Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1855-08-23
To tie Proprietors of Real Estate in the
City of Kenosha

FELLOW CITIZENS I'VE are called upon to
vote on the 2Sth inst, to decide the question,
submitted by the city council in the ordinance
entitled "An Ordnance in relation to a tax in
aid of the Kenosha 81 Beloit Railroad" The
question is one that involves the dearest inter-
est of our beloved city. 1t is whether we will
vote the tax, and thereby enable the Directors
of the K 81 b. r. r. Co to mature contract
to put the road in running condition, % miles,
by the first of March next, with all the untold ad-
vantages that must flow to the city in such an
event. Or whether we will refuse the tax, and
thereby defeat the contract, and extinguish every
hope that the II. r. will be completed in any def
mite future time, if at all That is the true as
pcct of the question, which we are called upon
to determine
The chief objections which seem to lie in the
minds of some of the voters are, 1st. The amount
of the tax to be levied is oppressively large, and
I'd. The time in which it is to be collected is too
short.
Let us look at these objections in detail for a
moment. Eighty four thousand dollars, of the
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, are al
made to the Rail Road capital. Sixty-six thous-
and dollars therefore remains to be taken in
stock, by the tax payers on real estate within the
bounds of the city.
There is the amount of forty-onc thousand two
hundred and thirfy-fvc dollars of real estate
according to the present harbor tax valuation
owned in this city by on-rcsidcnts, from whom
no subscription to the Rail Road stock has been
obtained. There is also to the amount of thirty
eight thousand two hundred and fifty-six dollars
in the real estate, held by large property owners
in this city, which has not yet been represented
in stock subscriptions to the road. These two
sums in the aggregate, will amount TO somewhat
less than onc-third of the whole assessed harbol
valuation. Is that right This one-third or less
of the real estate of this city has taken nothing
of the practical burden, in that enterprise which
is to benefit all equally Are these persons will
ling to share in the benefits which will accrue to
the city and yet refuse or neglect to bear thcii
portion Of the cost of building the road
Moreover; some months before the time the
assessment will be made, the Road (if the con
tract is not defeated by our votc) will have been
in running order. Trains of Cars will have
traversed daily to and from our city to distance
of % miles into the interior; and property will
have felt, the upward tendency so greatly that
doubtless the valuation of real estate win be in
creased to at least 400 900 dollars
On that basis then, the tax will be assessed
Hence each person owning a lot assessed 500
or more, or less, will be called on to pay thirty
seven and half per cent. This divided into
three annual installments, will be n fracti OF
more than twelve per cent per annum. Is that
oppressive? especially in view of the fact that
he gets back all he pays, in stock, or its cquiva-
lent. Is the time too short in which to raise
this money; especially seeing that longer pc.
Rod might dcpreciate our Railroad securities, al
ready given?
Fellow citizens, the thing is preposterous, for
n moment to hesitate in this matter. Never was
there a moro suspicious period than the pre- sent
for building our r. r. and shall we falter at this
crisis Shall we then through a short sighted
policy, or a low degrading covetousncss, lose the
prize already within our reach? Will we not
pluck the pear now it is ripe, and revel in the
luxury OF a triumph? Will we not determine
the vote shall be carried unanimously the tar
shall be raised A TAX PAYER