Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-05-22
RAILROAD MATTERS,

Meetings for the discussion of the pro-
posed Wisconsin Midland Railroad have
been held at Dodgeville and Mineral
Point the past week. The meeting at
Dodgeviile was well attended, and much
interest was manifested. In this CITY
the turnout was not large, owing to bad
weather and the apathy of the people
Mr. Hamilton was prevented by sickness
from being present, but Mr. Strong gave
very satisfactory explanations Of the
objects, aims and hopes of the company.
he purpose is to build railroad from
the northern part Of the State ria Por-
tage City, Dodgevile, Mineral Point, etc,
to Dubuque it is aimed to secure local
aid to the amount of $1,000 per mile of
the entire road. Approaching that it
~iIl be difficult to secure much aid in
Iowa county, without first disposing Of
the present burden Of debt under xtich
We struggle, it is the hope Of the COM
pany to lie able to procure and offer to
The people $4,000 Of our present coun.
y and town debt, in return for $500, 600
Of aid to the road
Under such an arrangement it will be
seen we should he rid of the larger part
OF the claims now against IS, and at The
same time secure a road through the
county from north to south, by paving
. cents on the dollar The County
bonrd Is committed in favor of compro-
missing the claims against us at 80 cents.
ana also the authorities Of Mineral Point
city and town, without consideration of
any new railroad being constructed, and
PROFESSIONALLY the people are of the
game mind. If hy paying an additional
IS per cent. on $500, 000 of the claims a
road can be secured, we say it is mani
testify t. the interest Of the county TO EN-
brace the opportunity. The County
toard and railroad committee of Mineral
Point are empowered to settle our in
debtcdness on such terms as they NAV
=
deem advantageous TO the people No
one questions that the people are willing
md anxious to pay 80 per cent of the
claims, TO be rid of them, and we believe
that If it becomes understood, and surely
escertalned that by the payment of %
per cent. more railroad will be built,
and mere than one half the claims sim,
u!taneouSiy swept away, the people will
sanction action 10y the board TO that end
II Is admitted on all sides that if an
opportunity should be offered to liquidate
100000 OF the claims against our county
and towns, for 100000, to be paid in
three to tie years, it ought to be em-
hraccd. Then sHrcly, it would be equally
good policy to pay 100000 on the same
terms and secure railroad through the
county.
We expect some people to except TO
our position, but we confidently sub
nat II 10 any thoughtful, unprcjudiced
man as being the true position for any
one who believes a railroad through the
county Is desired and has the interests
OF all sections ut heart Of course this
matter is yet in embryo, and may never
come before the county in tangible shape,
bn' II ever any responsible party cones
before the people with 100000 of the
present claims against us and say Give
us % cents on the dollar of this and we
VIII release it, and at the same time
1aiid railroad from Arena to Mineral
Point, the TRIBUNE will urge an accept
nnce of the offer