Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1867-01-15
County Taxation for Building Railroads.

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County Taxation for Building Railroads
Hon. G. *. Dean. Of Boscobel, pub.
fishes in the APpeal lengthy article
opposing comfy taxation for the
building of railroads, in which he Sc
verely denounces the men and mats
ter of the Affirmative, but ventures
10 argument either for or against
lie also assumes the existence in the
county OF an organization to procure
from the legislature an act enabling
the people to vote upon the subject,
and seems to think there is danger OF
such a tax being forced upon the PEG
pie. He says ID is understood ma
ority Of the delegation in the legis-
lature from this county favor such
means as county taxation for build
ing railroads, and complains that sell
fishness is at the bottom of the pro
jet which he Processes to fear may
come to living head.
Inasmuch as the entire matter of
raising money by county taxation
for assisting in the building of one or
more railroads through the county
mi eeino al ,vit h ne No Cpn bo;n,. .,,,o,,
consulted and also inaSmuch as the
only one now or at any time known
to rs as even partly favoring our views
is Hon. w. w. Field, we take it that
we should reply, at least to any mis-
representations by responsible per-
sons.
Now, we say positively that, no
such combination exists as Mr.. Dean
reports or fears that in all probable
ity nothing of the kind has been
thought Of that not even one of the
Assembly delegation from the coun..
ty ever thought OF the like or is
known to favor it ; and finally, that
there is no intent to force such tax
upon the people, nor power to do so
If the will existed, unless majority
so will.
And we hazard one further say at
the risk of being called incredulous at
times, that Mr.. Dean feels not the
least fear Of being forced by any
means 70 pay any such railroad tax.
Mr. Dean possesses the Intelligence
which must have convicted him of q
want OF sincerity in writing most of
the several propositions and charges
which he makes. And were any other
than himself to prepare for the press
such mass fclap-trap, he could not
otherwise than treat it as demagogue-
ism not the least tempered with sin
certify.
As to the matter at issue, we af
firmed few plain propositions which
we feebly defended and then asked
for a discussion thereupon. We az
frmed as follows
Railroads and bridges being con-
sidercd fit to be made and supported
in part at the county charge, why
not aid in like manner in part for
building railroads ?
If railroads contribute to the pub
lie and private wealth and welfare,
why not tax the purse of all thereby
benefited for the building of such
roads
We l2ight have explained and am
vliftn6 itnop n rayyarca nrOroo;tiop
like this
Any part of the people OF county,
by reason of having already a supply
of market facilities, and being not in
want Of a railroad, should not be
taxed therefor.
But we did not suppose there would
be any one SO blunt minded as to re-
quire an explanation explanatory OF
something . dozen miles outside OF
danger.
Many years ago some Of the peo-
pie Of the north part Of Grant Coun-
ty taxed themselves severely in bond
ed mortgages for a railroad which
should greatly enrich all alike, includ
ing Mr.. Dean. Now we Just hold
that all who did not mortgage THEN
far ms for the railroad should have
/ been wrung into it by taxation tleig
4 proportion Of the sum then needed
to insure the railroad coming through
and raising the value Of their proper
+ ty several hundred per cent. Mr.
/ Field was one whose farm mortgage
aid went to build that road and en-
rich those who paid not a farthing,
including Mr.. Dean. Now Mr.. Field
manitcsts willingness to be taxed
again for another road, whilst Mr..
Dean as before would make some
thing out Of another road built by
other mems money, but is the first
to raise a howl against any proposed
method requiring Of him dollar for
that which might enrich 'hims' Il
Mr. Field may be wrong, but his l,b-
eraIty is commendable Mr.. Dean
may be right but bis illiberality is de-
spisablc.
We had hoped for candid discus
sion OF the topics Of our first article,
believing that some day, perhaps in
five or ten years, the people might
call forth our method in part and
adopt it for building one or more
railroads through the county. AS to
+. popularity, or what the people may
think OF our views, we never allow
ourselves to give this any weight.
Next week We shall publish another