Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1876-02-10

of the railroad bill at the present writing, as
we understand that it has undergone so
many changes since its introduction that it
dence in the wisdom of our legislators, and
do not believe they will pass any measures
that are calculated to injure the country.
We believe that the bill affords a novel way
of avoiding a subsidy. We doubt very much
whether the traffic upon the road, for the
first few years after completion, will be suf-
ficient to pay the interest upon the sum
spoken of, but it is fair to presume it would
double in five years, and in ten years increase
three fold. Thus, if the Territory secure a
lien upon the entire traffic of the road to and
from the Territory for twenty-five years, to
provide for the payment of the interest and
provide a fund to liquidatc the principal
when due, we think it will be amply suffi-
cient. Should it fall short for the first few
years, the overplas for fifteen OF twenty
years will more than repay it. Yes, we pre-
dict that it would be sufficient to pay the
company a handsome profit besides. We
can scarcely realize the change that a rail
road would make in our country. The great
tide of immigration yearly pouring into
Texas and California, would naturally seek
the newest and freshest field. Our product
i've valleys would become densely populated;
our mines be developed, and Montana would
soon be knocking for admission to the sis
terhood Of States. A fair business transac-
ton upon the part of the Territory with the
North Pacific company, which involved no
risk to the Territory other than the question
as to the amount of business the Territory
would do in twenty-five years, would not
deter those seeking homes from taking for
tune with us. When a subsidy, drawing
yearly upon the PEG pie for all that they
could bear, with no hope of relief except to
pay II, would prove a barrier that would
turn many al industrious man to cast his
Lot in some other cline. We think that a
loan of the Territorial credit as spoken of.
for three or three and a half millions. with
a proper guaranty that the revenue for 25
years, or SO much of it as should be neces-
sary, would be applied to the liquidation of
the interest and principal, is much more IA
vorable and better tor the people than the
one recently introduced, and seemingly ia
vored by a portion of the Territorial press,
1t contemplates the substituting of the North
and South road to the amount of one million
and a halt. And in making this assertion,
we would have it understood that we are
sctuated by no personal or sectional motives.
Situated as we are, where either road would
leave us far to one side, we can express an
unbiased opinion, and in doing so we are
actuated by our Judgment as to what we, be-
lieve to be for the best interestso of the whole
Territory.
we are uneompromisingly opposed to any
subsidy Whatever to any railroad, as we have
every reason to believe that the country is
not III a condition to give a subsidy, and if
the North Pacific railroad bill now under
consideration, emerge into a law burdened
With amendments which make it a subsidy,
teven II under another nancy or if it be not
plain upon its face, that the railroad eompa-
ny Will be compelled to carry out the con-
tract IN good faith, we will oppose it. We
can out regard I'LL such measures with sus-
piclon, and when we detect any trick or.
weak point, we will not he slow in spread
ing it before the people.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM III CAPITAL.
HELENA. Feb. Sd. 1876.
EDITOR HISRANpMAN, No+v,l