Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1875-09-11

FUN OetIOl6 fOSc.
Unfortunately q doubt is expressed
whether certain parties who have been
negotiating with q view to making con-
tract for building the proposed Mackinaw
and Marquette Railroad, on the condi-
lions attached to the state grant Of lands.
will succeed in Offering the state salts
| factory contract within the time allowed.
As some Of that time yet remains, how
ever, 1t is to be hoped, and it may still
be considered probable, perhaps, that a
satisfactory proposition will be made.
This is to be hoped, because 1t Is impor-
tant for the best interests of the state,
and Of this city also, that a contract be
made and the work be begun immediate
ly. TO the state the matter is Of very
serious Importance. To the Lower Pen
insula it is more important than to the
Upper Peninsula. The Upper Peninsula
already has a railroad outlet; we may
fairly say sufficient one for its pressing
necessities, though not enough for its
full developement or for its highest con-
venience. But that outlet leads all the
trade ofthe Upper Peninsula to Wiscon-
sin and Illinois, to Milwaukee and Chi
cago, and away from Michigan. There
fore that outlet is a constant loss to the
Lower Peninsula. Therefore the Lower
Peninsula needs the early completion OF
the proposed Mackinaw and Marquette
Road, in order to save itself the now di-
verified commerce of the northern half OF
the state; and also in order to bind the
two halves Of the state together political
ly, as well as commercially. AS mat
ter of state policy, the question of this
railroad is at present the most important
and vital question of Michigan politics.
1t Is question touching the continued
unity of the state, as well as the develop
ment of the richest half Of the state by
natural endowment.
Of the final building of this road there
is no doubt. The land grant is of unde-
niably great value prospectiyely, that is,
the moment the road is built so as to
bring the lands within reach and use.
Without the road the lands are not val
liable, being out of reach. With 1t they
will have large and immediate value.
Much of the lands are heavily timbered
with timber that will be marketable at
cash prices the moment the road is
opened. For every scrap of timber so
situated that it can be converted into
charcoal, for making charcoal iron, or be
used for props for mining, has cash
market ready and waiting for it in the
mining regions. The opening of this
road will instantly stimulate revival of
the great charcoal iron interest of the
Upper Peninsula. 1t will, doubtless,
cause the speedy construction of blast
furnaces, as well as of charcoal pits, all
along its line and down some distance in
the Lower Peninsula. Besides, it will
open TO the farmers of the Lower PENN
sula new, large, profitable and reliable
market for their surplus produce.
The road, when built, is, therefore, one
of considerable Immediate traffic, and
one whose growth will certainly not only
be rapid, but enduring. 1t will be
m ore than century before the mines of
the Upper Peninsul are developed to their
full extent-a century Of extraordinary
growth, too. Therefore this road can
count upon sure, steady, rapid, and per-
manent increase of traffic. Whether its
opening traffic will pay, if opened while
the mineral interests is suffering from its
its present depression, appears to be the
question which causes the present hesita-
ton among capitalists. Yet, to insure
possession of a rich and prosperous flu
ture, it is necessary to take the field be-
fore any rival gets possession; and the
land grant is itself so valuable, when
opened to market as to guaranty any
company against loss, even if the depres-
sion should continue long time, as it
will not. We have right to hope, then,
that, if capitalists will take the trouble
to carefully examine the land grants. and
the prospects Of the proposed line, they
will be so convinced of the advantages
Of the investment as to hesitate no
longer.