The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-12-28
Railroads.&c. The Obstacles i'm the Way
Of their Construction.

Ass~AAA
Of their Construction.
Editors Pioneer and Democrat:
The perusal of the Railroad articles in
the papers of Minnesota would induce a
stranger to conclude that there are no real
friends OF internal improvements in the
State. Their tone is so often in opposition
to proposed measures to invite capital that
it is not strange we have been unsuccessful.
Do the citizens of this State btlieye that
the first piece of railway constructed, will
forever prevent the construction of an addi-
tional mile? If so, it is of vital Importance
to every man that be secure "the first piece"
The above question is answered in the af-
firmative by almost every commentator on
proposition. rf.'
One PROPOSES to construct a central road
from the south to the centre of the State
The press and the takers" are down on
"the monopoly There is no such thing
in the United States as railroad monopoly.
1t is nowhere to be found. No sooner than
an attempt has been made by single line
to over tax the industrial products than a
competing line is constructed. Five years
ago there were less than 1000 miles of rail-
road connecting the Mississippi and Lakes
now there are 5000 miles. In 1886, the
railroad system of Michigan began with
thirty miles into the State from town in
Ohio. In less than two years, in hard times,
over one hundred miles were completed from
Detroit into the State, and in five years
more, spiders web was map of the rail.
roads in Michigan.
Another proposes to make certain out
standing bonds subserve the building of rail-
roads. The press is out upon every attempt
to build railroad that does not traverse
certain localities. The State of New York
loaned the N. Y. & Erie r. R. Co. millions
OF her bona fde bonds and in the end gaUe
them. A statesman of that commonwealth
said "instead of the n. Y. & Erie r. R.
Co. having cheated the State, we cheated
the company" because "a one half mill tax
upon the enhanced valuation of property,
in the counties traversed by that road,
would pay the amount, principal and inter-
est, in ten years. the State 'eDjOys
the increase forever after"
Another proposes to construct railroad
from the Mississippi river 10 Lake Superior.
And we are told it is premature. Every
road built liz the State before that s'is pre-
mature" ior without that we would be pat.
ronizlng the monopolizing companies of H.
linois and Wisconsin, without the power
to make terms OF pro rata dividend on
freights. Those roads would require two
hundred or two hundred and fifty parts of
our freig hts-when the Lake Superior road
could claim but one hundred and fifty parts.
So, whether our roads should traffic with
the Superior or Wisconsin road, we would
prOrate as with the shorter line. Moreover,
the Lake Superior road being forty or fifty
miles shorter than the Wisconsin, we could
move our grain for less, and whether we
sent it this or that way. the farmer would
get the benefit of the premature" complies
ton.
Another contemplates the early compile
ton of line of road provided the Legsla-
ture remove the States lien for contingent
liabilities. Personalities are INDUCED in
both towards a citizen and capitalist of
another State who make the proposition.
Capitalists shrink from any enterprise of a
public character which does not meet with
public commentator. They most certainly
will, when they are maligned or their abil-
ty called in question Suppose the last
named, be the only one inaugurated by the
incoming misunderstanding to the his
tory of railway extension in other States
it would not be twelvemonth before all
the others would be progressing. The
especial and exclusive advocate of any one
particular line of road, or any one, however
partial, cannot do any act that will more
certainly subserve his object, than to openly,
privately, and at all times, without mental
reservation, encourage every and all at
tempts to induce capitalists to construct
"the first piece" of railway in Minnesota,
no matter where.
Until the tone Of the press and the talk OF
the takers are radically changed from con-
slant opposition to consistent encourage
ment of internal improvements, without
regard to localities, we cannot expect the
construction of a mile of railroad in our
State.
We have not the capital. 1t must be
obtained from abroad. Let the capitalist
select his own ground, make choice OF his
own favorite schene--nOt one of the above
leading ones conflicts with another, so far
as to excite any real ground of opposition.
Not one OF them, however local or exclusive,
will result in Ultimate injury when compared
to the benefit to be derived.