Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1875-09-04

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER A, 1875.
THE INLAND LAKE IMPROVEMENTS.
Just at the present time the TRIBUNE
that the Improvement of the
navigation of the inland lakes and rivers
Is the most important matter for the
citizens of Cheboygan to labor to attain.
True, the railroad is very important
matter, one to which the TRIBUNE has
time and again called the attention of its
readers, and one which it will at all
times advocate, and about which it will
give the latest intelligence. But at the
present time there seems to be very little
prospect that much, if anything, will be
done at its extension this season. But in
regard to the improvement of our inland
navigation the case is different. This is
something upon which we have to de-
pend upon no outside corporation. 1t is
a matter which is of vital Importance to
Cheboygan and this whole northern
section Of country. 1t is matter that
we are not compelled to watch and wait
for. 1t is something, that if we have the
necessary amount of energy and enter.
prise, that we can go ahead and accomp-
iish, not next year, but this.
For some months the TRIBUNE has been
possessed of information concerning eff
forts which were being made to secure
the completion of this work, which for
various reasons was withheld from the
public. The reasons which prompted
this course arenow no longer binding.
Some time since, Mr.. John Mckay, the
local state road commissioner, conceived
the idea of securing an appropriation of
swamp lands from the state to complete
this work, and with him to conceive the
idea was to act, and since that time he
has been steadily at work getting matters
in shape to secure the appropriation,
when it was deemed the proper time to
apply for it. 1t has been to this end that
this journal has directed its efforts. 1t
would now seem that time had
come when an application for an appro-
priatieH Of lands fer this purpose would
stand fair show of being successful, and
it will not be long before such an appli.
cation will be made. Its success, of
course, will depend somewhat. upon the
interest taken in the project by our citi-
zens- This journal has already spoken
somewhat at length of the advantages
which would accrue, not only to the en-
entire interior which this improvement
would open up for. settlement and i'm
pr0vement, but to Cheboygan itself, so
that it is not necessary to repeat them
here. However, in regard to the advan-
tages, the completion of this work would
be to the large interior, we would say
that the very best farming land in the
state are in the vicinity of these lakes and
rivers, and would, if this project could
be carried to completion, be brought
within very few hours of good home
and foreign market, really nearer and
cheaper than they would be at half the
distance where everything had to be
transported in wagons. Not only is the
land tributary to these lakes most beauti-
fully located, but it is also very superior
land for farming purposes. With this
work completed, there would not be a
more popular or available place in
the state for settlement, and many years
would not elapse before it would be sup
porting large population. This is no
child of the imagination. Already the
country has been seen and appreciated
by many; and even without the advanta-
ges this improvement would give them,
is being settled by those who see the fu-
ture Of the country, but with it the set
Element would be rapid.
Whether the Board Of Control will
grant the aid which will be required or
not, remains to be proved. The swamp
lands were coded to the state by the gov
eminent for inland improvements, and
by the legislature placed in the hands of
the Board Of Control, to be used at their
discretion Tor the opening up of the re-
sources of the country by building roads
and such other work as would come
under that head. The same amount of
money expended in improving this river
and lake navigation, would assist in
developing four times as much country,
per dollar expended, as in building roads
When the whole matter is placed proper
ly before the Board, we have not much
fear of the result. 1t is now in the hands
of those interested in the work, and
everything will be done which would
have any influence in accomplishing the
object. If the Board can see the necessi-
ty of the work as we see it, and grant the
aid without delay, the work could be
nearly if not quite completed this season.
At any rate, it could be made ready for
business as soon as the lakes are open
next year.
~ COOPERATION.
Ever since its inception the TRIBUNE
has constantly labored to disseminate
information regarding the resources of
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