Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1855-08-09
The Railroad Again.


terprise.
The Meeting was called to order by his Honor
Mayor SHoLEs, who stated the object of the
Meeting, and called for the reports efcommittees
appointed at the last meeting. The committees
appointed to canvass the City fer additional
stock subscriptions reported progress and asked
for further time Rev. Mr.. Gridley being loudly
called for, addressed the meeting at some length
and with much force. He was anxious for the
construction of the Road, because he believed it
was an Improvement that would enable Kenosha
to hold an honorable place among the cities of
Wisconsin, while without it Sire must dwindle
into comparative insignifcance. The cities
north and 'Soutk and west were making their i'm
pfovements TO keep up with the spirit and prog
ress of the times, and five in alenosha did moth
ing of the kind, we must as natural consequen ce
fan in the back-ground.-W could not lie sup
ine and expect to advancement only that, but we
could not even retain our present position; if we
do not advance we must retrograde. With the
spirit of enterprise and progress exhibited all
around rs, our business would be taken from US
and our population must follow it, to a greater
tain that no city on the Lake had greater natural
advantages than Kenosha; her facilities for Har-
Dor were unsurpassed-west of US lays the most
beautiful and productive country in the whole
west; hardly an acre all the way to Rock River,
but that was susceptible of cultivation, and of
producing largely. Eight or nine years ago, he
first visited Wisconsin-.the beautiful location of
Contbnort Tho beautiful couptrv and rich nrai
ries in her rear had attracted him and he had
pitched his tent and made him home here, re-
solved to live and die here-his affections had
clustered around that home, and he loved Keno
.sha still, and wanted her to retain her place
among her sister cities--for that reason he was
warmly enlisted in this great enterprise-he was
willing to give of his substance to the farthest
extent to aid it and secure its final completion.
He thought he not stepping out ofhis sphere,
as Minister of the gospel, in advocating this
enterprise-in laboring for the growth, prosperi-
ty and welfare of the city he was advancing the
interest and cause of religion and morality. Mr..
G. sat down amid the cheers of the whole
house.
Rev Mr.. Bishop being loudly called for, arose
and responded to the call in a speech, approving
and endorsing all that Mr.. Gridley had said. He
too had come to Kenosha to make a home for
himself where he might live and die-he came
young man, to grow up with the place, but unless
we kept up with the Improvements that were
going on around us, the place would not grow up.
He was satisfied of the immense advantage--the
Importance, the construction of this Road would
be to the city, and the county, and he was will
ing to do all in his power morally and pecunia-
rily to help it along.
MI II. B. Towsee followed with some peril
nent remarks in reference to the question in
hand and drew vivid picture of Kenosha with
ont a Railroad, and what she might be with one.
lie too was willing to do all he was able to push
along this, to Kenosha, important enterprise. If
necessary, rather than not have the Road built
and all our natural advantages sacrificed, he was
willing to sacrifice what little property he had in
the cause.
Rev Mr.. Montgomery of Chicago, spoke brief
" in regard to the influence of Railroads gener-
ally upon the growth of places especially where
situated like Kenosha with all the facilities for
commerce and trade.
II. B. HINsDALE being loudly called for, came
forward, and spoke at some length, and with
such effect that he was greeted with frequent
cheers. The meeting had called him out and he
should speak, but he thought they would find
they had caught Tartar, it was to late in the
day to argue, or to talk about the advantage and
necessity of Railroads-the subject had been OK
hausted, and re -exhaustcd-hc was going to -rold
and his friends must bear it the best way they
could. Only a few years ago Kenosha was mp
with all her neighbors on the Lake Shore, in pop
ulation, business, wealth and prosperity-then
bhe had the same facilities that other cities had
she had her bridge piers, her prospects for har-
Dor, and her wagon roads into the country, and
Milwaukee, Racine, and Waukegan had no more
she had a better country in her ear, and she
even outstTipped her rivals in the race, she was
IN advance. Milwaukee and Racine threw out
their Plank Roads into the country and Kenosha
threw cut her Plank Road and still she was up
abreast. But here she stopped. Other counsels
prevailed, aud selfish interests were permitted to
step in and her public interests were sacrificed
her neighbors went on in the race, ard she was
left in the Observation-Disclosures started her
Railroads, and Racine added to her Plank Roads
ana kenosha still lay sup!ne, and was lett still
further hehinA. That policy had prevailed, and
now in 1855 she Gogai herself nowhere-and now
w;Ah all this light OF ekperienee-~si,h the jsssy-
liable fate before thsm Of sinking into total OF
security. unless they awake to action, her people
were discussing whether they should go to work.
For his part he did not feel Ike discussing the
matter; he could not appreciate the infatuston
that governed the people of Kenosha-when
they should strive to see who should do the most
Cor theiy general salvation, they were feebly and
idly discussing whether they should do anything
lie was sometimes almost ashamed to aeknowl
edge that he belonged to Kenosha- But he still
loved keuosha with 2ll her Eults-hs believed
the ground that had been lost could be recover
ed, but il must be done by action and not by talk
irg, aiope-eyery citizen of Kenosha must taks
hold with will and determination to sink al
minor issues in this one great enterprise. He
was willing to do as well as tslk-he had alread,
subscribed to the stock of the road, if it was ne.
ccsSary he would subscribe more, if another
course was thought best. tax his property TO tbs
amount of one half ia value ana no yvopl3 NIL