St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-09-20

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Mt. Injunction's land, and until our CON-
ductor ! could dodge the sheriff and; Get
aboard the train. He had alre ady been
arrested several times, given bail and been
discharged; and the road master vas or,
rested that evening 'z-@ss~ ss$@a@
AS the case was stated to us, the trouble
was all about the right Of way across a
sand bank in country that appeared to
be all sand banks The Railroad Com
pany had used two acres of land belonging
to Mr.. Davis, for. which he claimed 81 500.
From what we could see in tie deep twi-
light the land appeared to be worth from
one to two dollars per acre if no rail road
had been made through it, and from ten
to fifteen dollars as it now stands. Sup
posing Mr.. Davis owned one hundred
acres We should judge that he owes the
Company from seven hundred to twelve
hundred dollars, minus two or four dollars
for the land used. We make this estimate
without any knowledge Of the particulars
Of this case but founded upon all our pre-
vious knowledge Of Railroads right Of
way.
In Pennsylvania we knew man who
had several hundred acres Of land which
he valued at from sixty to one hundred
dollars per acre. A railroad was surveyed
through it, ana Immediately he estimated
it at from four to five hundred dollars per
acre. There was no doubt on any mind
but that the making Of the road would
quadruple the value of every acre Of land
he had, yet he fought the Company for
years claiming thousands Of dollars DANA
ges. According to Government estimates,
the making Of railroad doubles the value
Of: the land the whole length of tho road,
six miles on each side, and by what rule
of Justice and common sense is company
required to add thus to any mans wealth,
and then to pay him for the privilege p
We hear great deal about private rights
the rights Of private individuals; but
there are such things as public rights
the rights Of the people at large. The peo-
pie Of this country claim the right to ride
at the rate Of from twenty. to sixty miles
per hour; and just in proportion as this
right is recognized SO we give up the idea
Of any mans dog-iu-the. manager right to
to obstruct RAILROADS, by imposing un-
just burdens upon the builders. In nine
cases out Of ten all that is paid for right Of
way is an unjust burden, and all such react
from the Company to the travelling pub
lie. In all cases Of damages claimed of a
railroad company sworn, and, if posi-
bic, impartial jury should be required to
take testimony as to the value Of the land
before the road vas surveyed-the addi-
ton to that value in consequence Of making
the road-the amount Of land used, and
injury done, and then strike the balance.
If the road adds to the market value Of tho
land more than the worth of the amount
used and inconvenience, make the claim
ant pay that amount into the stock of the
road. What would our country be with
out railroads; and by what rule of right
are the whole travelling community taxed
to double, triple, and quadruple the value
Of private property and then pay the own
ers for the privilege? 49,
We hope that our Minnesota Legislature
! will see to it that our railroads are not tc
be incun,bered by the absurd claims of
that class Of land sharks who take adyan-
tage of their position to press unjust and
unreasonable demands.
Another thing we noticed that our wes-
tern roads have great trouble with cattle
on the track. The trains around Chicago
check up and whistle the COWS off the track
every five minutes; and the whole line of
the La Crosse & Milwaukee road is fenced
in with COW bitches at every crossing.
! Now, it occurs to us that railroad is
not intended for COW pasture, and that
people should be obliged to keep their cat
tie out Of the way. In Pennsylvania, If a
mans COW or horse gets on the track and
cause any damage he Is liable for the
amount. This is the correct principle
Cattle and hogs should be kept off public
thoroughfares; and the owners have no
more right to permit them to roam in such
places than in their neighbours enclosure.
People who have domestic animals should
have enclosures to keep them in; and they