Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-05-13
PORT HURON CONvENTION.---RAAA
ROADS, &c.

ROADS, &c.
Having had the honor of appearing at the late
Railroad Convention at Port Huron, as delegate
from this city, deem it proper to oher 10 the puo
lie such thoughts as arc suggested by the ooings
of that body.
The Convention met and organized on the eve
ming of the 4th inst The northern counties of the
State of Michigan, and Canada West, were repre-
sented. Large delegations from Milwaukee and
Racine had been appointed, but in consequence of
DELAYS on the Michigan Central Road, failed to
reach Port Huron. A somewhat extended inter-
view had in Detroit after the Convention ad-
iourned, between them and the Michigan delega-
ton.
The primary object of the Convention was to
secure the construction of Railroad from Port
Huron to Lake Michigan, distance of POI miles.
This route was surveyed by the State in 1885,
The road was cleared of timber 100 feet in width,
and grubbed 20 feet wide for the track the entire
distance, and portions of the Road were graded,
involving an expenditure of nearly 100000 all
of which, together with the right of way, &c, is
included in the charter, and conveyed to the pres
ent Company. English capitalists have agreed to
furnish means to construct the road, provided the
Company will assign them II 600 shares, being a
majority of the stock-and the most satisfactory
assurances are given that the road will be compile
ted within two years. The Canadian Parliament
have chartered road from Port Sarnia, directly
opposite Port Huron, to London, a distance of SO
miles which connects with the great Eastern Road
thus supplying link in the great chains commu-
nicatine with New York and Boston, and also
with the "Grand Trunk" stretching eastward to
the Gulph of st. Lawrence and making a con-
tinuous line from Lake Michigan Of more than
1900 miles. Responsible parties in England have
pledged $40, 900 for the construction of the
"Grand Trunk" with branch to Detroit and
another to Port Sarnia. Aaethcf road called the
Oakland and Ottowa," is projected, forming the
same connections eastward via Detroit, and ter
minating at Grand Haven.
A proposition has been made by one party TO
connect these two interests at Carunna, 70 miles
west of Port Huron, and declined by the other.
Whether one or both The proposed roads shall be
made, tits almost certain that Grand Haven is to
be the Western terminus of one or more continu-
Gus lines from the Atlantic, by much shorter
route than any now travelled. From Grand Haven
to Milwaukee is 62 miles. A connection BY boats
between these points will afford the citizens of Mil
waakco the means Of reaching Detroit by 25 miles
less distance and New York or Boston bv nearly
25O miles less than by the lake and the Michigan
Central Rail Road.
If these projected roads prove as important 70
Milwaukee and all northern and middle Wiscon-
sin as they now promise to become the policy that
H., Il. X.
tle further south.
Let it be borne in miad that the business of Wis
conSin is regarded rs a principal element of sue
cess in this great enterprise. It's believed BY men
quite competent TO Judge in such matters, that in
few years the business of Wisconsin and the
country west and northwest, which would natural
~ seek this channel, would support the road from
Grand Haven to Port Huron or Detroit, without
any aid from the country through which ii passes
What then would b, the value of n rail road
branching off from the Michigan Central road at
Kalamazoo running westward TO Lake Michigan
opposite Kcno>ha thence connecting with Keno
sha by Boats: thence by the Kcnosha and Rock
River Rail Road and its connections westward rea-
ching to, or crossing the Mississippi river at Du-
huquc, at Gaena, and at Savanna An this ,cW
b. cfrcteciby completing the hcnosht and Rock Rire'
RIR Road, and We venture the opinion, that if our
road is completed within a reasonable time, at no
distant day the Michigan Central road will find 1t
for their interest to form such connection with
that indicated above. If it is found profta-
bile for the people of Milwaukee to cross the lake
instead of going round it, it will be profitable for
the southern portion of the state to do the same
II the Capitalists of England can afford TO make
9 road 200 miles to secure the business Of Wiscon-
sin, the Michigan Central Rail Road can afford to
mako road Of 40 or so miles to secure the same
object That company will not so far neglect their
own interests to remain inactive, while the north
and the south arc tapping the principal sources of
their profit. Facts and figures may be given in
regard to this subject hereafter
u JIrDSON