Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-03-29
PRESCOTT, RIVER FALLS AND
NORTHERN RAILWAY.

bill has become law. Ii provides the
right to bui i railroad from Prescott,
by way 81 River Falls. to intersect the
West Wisconsin Railway at some point
in the towns Of Hammond or Warren, IN
81. Croix county, thence to ths 81. Crolx
river or Lake Superior by the most fea
sible quite.
Before speaking of i,s merits We wish
TO alIude briefly 10 the opposition which
was ms'le to this measure by the Hud
son lobbyists, while it was on its passage.
By a mistake mads in drawing the bill,
it ONLY provided, when introduced, for
road from Prescott TO the West Wisccn-
sin. Ii was afterwards amended by ad
ding " thence TO ST. Croix river or Lake
Superior by the most feasible route
This amendment met with some opposl.
lion from Mr.. NJ. A. Fulton. Of Hudson,
who was in Madison looking after the
interests of his section. He, at first, in
sisted that If the road was to extend north
of the line of the West Wisconsin. some
point ought TO be fixed as terminus;
that, as this bill now read, it looked as
though il las dodge to sell out Hud
son by allowing the West Wisconsin to
use this charter for the purpose of run
ming 10 Saltwater, while tie arm from
Prescott to the West Wisconsin would
never he built. But Mr.. Powell would
not consent to bind the road 10 any point
on the 81. Croix river OF Lake Superior,
and thereby destroy whatever bene
fit it might derive from northern compe
ting lines. As test of Mr.. P5weil's
sincerity in asking for line of road
from Prescott to the West Wisconsin,
aud as proof that be was in earnest
about building that portion. the follow
ing amendment was Incorporated in the
bill as 81 compromises:
Amend section five by adding 10 said Sec
ton as follows: pro, idci. however. that id
company shall grade and lay down the ties
ready for the iron on that PARTON Of said
| road fromPre>cOtt by the WY of River Falls to
the point of intersection with the W est WIS
consin railway as aforesaid. before any other
part of the road authorized by this act. shall
be built
This amendment satisfied Mr.. Futon.
who Withdrew all opposition, aud the bill
passed both houses under suspension of
the rules.
On the night train n delegation came
down from Hudson TO oppose the BILL
Finding it was already passed they enlist
Ell the services of Dir. Orion. of Dane who
moved a reconsideration. 1t was referred
to special committee consisting of Messrs
Powell, Rood aud Orion, for further
hearing. This new force from Hudson
went squarely back upon the comProm
Use. and made speeches before the com
mittee, chsracterizing it as game TO
turn the West Wisconsin away from
! Hudson and run il TO Saltwater. They
argued long and well, but when it was
represented that Hudson bad already
been made the terminus of The West
Wisconsin,, and that no member in th ,
81. Croix Valley opposed it, it was suf
ficient answer to such proposition. Furih
er, this charter was supported by Messrs.
Vaughn, Fay, Powell and Ives-com
prising the entire representation of the
St. Croix Valley in the Legislature. Mr..
Fay, it is true, desired TO have the nortt,
ern terminus fixed at some point TO sat.
isfy Hudson, but when it became appa
rent that M amendment of that kind
would XVII the bill, he withdrew bis op
position. We do not believe that St.
Croix county. otrtsid" of Hudson, would
have endorsed any opposition to this
charter which, if made. might have res
ulted 10 its defeat. In Justice to the
great majority of his constituents be
could take no other course. Upon bear
ing he question fully discussed, the ma
jority of committee reported in its favor,
and after Rejecting the Hudson amend
meuts by decisive vote. the bill again
passed. The Hudson lobby still pcrsis
ted in their attempts to defeat the meas.
ure, aud forthwith proceeded to the exec
utiye Office to prevail upon Governor
FairchiId 10 veto the bill. But hi. Elk
celency could not see it in a Hudson
light and evidently believing that vlrtuous
city more scared than hurt, signed the
bill "All is well that ends we'll"
This attempt of Hudson lobby tc
prevent the passage OF charter for a
railroad through the ST. Croiy Valley, is
abou. on par with the general railroad
policy. which the little hamlet up the
lake has pursued for the last fifteen years
Divest of it's fallacy and falsehood every
argument used to defeat this bill, and
| We find II reduced 10 one princinle and