Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-06-08
THE GRAND RIVER TIMES.
GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN.
WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNEs, 1853.


wa Railroad are nearly completed. On Friday
last the surveyors reached lake Michigan on the
south side of the river, on line running south
of Grand Rapids. Some alterations we are told
are to be made in the line as now run. Most
flattering accounts are given of the feasibility
of the route. A nearly straight course can be
obtained from Grandvle to this place. coming
into the village from the eastward and passing
near the "beech tree" Active steps are being
taken to secure the right of way on both of the
proposed routes through our county. So far
as we can learn, landholders are generally, if
not universally disposed to favor this all impor.
tant movement, and are willing to concede the
right Of way cheerfully without compensation.
The people of Ottawa county can not be too
thoroughly awakened to the necessity of taking
energetic and efficient measures to secure at
once the greatest boon ever held within their
reach. That the road would eventually be built
without even any aid from this quarter no man
can doubt. But its immediate construction will
be greatly hazatded unless material aid be rem
dered at our hands The time of its compile
ton, and the precise location of the route, will
doubtless depend much on the degree of liber-
atty manifested by our more able and infuen-
tial citizens who now seem to hold a very con-
trolling influence over the destiny Of this whole
region. An agreement has been made in wri-
ting to construct the road on condition that
100000 be raised in cash subscriptions. The
work is to be completed in running order with
in twenty-four months from the time this amount
is subscribed. The remainder of their pay the
contractors take in stock and bonds of the road
The distance from Pontiac to lake Michigan is
1913 miles. The road is to be built, furnished
with cars dock, depots, &C., at the rate of $685.
600 per mile, subject to a change of route from
Ada to Grand Haven. In case the route from
that place as ultimately located should prove
more difficult than the one first surveyed, then
the contractors are to receive such additional
compensation as shall be just OF this $780,
600 the ID. g. p. r. r. Co. have agreed to take
$685. 900, and 100000 is allotted to Detroit,
leaving 100000 to be raised along the line of
the road. AT the meeting held in Detroit on
minutes by only eight or nine individuals. The
counties eastward appear to be coming up to
the work and will probably subscribe their fair
proportion. We are not willing to believe that
our own citizens will be found whit behind
their neighbors in making efforts to bring them
selves fully within the pale Of modern improve
ments.
We are we'll aware of the difficulties that at
tend move of this sort in a new county,
There is here no surplus wealth. What little
capital there is seems TO be wholly swallowed
up in the ordinary channels of business This
business too is constantly increasing and is linn
tied in its operations only by the amount of
means that can be found for Investment. Every
thing is to be done, and there is but little where
with to do it, STILL in the present case we think
the difficulty is not so great as would at first
sight appear. The money does not go out of
the country, and, as it is to be paid in only at
the rate of five per cent per month on the stock
subscribed, twenty months will elapse before
full payment will be required. In the mean
time every branch of industry will be quicken
ed money will be plenty, and the means TO meet
by small installments the obligations which our
men of property are now called upon to incur,
will be within their control. Five or six coun-
ties are required, not to give, but merely to
make paying investment of S267,000 and in
return are to see an expenditure made within
their limits in two years of $4,000,000 which
will remain in the shape of a permanent i'm
provement, and without question turn out to be
one of the most important achievements of HUI
man industry yet attempted in this State.
The exigencies of the times call for immedi-
ate action. The present period of unexampled
pecuniary prosperity will not always last. The
world is now moving on at rapid rate. SINH
liar works have been projected in various other
sections of the country, and capital has been and
still is being drawn thther for their construc-
ton. Every years delay of this work will make
the comparison less favorable between our
selves and other more enterprising communities.
Until it is accomplished the tide of emigration
will continue to flow to more accessible locali-
ties, and capital will there also continue to seek
and find profitable investment, while the real ell
ements of our own wealth and prosperity will