Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1855-09-20
The Railroad and the countrz,

pletion of our western road, depended only on
the favorable vote of citizens on that propo-
sition. Wegathered as much from various sour
ces, which we supposed spoke by authority, and
made the statement in good faith. BUTT was q
mistake. The vote was necessary and the scrip
is necessary, but more is required. A greater
basis for Operation is needed before the work can
be resumed with the full assurance that there
will be no further failure in completing it, and
this end we suppose the directors wish to see
clearly before rcsuming the work. The City in
its corporate capacity has done all it can and all
it ought to; and So very GENERALLY, have its cit
liens in their individual capacity. This addi-
tional basis then must come from some other
source, and we know of but one which is the
country that will be benefited by the construc-
ton of the road
We have never doubted the necessity that ex-
listed for the City having this road nor the bene-
fit it would be to her, but we have always felt,
and we speak candidly when we say it, that it
would be of even more benefit to the country
1t is quite natural that such an enterprise should
originate III the city, and that the city should
hold the laboring oar, but when it becomes ne
cessary, as in this instance, it will be recognized
very just, natural, and proper, that all the par
ties in interest should bear proportion, even if
it is not due or equal proportion, of the labor.
We are glad TO know, from the success that
has already attended the efforts in the country,
to raise stock subscriptions, that many view the
matter in the same light that we do, and we have
little doubt that on fair and Impartial canvass
OF the matter, all viii so view it. We do not
intend to be wild nor over-zea!ous in this matter
| We do not like ourscf to be deceived, and if we
| know il do not mean to deceive others And we
do not conceive that we shall be esteemed at all
out of the way when we assert that the construc-
ton of this road will add nearly if not quite half
a million of dollars to the value of the real es-
tate, say Of seven and a half miles in width on
each side Of the road, extending as far west as the
west line of the county. To determine this let
any man price this land now, and let him after
the read is constructed, again price it, and if he
don't find the same men asking for it such an in
crease of price as will make the half million we
speak of, we will confess ourself mistaken. This
increase only involves about two dollars on an
the owners of the land will themselves acknow-
ledge And this increase is real, fer to the dis
tant lands the road makes it by bringing the mar
ket to them, and to those near the city it makes
it by insuring a. steady market for every thing
raised, and at better prices Land near Chicago
ana milwaukee, is worth more than here not be
causeit is better for really it is not so GOOD but
because of the better market and the MANY adj
yantages which large place possesses over a
small one f; so that any growth of this place must
have its effect upon the country.
Surely we are not cxaggcrating particle here.
And if not, we appeal directly to every man who
owns foot of land within the range of this pro-
sed road, to reflect whether lie can afford to lose
1t by letting the project fail And particularly
when the amount asked of the country is comma
ratively so very small; being in the aggregate
but little if any more than twenty-five per cent.
on the actual increase as conceded of the proper
ty, and we suppose less than ten pc cent of the
real value of such property. And this too, with
the terms OF payment so arranged that the prop
erty will earn it as fast as it is called for VIII
not our country friends consider of it, They
must dsabusc themselves of the idea, if they
have it, that in this matter the city is begging
for contribution or gift. 1t is not so, no more
than if we were seeking to sell threshng ma
chimes which would do twice the work at half the
cost and half the labor now involved. 1t is an
Improvement just as certainly of value to them
as a new barn on their premises, and at a much
less cost proportionably than a barn would be-
If iS really n tho +lo &c
Iwealth-that railroads are most valuable. Pro
perty in cities beyond question has been largely
advanced, but it has been but drop in the buck
ct compared with the advance of property in the
country And to this fact the farming popula-
ton of our state are awaking. The Racine road
was rcsusciated from its early failure by the aid
of the farmers along the routes and short time
since when the road was opened to Union Grove
it was the farmers who took the lead in the cello
braton and rcjocings. The Milwaukee and La
Crosse road with its several branches is being
/ built mainly under tie same auspices, and the
Southern Wisconsin road has also an immense
subscription among the farming population of its
vicinity. We know of no reason why it should
be different here, and VIC do not suppose it is.
! We presume it is only necessary for our country
friends to understand that their aid is really nee
ded to insure such aid 1t would be no more than
hnman nature perhaps for them to let us build
the road alone if we We're able and felt disposed
! but we are. quite confident they are too shrcwd,
/ if we cannot do the work, to let it fail for want
Of the mitc necessary to he advanced by them.
/ Let them understand then that the work is in
their hands We have given the work a good
start-haye done all we n,all we ought to; they
are the only other parties in interest, and if they
conceive the thing will not pay, so be tour
loss will be less than theirs.
| But as we remarked, we anticipate no failure.
Every port on the lake must and will have rail
road connection with the interior. The necessi-
ties of the country require it, and the country is
abundantly able 10 have it. But a very minute
proportion of the wealth of the country is asked
I to insure the completion of this particular work,
and we feel an inward confidence that when our
friends in the country turn the matter over and
examine it in all its bearings, that the aid requi-
red viii be speedily forthcoming.
10000 Majority.
Some people think the contest this fall will be
close Perhaps ii will, but we shall miss ou1