Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-03-15
RAILROAD LETTER FROM BOHEMIAN.

EDITOR. HUsBANDMAN: In the last issue
of your valuable paper. [ notice that you
are disposed to take a liberal view of the
North and South railroad bill. Coming as
we all know from men that have persistent
ly opposed subsidy, and from a journal tina
so ably represents the stock and farming in.
| ~terests of Montana, it is to say the>least en-
couraging.
The people of Gallatin county are divided
on the question, and men,. who, i'm the be
ginning denounced it in. bitter terms after
mature reflection are notsso strong in theil
opposition, and will, if the proposition is
submitted, vote for the bill. All agree thai
the railroad will develop the mines and set
tie up the Territory; but local pred udicf
exists. to- such an extent, that many viii
take a fancied revenge for the defeat OF the
North Pacific, n year ago.
Our Territory has ,depopulated until what
few are left, are like the old woman at the
tea party. We snarl and snap n fuss
among ourselves until nothing of public
benefit can be accomplished. For my part
| can see no possible hope for Montana il
the present opportunity is cast aside; it is
the only genuine proposition we have ever
had, and, in my humble opinion, will be the
last tor many years. The Union Pacific
company can and will build this road i'm
mediately, and speedy relief is what we
want. A irst-class three-foot road is capa
BILE of performing the work OF six times oul
present traffic, and will be sufficient for ev
cry purpose, until we gain a population o
50,OOO or $4,000 people ;-besides it can be op
Grated 'cheaply, and from the very begin
ming will pay expenses, hereby giving u
daily communication the entire season
with the Eastern States.
In section Il you will find a clause, levy
ing a tax of one-twelfth of the gross pro
ceeds of the shipment of ores and bullion
also one-twenty-fifth of the gross proceeds
| of the passenger traffic. This of itself viii
pay the interest, and establish a sinking
fund that will pay the bonds within the Civ
en- time; and while the miners are willing
to bearatheir burdens, / can see no reason
why stock-men and farmers should Oppose
it, when they depend entirely upon the, mi
ners for a market fortheir produce.
If we expect to prosper, we must work il
harmony, and not bicker and quarrel abou
where the road shall run, and in what towl
it shall terminate. 1t will benefit the en-
tire Territory, some sections more than 9th
ers, but the object is to do the greatest goo(
to the greatest number.
Our Governor, in his message to the Leg
i~slature, recommended that something
should be done to reduce the debts Of tn
several counties. Lam sure every membe
was ready and willing to follow this advice
But what could be done with a population
of less than $4,000, land the assessable. prop
erty less than 10,000,00O. We have a Terri
torialtform of government to run and nine
county organizations to sustain. The val
uation and population of the entire Terrific
ry will not compare favorably with an av
erage county in the. States. With this pros
pect before us what can we expect but. al
increase 0 fdebt, until our Credits destroyed
duu tOuLSOOliNo OCOOHlC .WOIC hlCSSs. IAC Via.
relief that | can see, is for us to help build u
railroad, bring immigration and capital t
our country until We can count our wealth
by millions and our population by tens Q
thousands.
Montana's are inexhaustible
our mineral wealth., when developed, vii
bring to the country prosperity. Thousand
of men who have gone away, will, upon tn
completion of a railroad, return immediate
ly. and establish themselves. in business