Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1875-02-18
THE RAILROAD QUESTION.

We alluded briefly, the other day, to the
card of Mr.. P. w. Meadow, printed in re-
cent number of the Bozeman Times, treating
of the railroad subsidy question. We give
space below to the card, with the remark that
the views of Mr. Meadow, in their general
application, are cordially responded to by the
great mass of the people of Montana. The
pressing necessity for railroad is recognized
the Territory over. The fact that our isolated
situation precludes the possibility of getting
that railroad without effort and help from
our own people is now generally conceded.
The differences heretofore existing in some
localities as to the kind and extent of help
required to realize this benefaction are be-
coming harmonzed, and hereafter we shall
see our way clearer toward earnest and united
action in the matter. Read what MIR. Nc
AdOw has to say:
To the Editor of the Bozeman Times.
In response to your note asking my ideas
on railroad subsidy, will say, that am glad
to see the press waking up. From articles
published in the last two numbers Of the
Courier, I think they have about given up the
The collapse of the Northern Pacific Railroad
bill makes the future look dark and gloomy.
Old fogies, who have been drifting along
with the current, and hanging their hopes on
the representations of Yankee Company
that has neither brains or money, are begin
ming to see starvation staring them in the
face, and are coming to the conclusion to let
Western men take hold of this enterprise. If
the people had shown willingness, we might
to-day be in communication with the civilized
world by rail, and enjoying the fruits of
prosperity. 1t is useless for me to speak of
the resources of MISUNDERSTANDING men
have demonstrated the fact that we have un-
told wealth in mines, and the capabilities of
her producing and pasturing land are plain to
be seen by any one. A rich and populOus
State can be made of this mountain country,
and if the people will put their shoulder to
brought about in few years. You ask me
what route, or routes, am in favor Of. If
possible let us open the front door. The line
of the North Pacific enters the Territory on
the 1O4 parallel, about 130 miles from Bis
marck; from thence to Deer Lodge City it is
about 500 miles on an air line. We will say
that the deviation from straight course will
add 100 more, making 600 miles east and
west, directly through the heart of the Terri
tory. BY this route we develop Montana,
and every dollar invested will prove direct
benefit to US. Railroad men say that So, 600
per mile will grade and bridge three-foot
road-at that rate it would require $3, ,000, 900.
The iron and rolling stock can be easily OBJ
tanned by mortgage of the road-bed. Now,
can we afford to take this amount in rail
road? Let us see what our resources are.
The present assessed valuation of Montana is
about $40, 900, 000-say the road is built in
three years-no one doubts that the increase
in valuation will amount to three times as
much-$30, 000 900. What then would be the
levy necessary to pay the interest on the
bonds at six per cent. per annum? Say we
have 600 miles Of railroad-$8, 600 per mile
would be a reasonable valuation. The taxes
due the counties through which the road
W lid pass would be-, say, twenty mills on
tn dollar, which would amount to 500, 900.
The Legislature can make a special fund of
this and apply it on the bonds. Then we
would have $104, 900 more to pay, which
would amount to fraction over three mills
on the dollar But some of our bachelor
friends will say that we do not wish to be-
queath this debt to our chldren-then make
It six mills, and at the end of each year have
the Territorial Treasurer purchase $4,000
of the bonds, thereby decreasing the princi-
pal, and at the end of thirty years both inter-
est and principal would be cancelled.
P.w. MEADOW.