Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-06-30
TssE rsAu,ytsoAD.

hoA t'oiii h'oiL thaH "a PCiictltS w uAitE
States will fully bear US out. In sup
port Of this poeision we will offer to
them to-day. the testimony of Col. r..
b. Mason, who has been chief engineer
on The Illinois Central K. r., aud who
is now employed on the Dubuque and
Pacific road. Col. NJ. says of The
counties in Ohio tina. subscribed in cid
Of The construction of the Cleveland and
Columbus road:
IL Is but about two years since, that
road wac put in operation. AID already
soms of ihe' counties have sold their
stock and realized some IS or 80 pei
/ cent more than their Indebtedness. OR
10 make is more plain. county that
subscribed 100000 has been receiving
large dividends for two years past. aud
have now disposed of their stock a, a
clear prof. Of so TO 60 thousand dollars. -
Again Col. VI. remarks on the opera
/ :ien If building the road: .0u about
every mile Of the road ms necessary to
hsye shah,y, as il 10 termed. for The ac-
commn dalton of men engaged IN it's con-
srneIion; each enc Of these becomes a
market where she farmer can dispose OF
of the produce Of his farm; and by the
/
Sy | would advise the farmer 10 lny in a
good stock of potatoes; this is an i'm.
! poriaht article in the construction of
Railroads, and in the interior OF Illinois
have known 75cis per bushsl paid for
| thsm, on the illinoi. Central X. X. II
the farmer has grain Of any kind. or beef
sai!le to dispose Of, there is a market for
| IL n his doci. II he has more oxen or
horses on his farm than he needs. there
10 msfke. for them; or he can send
them 10 the rsiltosd aud save his 5000
a year OF more without any additional
cost 10 him except the wear and tear
and expenses of team and driver. II he
has timber for sale. there 10 market for
il, for ties and bridges. There 10 moth,
my, in fact. produced from q farm but
whats 10 used in the construction of rail.
road; and the great difficulty has been
in the interior Of lllinois, on the Illinois
Central X. r., where ,heTe has been no
hoTe market heretofore thai the farm.
ers have not been prepared for the adj
diiional consumption caused BY bringing
such large body of men and teams in-
to the country, and in some cases pork,
beef and -four has been transported from
20 80 so miles for the use Of contractors.
The result of~experience thus far in the
interior Of Illinois, lie that all of The pro-
ducts OF the farms are doubled in value
since .he construction Of the road was
| commenced"
at is a safe calculation and expert.
ense will bear me on, in saying that the
yslne 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 i, 10 completed"
These facts and opinions given by
Col. Mason. owing 10 the high repu,s-
lion OF tina. gentleman, az well az his am
pie opportunities to be fully posted up
in all he says; we regard as fully estab-
fishing every argumen. we have hereto
fore advanced in favor of Wspello CO..
taking stock in the Burlington IL Platte
Rail Road. should is be located any
where through our county; both as j. re-
gsrds The safety Of the county in its cor
porate functions ms well as the imme
dia,e and lasting increase of individual
wealth.
We introduce The testimony of Col.
Mason, and urge attention TO il, on ac-
coun, Of his high standing and his init
mate knowledge of the whole subject;
sad we kRow j, 10 corroboratcd BY all
who haze had full opportunity for cor
rect information on the results attending
the construction Of Railroads in she
Western ssales. And i, is indeed diff
cult for us to secoual Tor .he opposition
mamies ted by some 10 this enterprise
With these fucss fully before them. 1,
seems 10 argue stolid indifference 10 The
prosperity Of The county.
The right OF she majority to compel
the minority 10 contribute 10 the common
good is denied in this instance, while i,
- the Fundamental principle of the gov-
eminent upder which We live. and i;s on.
~ support; without the complete essab.,
'lishment snd fall exercise OF this princi-
pie, tie tables would soon be turned aud
a minority would control The majority.
IL is fully recognised in our case. in
matters OF far iess importance and where
lie exercise would tend less 10 advance