Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-01-19

portion Oh bue utdNy AIclSAo VI OuI own
and the states west of us. 1t is proper
to mention in this connection that the
trustees of the Fox river improvement
have deposited with the state treasurer,
in accordance with the provisions of
chapter 535, laws of 1866, the sum of
$47, 104 SO for the payment of two i'm
provement fund certificates, amounting
to So, 1873. 66, the balance to be paid on
the completion of the work on that
river, as required by law.
The successful completion of either
or all of these great enterprises will
greatly add to the wealth of the entire
Northwest, by decreasing the cost of
transportation ON our products to east
ern and southern mBrkets, and on snch
articles as we may purchase from them
in return. Already the means of trans
portation are scarcely adequate to the
cheap transfer of the immnnse amounts
of grain and lumber which yearly pass
over the face of this State seeking mar
kets, aud this inadequacy is constantly
increasing. The utility of any inn
provement which viii lessen it must be
obvious to all.
Important as the works are to the
states directly interested, they are OF
paramount importance to the nation at
large. 1t is absolutely essential to the
sefety OF the country that there
should be one or more naval highways
suitable for gunboat navigation, be-
tween the Mississippi and the Lakes,
and their Importance should not be
underestimated upon the ground that
there is no prospect OF such defense
being required. 1t may yet be, and
it is the part of wIsdo", not onl y to
meet the exigeucies of the present, but
also to provide for the emergencies of
the future. The past should have
taught us the force of the maxim, I'm
peace prepare for war"
[ recommend that Won, by memo
rial. ask Congress to aid these under
takiDgs.
/ also commend to your favorable
notice the project of constructing a
ship canal around the Falls of Niagara.
ANY scheme which will materially aid
in securing cheap transportation to the
people OF the Northwest, should greatly
interest as and be encouraged.
CORPORATIONS.
The strife which for years past has
existed between portion of our peo-
pie and various corporations of the
state has, regret to say, in nowise
abated. Complaints of injustice and
oppression on the part of railroad COM
panies are still heard. A portion of our
people are still complaining that unjust
determinations are made by these cor
porations, and demanding the aid OF
Legislative enactment to reduce the tar
ifs of freight TO more equitable STAN
dard The companies, on the other
hand still earnestly assert that their
charges are Just and equitable.
That there is wrong somewhere
seems probable. That either party is
ABSOLUTELY sight or wrong,i is by no means
certain. To arrive at the exact merits
of the controversy, an extended and
critical examination of facts and figures
is required, which no Legislature in this
state has yet provided for. This strife
is in every way hostileto the interest of
all concerned. II increases the distrust
with which the people always look upon
corporations, and thereby diminisht S
their success and impairs their useful
ness. 1t consumes the time of each
legislature in useless and never ending
disputes. It repells the investment of
railroad capital within our borders. 1t
is productive only of bad results, and
should be stopped immediate ly. If the
railroad companies are in the wrong,
either in whole or in part, the fact
should be ascertained, and the wrong
corrected by proper legislation. The
people have for years past demanded
investigation, and the corporations in
vite the same, asserting that honest,
impartial investigation is what they
want, and that they will abide by its
award.
Past legislatures have, either from
want of time or facilities for obtaining
the requisite information, failed to ar
rive at any satisfactory conclusion on
the subject Each succeeding legisla-
ture, therefore, finds itself just where
its predecessor commenced, and before
definite action can be had, the day of
adjournment arrives, and the strife is
continued another year. j know of no
better plan for procuring the data nee
essary to intelligent action, than by
the appointment of committee from
your body, or by the appointment of
commission, to investigate thoroughly
and carefully the whole question, and
to submit the result of such investiga-
ton to this or a succeeding legislature.
This investigation is due to tie cor
porations, for while il is Your duty to
compel on their part strict observ-
ance of the restrictions which the state
has placed upon them, it is none the
less your duty to protect them in the
exercise of all their legitimate fran
chises. 1t is especially due to the peo-
pie, and it is your peculiar province, as
their chosen guardians, to stand be-
tween them aud injustice and oppres
sion, from whatever source they may
come, and / am confident that you will
discharge this duty without fear or
favor.
The subject is important and replete
with difficulties. and should command
your early, earnest attention, that ex-
act justice may be done.
IMMIGRATION.
Now that the war has been brought
to a successful issue, and among all
classes throughout Europe confidence
in the performance OF our free institu-.
tions has been fully restored, the tide
OF emigration from the old world reach
es our shores in constantly increasing
volume. Almost without exception
these people bring with them habits of
honest industry; most of them bring
moderate amounts of capital, many are
skilled in the mechanic arts, and all are
moved bya strong desire to better their
and to secure for themselves
homes and comfortable surroundings.