The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1875-02-22
RAILROAD TO MONTANA.

On the subject of railroad connection
TIE people of Montana are seriously
in earnest, and desire 10 get out of the
wilderness they are in. That Terrific
~ is filled with the material and
resources to oon make it n wealthy
aud pOpulous State, if its minerals,
cereals and herds of cattle could be
once marketed speedily and cheaply.
Ten years ago flour and bacon were
cheap there at fifty cents a pound;
now they are dear at two. Beef then
was reasonably worth, and hard to
get mt that, twenty-five cents a pound;
now five cents is a good round price.
Times have changed. Montana pro-
duces more beef, flour, grain, pork and
vegetables than it has a market for.
Its supply has become greater than
the demand. Hence the people want
communication with the outer world
by railroad, so they will hc obliged to
pay less freights, and realize more up
on their products. 1t is an old saying
that where there is a will there is n
way. That there is n will among the
people up there for n railroad, we be-
lieve; II we give the following items
CHILLED from the Bozeman Times of the
9th inst. to show that there is a way:
"Shall we not in some way aid per-
sonally the construction of a road
from somewhere u of the Territory
to somewhere in the Territory?
Suppose you leave Montana-whcre
will you go? Will IL not cost as much
to emigrate as to give toward n road ?
And have you not ~claimed-do you
you not claim-that railroad facilities,
even though small, will make MOnta-
ma n mine of wealth? 1t is, then, un-
deniable, that we should prepare our-
selves to advocate, and vote for, some
kind of Territorial assistance to Il road.
We are of the opinion that such aid
would be best expended upon IA road
from Bismarck or Cheyrnne-in the
first place, it would open a connection
settle the Indian queStiOm-in the
second place it would force the con-
structiOu of the Utah Northern
through to Helena, and thus give US
two roads, and, 50 TO speak, at the cost
of Onc.
1t is Il purpose to agitatc this sub
ject, that if possible, public opinion
may become n unit on the subject, and
'AAs'AA q" BANlNA "a commune VI
Meadows letters. In the meantime
let us talk and compare and think"
The Ncto Northwcst says on this
same subject:
Montana, rs Montana, needs rail-
road communication. She is languish-
ing from . plethora of unavailable
wealth. 1t is too good to leave; and
exhaustive to stay with. A twenty
N-nor S1 nSnnnntinn Fra,,, t,~r,ffA, ne, -
pre- MUM to any private corporation
except the Northern Pacific, who will
build before Dec. 31st, 1877, and main
tain in operation thereafter, n railway
from any point on any railroad now
operated, to any point, in any now
organized county of Montana, with
necessary privileges, obligations and
restrictions, would, We think, meet
with the approval of Montana, and
should secure a railroad
The MontdnidR says:
LET all parties unite in the deter
minatiOn to pass a wise and practicable
railroad measure, and the great and
important deed will be done.
We shall not support any railroad
scheme until we are satisfied that eve
rybOdy that is interested is acting in
good faith.
w I uO Ilol OSlltNS llldl any IdllIOAl
company will undertake the work of
building a railroad to Montana from
any point without financial aid.
Bonds of the Territory and counties
must be issued before this generation
will see a locomotive cross our aurifer-
Gus gulchCs. Money is required to
complete successfully such an under
taking, and n promise of exemption
from taxation is not sufficient. A long
line must be constructed to connect
the Territory with any international
route. According to u present means
of knowledge there would be but a
very limited amount of local trade on
any of the proposed railroads i in their
progress to our settled regions, In
ducements like these which have been
mentioned must be offered to capital
lists who are seeking good investments
for their money. We are as anxious
as any citizen to procure railroad COM
munication without subjecting the
Territory to additional taxation, but
are unable to see any other method of
accomplishing this desirable end. AL
though subsidies are distasteful to
many tax payers, they go hand in
hand with western railroads. How
can the people avoid them and gain
the iron track? Every amendment
must he made which will be necessary