Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1873-06-20
SHALL WE SUBSCRIBE TO a
RAIL ROAD1
Mr.. Eakor

RAIL R0AD1
>eS-
Mr.. Edkor.
have not yet entered the temple of my
theme" Hitherto have confined myself to
the direct consequences Of the proposed rail-
road tax, upon our immediate locality; |
have not dwelt upon its effects upon the five
counties yictiInized BY this pet scheme OF the
extra session have not mentioned that gi-
gantic corporation Of the century, the North
ern Pacific Railroad Company, whose land
grant spans the continent with belt from
forty to eighty miles in width, nor the results
81 that mighty enterprise upon the prosperl-
tv Of our infant Territory. A hundred rea-
sons good and strong remain to be told
against this mpolltic, suicidal subsidy mea-
sure, when suddenly, the wires whisper that
the bubble has collapsed. The commission
ers have indeed met at Helena, bur, in the
classic language Of the dispatch received
!" Railroad Bnsted"-our public spirited
friends, the subsidy men, read the ruin of
| their hopes. This result might reasonably
have been expected; whatever tendency our
| legislators had to make haste to be rich, y
our commissioners. more fresh from the peo-
pie; perhaps more candid and more deliberate
| in the consideration OF the question, may
very wisely have concluded to make haste
| slowly"
/ If the news is true, and most sincerely
hope it is, my task is much shortened.
4 The five counties named in the bill we have
been considering, are now indebted, proba-
bly,, $300, 900. Should subsidy be voted. in
accordance with the bill, taking into eonsid-
Grafton the expected increase of the amount
and value Of property, upon the event of the
completion of the N. & S. road, the taxation
upon these counties cannot amount to much
ltss than three millions OF dollars.
Now, let us consider, that the land grant OF
the Northern Pacific is now located In these
/ counties, or at least, in four of them, Madi-
son, Gallatin. Jefferson and Msagher A pri-
i mary object of this company is to sell its
lands. which checker our settlements aud are
| affected BY our interests, prosperity and mis-
/ fortunes; the tendency of this heavy taxation
is, of course, to retard settlement and emf
grafton, and necessarily to render the lands
OF the Company dull sale. and as conse-
quence bring about that result so confidently
predicted by tho subsidy men; namely, the
| location Of the Northern Pacific at least 100
miles to the north of us.
If such should be the result, it would be
water on HcIena's wheel. The North and
South road, by its taxation, would paralyze
| these counties, and by its means Helena
| would absorb the trade and wealth Of the
Territory, while by extending her tranway
forty miles northWard, she could communi-
| cate with tile Northern Pacific; while, should
the North and South road not be subsidized,
and the Northern Pacific be built through
| these counties, passing, say Gallatin City,
the lands Of the H. p. would be speedily set
tied; the dormant energies OF these valleys
would be reused into action. liseE giant wax
ing from refreshing sleep. and in that case
Helena would have to build somewhat
longer line to tap the great artery of trade
and travel, but the labors, the burdens and
the advantages of our settlements would be
equalized. s.a 4
We are cited to Colorado as an example of
prosperity caused by. railroads; let US re-
member and profit by herexample; Govern
ment first gave land and money subsidy to
build them an ontiet-the Kansas Pacific:
they then built their trann.,w,saays communicate
with this grea thoroughfare and, after
ocation, knew where to build them. So,
1 the Northern Pacific shall be in opera
While it cannot worm its way to all our
nd camps, and settlements, We can
r short lines into it, and locate them
tly. alaE
lille, if there are men among us, or
who belieye that the N. & S. road
e bult-if they are willing. as II
say, TO give halt their property
lstruction;if they have faith in it as
enterprise, let them by all means
ct them subscribe literally to the
he company now organized, or
after organized" and as their re-
i've the profits and semoltiments
pea necessity for the people, tie
4 patronze it to the exclusive pro-
owners.
Northern Pacific needs no advocacy
tumble pen. Very shortly, COM
heir board of directors will visit
X TO us fuee to face. am credibly
hey are now on the way. The dark
shading our prospects will very
hope, reveal its silver lining, and
our subsidy friends in their disap-i
{. And we.of the mountains, who
lred its privations, borne its disap-
is, combatted its uncertainties, and
is hardy region learned ITO labor -
fail to learn the patient, passive
y important lesson, s'to watt
j. J. DAVIS.
Lab8f Va. Capital.