Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-06-26
Railroad Aid.

county, q full discussion OF the
question of both sides is the best
course to pursue to the end, that all
may vote understandiugly. With
out doubt all tho people of this town
desire better Communication with
the outside world than we now en-
joy and the question TO DC decided
by our vote should be, shall we ac-
cept this road and pay n fair cons
pensalion therefor? or shall we re-
ject it and allow more enterprising
towns to gradually steal away our
business and consequently our pros
pcrity ?
is this the best proposition that can
be obtained from any Railroad COM
pany? ] believe it is, for tho very
good reason that we can got no 9TH
er. We have courted the officers Of
various Railroad companies for years,
and this is the first and only propo-
sition that has ever been offered ia.
and this one believe to be fair
one on both sides. If we don't ret
the road, we pay but little money,
and if we do got the road we get the
value of our aid by increased facili-
ties for business and the addition Of
value to eur property, The farmers
are TO be benefited by competing
markets and cheap transportation,
for every cent saved ia the transport
tation of stock or grain TO mar
ket is so much additional price to be
paid to tho producer, and every
farmer prefers the pleasure Of hav-
ing a number OF buyers for his pro-
duce to the necessity of accepting
the bid Of one.
AS TO the amount Of tax on each
dollar, it would be about s mills; or
on the assessment Of $1,000 would be
about S8-each year for five years.
No tax would be collected before
December, 1874, and probably not
till December, 1875. When the
amount Of aid voted is paid there
would DO no further claims against
the town. The stock received by
tho town is not liable 10 assessment
for the debts Of the company for
all such debts arc paid by the pro-
perty of the company, which if not
sufficient to pay all claims the com
pany is declared insolvent tho fran
chises pass ont Of their hands and
and the stock becomes worthless
| This point was well understood by
the committee and not considered
of any Importance, as Railroad
stocks are never assessed for debts
of the company.
If The aid which is expected from
several towns Of Grant county is not
given, the road will not be built
but if the aid is gwen believe our
people will have the benefits of Q
Railroad within a reasonable time
1t is the most natural route for road
in the country, easy of construction
and for seventy miles not requiring
a bridge, and running the entire dis.
lance through tho most productive
farms in the State.
The ability Of narrow gauge RAN.
roads TO do the carrying trade of an
agricultural community has been lul.
| ly demonstrated by those roads now
built and in operation. The senti-
ment is gradually prevailing that
tho great question Of cheaper rates
Of freight and travel can best be
solved by the Introduction OF cheap
or roads, And the chcapnoss Of
construction is ono Of the chief char
acteristics Of the narrow gauge sys-
tenn of roads. For some very good
reasons Railroad companies are re.
garjed with suspicion and distrust
by the great majority in farming
communities, but believe the propo.
sition of the Chicago d Tomah com
pany is honestly made, and there is
no trap in it, and when the stock is
paid for it will be like a paid up
note. Nothing more can ever be
demanded or would be paid
j. G.. HOLLOWAY.
T,pa o. 1879