Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1874-08-13

production. Where such Is the case,
when the State finds the producer
makes but ten per cent, while the
carrier makes fifteen 0: twenty per
cent, it is very easy and perfectly leg
itimate for it TO say to the company;
"The work you do can be doue for
less money; we will pay you for your
road what it W II cost 20 build such
another, or you may keep your road
and we will build another" So the
people are not helpless against exorbl-
tant charges.
On the contrary, If the people set
the price, and set it too low, the con
sequences may be graver. The COM
pany has no option. 1t must accept
the price named or not run. 1t the
rates named will afford slight re-
turn on the capital existing compa-
MES may continue TO run, but no
more capital viii encounter like risks
If the rates will yield no return, the
road can not be run Company and
community, in that case, are alike
ruined. This expedient seems to De
too hazardous to adopt, if better
can be found
Another expedient is to build
double track railway between the
Mississippi and the Atlantic over
which ANY party may run trains, and
all trains to run with the same rate
Of speed, This is worthy of careful
consideration.
The practicability of relief through
governmental action is being ascer-
tanned By an able commission consti-
tuted by recent act of Congress.
A third oxpedient, and the most
important of all, is that proposed by
the Senate Committee on "Transpor-
| tation Routes to the Seaboard." "
That proposes to open or enlarge sew
eral different water channels between
the Mississippi and the Atlantic. W.
invite your earnest and careful con-
sideraton Of that proposal 1t is as
serted that By an expenditure OF
twenty millions per year for six or
seven years new channels may be O.
pened which will lessen the cost Of
transporting the grain product Of the
Mississippi valley alone in the sum Of
$42, 100000 annually. The figures
are startling, but far from improbable
The expenditure proposed seems
large but compared with the resources
of the peoploit is trifing. Thewealth
Of the nation is not less than thirty
thousand millions. He who has an
estate of thirty thousand dollars can
not be distressed by paying twenty
dollars year for six years. Besides,
nation which has spent three thou
sand millions of treasure and an o.
cean of life for peace will not hesitate
to spend $3.50, 600, 900 for prosperity.
But whatever may or may be not
expedient to be done, this much
seems certain: If the National Gov
eminent Is to do anything whatever
to cheaper transportation. only the
| Republican party can be relied upon
10 do it. The Democratic party has
forsworn all such labors. Long ago
they determined the Constitution
would not permit tne government 10
remove an obstruction from harbor
or river 1t is vain to suppose
they will find now authority to build
| canals or construct railways. But
we arc not lelt in doubt as to their
present dispositions. Two votes CIV
en- during the past session, one in the
Senate on Mr.. WINDOWS amendment
to the river and harbor bill, and one
in the House on Mr.. McCrary's rail-
way bill, will prove, beyond all doubt
that the Democrats. like the Bour-
bons, have learned nothing good
even if they have forgot anything bad.
Upon all these consideration, for
all those reasons. we think you
should send Republicans and not
Democrats to the next Congress. Ii
you cherish the deeds of the recent
past, and would not see them undone;
if you respect the present, aud would
not disgrace it; or if you have hope
OF the future, and wonll realize that
hope, we urge you to send Repub-
lcans, and not Democrats to the next
Congress-.