Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1875-04-23
TEE NORTHERN PACIFIC
ARD SUBSIDY.
From the Helena Independent. ]

IEcn. U. w. CaSs, PRESIDENT Oh INC NoTLn
ern Pacific Railroad, to Gov. 3. T. Potts
which letter the Governor sent to gen
'leman in this city with permission topub
'lish it, il he thought advisable. Anything
pertaining to railroad matters IS of more
than common interest to our people at this
tine and we gladly give it a ra!ce in oul
columns, as well as the Tribune report CT
the meeting Of the bondholdcrs Of the
Northern Pacific Railroad Company, re-
Gently held. and 10 which Gen. Cass al
luGes in his letter. 1t is gratifying &c
know that as able and experienced rail
road builder as Gen. Cass regards the
completion Of this gigantic enterprise
without further aid from Congress as moi
only possible, but extremely probable, and
that Notwithstanding the disasters which
have overtaken lis company, he is able 70
take so hopeful a view of the situation.
The action taken by the bondholdcrs'
meeting is encouraging, and Will in some
measure restore public confidence in the
ultimate completion of the undertaking.
By this letter il will be stem that the
Northern Pacific is unequiyocally in the
field as candidate for any material aid
which the people OF. this Territory may
feel able to extend 10 railroad enterprises
We are not the champion OF the Northern
Pacific. nor do we wish to disparage any
~ G .lo x,,.;nr, r,;iro,I cobap,ac 1yh,ch owe
now engaging public attention, but We
desire above all things the speedy compile
ton Of some road which will connect US
with the railroad system of the States, and
which will furnish us with direct and
cheap outlet for our rich ores and other
productions II the Northern Pacific can
give us any assurance Of the completion
of its road 10 tie settled portions Of the
Territory within any reasonable time. we
feel as if it were the duty of the Territory
to bestow upon that enterprise whatever
we may have to give in the way Of subsidy
to railroads. It would afford US urdenia
bly, the shortest and cheapest route East
having but one mountain range to cross tc
tap the principal settlements of the Terri
tory, it offers us the srrest winter outlet,
and it opens up to settlement and civiliza
ton the Eastern half of Montana. From
the eastern line of The Territory to any
point where the road would first strike oul
present settlements there would be mo-
less than four hundred miles of the com
pany's road bed lying within our Territory
the taxes upon which would materially
lessen the burden which our people roN
seem willing to take upon their shoulder
10 secure this much needed improvement
The tax upon the ccmpany's road bed an(
rolling stock would, however, be a mer
drop in the bucket in comparison with tn
revenue the Territory would derive from
the settlements in tie numerous rich val
leys with which the eastern portion of tn
Territory abounds. The settlement of tn
Yellowstone valley and Its tributarie
alone would be worth more TO Montan,
Territory than double the subsidy that tn
most liberal and public spirited of our Gil
lzens now dream of giving to any railroa,
enterprise. The road completed to th
settled portions of the Territory, the con-
lpany itself would become tax payer o.
more than five million acres of land, t
which they would be entitled under til
terms of their land grant. A subsidy o
three millions. yes, Of five millions Of do
lars, given to the Northern Pacific woul
be less burthen to the tax payers Of thi
Territory than would one million given I
any other railroad scheme we have hear
mentioned. If the bondholders and D
rectors Of the Northern Pacific Railroad
many of whom arc men of nnquestionc
responsibility, will give US any sufficien
guarantee that for any sum within ou
means they will complete their road in
reasonable time 10 the settled portions 9
our Territory, it would be the hight 9
folly not to accept the proposition. or
vote one dollar to any other entcrprii
while there was . chance of obtainin
this.