and already
some of the counties Lave sold their stock, and
re,lized some 25 to 80 per cent. more than their
Indebtedness. Or, to make it more plain, a
county that subscribed 100000, has been re-
Giving large dividends for two years past, and
hive now disposed of their stock at clear pro-
Fl Of so or $6OOOO. But to take the case nearer
hpme, we will suppose that the county of Cook
had taken 100000 to aid in the construction
If the Chicago and Galena Union Railroad
is not necessary to go into an argument to
s,ow what would have been the result in this
case, for all know that the Chicago and Galena
road has paid large dividends, and occasionally
IN extra dividend, and that the stock now com
mands handsome premium, so that the county
profit over and above the original investment
and the interest thereon. Were the prospects of
the Chicago and Galena road any more promls-
ing at the time it was commenced than the Du-
buque and Pacific road is now, or is the country
more favorable in an agricultural point Of view,
for the first thirty miles west of Chicago than
it is for the first thirty miles west of Dubuque ?
the true answer to both Of these questions would
buque. So far, then, as we can judge from the
light OF experience, the county Of Dubuque
may safely make the investment, and have a
reasonable prospect of making handsome pro-
fit from it.
But, suppose we examine little into the op-
Grafton of building the road On about every
mile of the road, it is necessary to build tenn
porary building, or shanty, as it is termed, for
struction: each one of these becomes a market
where the farmer can dispose of the produce of
his farm, and by the by, would advise the far
mer to lay in good stock of potatoes. This is
an important article in the construction of Rail
roads, and in the interior of Illinois, have known
Is cts per bushel paid for them on the line of
the lIlionis Central Railroad. If the farmer has
grain of any kind, or beef cattle to dispose of,
there is a market for it at his door.
If he has more oxen or horses on his farm
than he needs, there is market for them, or he
can send them TO the Railroad, and save his
5000 year or more, without any additional cost
to him, except the wear and tear and the keep
ing the team and driver, and paying the driver.
IL he has timber for sale, there is market for
it, for ties or bridges. There is nothing in fact
produced from farm but what is used in the
construction Of a railroad and the great Difficult
ty has been in the n,eror of illinois the ILL
nois Central Road when there has been no home
market as heretofore, that the farmers have not
been prepared for the additional consumption
caused by bringing such large body of men
and teams into the country and in some cases
pork, beef and Flour have been transported fro m
20 to ~ miles for the use of the contractors.
The result of experience thus far in the inter-
Tor of Illinois is that all Of the products of the
farmer has nearly doubled in value since the
of the road was commenced, a very
large portion of the Government lands in the
vicinity of the road has been taken
up; and although it is but about six months since
the Land Offices were open for the entry Of
land, prairies are already being dotted over with
new buildings and improved farms. 1t is not
IN unsafe calculation, and experience will bear
me out in saying that the value of property
within ten miles of the road will be enhanced
in value more than the whole cost of the road
within one year after it is completed.
Your place, as understand it, is at this time
to extend this road about 80 miles west of Du-
buque, which is to be called the first Division
This may or may not be merged in other divis-
ons when the road is extended, which undoubt
edly, will be at an early day. We will suppose
t to be kept separate, that every mile that is add
ID to it increases the business and consequently
he value of the first 80 miles. There can be
no doubt, or at least there is none in my own
mind, but what this will be trunk road, one
route to continue in Westerly direction and
another in North West course, diverging from
Zach other some 40, or so, or 60, miles West
IF Dubuque, so that the 80 miles of road now
proposed TO be built would have the business OF
wo roads to pass over it, May we not in fact
'afely compare this project with the Chicago
md Galena road and anticipate from it similar
esul,s, or at least anticipate results that would
make it entirely safe for the county to issue Bonds
n aid of its construction; 1 cannot myself see
my reason to doubt it.
Very respectfully yours,
RIB. MASON, Engineer
IL We learn from the most reliable authority
hat arrangements have been made by which
he railroad from Milwaukee to Madison will be
xtended from the latter place to the Mississippi,
t Prairie du Chen, and upon the completion
fthe road to that place, steam tugs will be
laced on the river, to ply from Prairie du Chem
o Lansing and Cassville, affordng the citizens
f our county an opportunity of embarking on
he railroad at any Of our river towns. So mote
be.-ClGyton Co. Herald
u We were informed last week that man
"a German, we believe-stopped at Mr. Ar
Odds, in Clayton, where he had remained but
short time until he was suspected of taking |