The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-01-22

men" who are clamoring for power
and for the control of the government
through the Democratic party!
THE NARkoWGAUGE.
The Martin County Sentinel says:
The Worthington ADVANCE has got
the narrow-gauge railroad fever If
pluck and perseverance will build a
railroad the ADVANCE will have an
other one in Worthington in short
order.
We cannot say we have any re-
grets that the fever is contagious and
that We have spread 1t around over
considerable extent Of country
When the people come to appreciate
the advantages of narrow-gauge rail-
roads, and the ease and cheapness
with which they can be constructed,
especially in prairie regions like our
own, they will set vigorously to work
building them in all directions.
AS bearing upon this subject, we
give below an extract FROM report
made by Committee to the State
Grange of Iowa upon the Desmoines
and Minnesota narrow-gauge road:
The cost Of the road complete, with
rolling stock included, is about 81, 900
per mile. 1t is now doing business
sufficient to pay expenses, invest a
large amount OF its earnings in put
ting up water tanks, building round
house, side-tracks and switches, and
at the same time keep it's bonds at
par by satisfying the interest thereon.
The principal advantage of the mar
'row over the broad gauge is in the
*cost Of construction. 1t can be built
md equipped at just about one-half
the'oost, and is sufficient to do the
business anywhere, unless it be where
through trunk line is required. We
would recommend that support and
encouragement be given to the mar
.row-gauge enterprise wherever rail-
roads are needed in our State. Many
tparts Of the State are embarrassed
and suffering for the want Of railroad
facilities, which, with proper encour-
~agement and energy, could without
great difficulty build roads Of this
class; and they will answer every
purpose Of the heavier and more cost
ly roads.
These figures look incredible. That
a road can be built and stocked for
$1,000 mile seems wonderful, but
there is no room to doubt that it can
be done in level prairie country
If the Desmoines and Minnesota road
could be built, as far as it is compile
ted, for this sum, the proposed mar
row-gauge from Worthington to Fort
Dodge can be built, we think, for less
money. The route is almost an air.
line over level expanse of country,
with no streams Of any consequence
to cross, and no serious inequalities
to overcome.
AS to the rest Of this report, it
agrees SO entirely with facts and opin-
ions we have heretofore published con-
corning other narrow-gauge roads, and
concerning the advantages to new re-
gions Of country, that we need not
comment upon it.
1t has been thought by some that
our agitation Of the narrow-gaugc sub
ject is 'premature, in view ofthe grass
hopper and the money depression,
but we fail to see the force Of the sag.
gestion. Railroad projects are now
being vigorously pushed elsewhere,
and even here, in the grasshopper re.
gion, one or two schemes are taking
practical shape.
A meeting was held at Rock Rap.
ids, Lyon county, Iowa, on the 5th
inst, to consider the propriety OF
building a narrow-gauge road from
Fort Dodge to Sioux Falls, by way
Of Sibley. We also find in the Sibley
Gazette the following call for a rail
road meeting to consider the same
project:
Notice is hereby given that on
Tuesday evening, Jan. 26th, a meet
ing will. be held at the Court House
at this place, for the purpose of con
sidering matters connected with s
Narrow-Gange Railroad, in prospect
from Fort Dodge to Sioux Falls b,
the way Of Sioux Rapids; Spencer
Sibley, and Rock Rapids. A general
invitation is extended to all who ma,
be interested in the project, and espe
z oially those Of Clay and Lyon coun
ties together with the citizens of Sious
Rapids: MANY CITIZENS.
.:.z# All of which shows that the AID
VANCE was neither premature nor i'll
idsised il agitatiug the subject Of ,
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