Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1869-01-19

continue their laO0rS Inc present
year.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
A complete survey of the Wiscon-
sin river by the United States engi-
neer department, under the immedi-
ate charge of Major General G. h.
| Warren, has shown that its channel
can be so improved, at moderate
expense as to furnish unimpeded nav
igation TO boats Of sufficient tonnage
to meet the demands of commerce.
That tho improvement should be
completed at as early day as prac~
| ticable does not admit ola doubt. 1t
is work which is clearly national
in its character, reaching out to, and
affecting the commercial interests OF
many States, binding together by a
navigable channel the Mississippi
river and the great lakes, and fur
nishing the much needed naval high
way which will connect nearly ali
The navigable waters of the Union.
This enterprise has received the ser,
ious attention OF the authorities and
people Of many States for several
years, and it now seems certain that
the Federal government viii enter
in earnest upon the work and COM
pIete it. | shall have occasion to
communicate with you farther upon
this important subject.
again recommend that you give
your Influence IN aid of the immedi-
ate construction Of the Northern Pa
citic Railroad. The necessity fol
this road is apparent without 2rgu-
ment.
Seventy miles Of the military road
from Fort Howard TO the Michigan
State line have been completed, and
accepted by the State.
No further steps have been taken,
during the past year, relative 10 the
proposed Improvement of Rock riv-
er. regard this as an enterprise OF
immense importance to the State
and, as such, command it to your IA
vOrable attention.
The prospect of greatly increased
railroad facilities within the State is
certainly gratifying. Several roads
are being extended, and new ones
projected, with every reasonable as
surance of completion. The extern
sion of the lines from Sun Prairie to
Madison, from Sheboygan to Fond
du Lac, from alamine to Plattevii,o
from Omro to Winnecenne, will ado
much TO the convenience oftrade anC
travel Recently the first division OF
the West Wisconsin railway has beer
opened from Tomah to Black River
Falls Thisis most important road
and it's progress will be watched with
! great interest By all who are pleased
to see the products Of the vast anc
fertile northwest afforded greater
facilities for reaching eastern mar
kets. A rapid increase in wealth anC
population of the counties through
which it passes will follow It's com
pletion.
There are now nearly 100 mile
ofrailroad operated within this State
the gross receipts Of which, last year
amounted to 1881, SO 60, as shown
by their reports.
The lands granted by Congress il
, 1856 to aid in the construction of
t railroad from Hudson to Lake Su
perior were by the state granted Il
/ the st. Croix 4 Lake Superior Rail
$ road Company, which corporation
, has not completed the read, nor any
, part of it The settlement Of th,
{ counties in which the lands thu
granted are located has been gre tly
retarded by reason of their with
drawl from market. In fact th,
grant has thus far been positive in
: jury to the state. The interests 0
the northwestern T rtion utthe STATE
, demand that this road should be con
structed at the earliest day possible
i The time limited by the act Of Con
gross for lis construction expires mex
May, aud the lands granted will ther
revert to the United States, there
fore recommend that you ask Con
gless TO extend the time, and tina
: you take euch action as will eflectu-
ally guard against further delay, anC
will bring tn lands Included in Nh,
grant Immediately into market, 10
sale 10 actual settlers am unoffi
claiiy informed that responsible par
ties are ready to give ample securit,
to the state, that the work shall b.
vigorously pushed. 1t is due 10 tn
people that you insist upon sucI
terms and security as will place tn
early completion OF this road beyoat
doubt.
STATE CAPITOL.