Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-07-20
M DEFENDS UPON ouRsELvEs.

1T DEPENDS UPON OURSELVES.
If the readGrs of the TRIBUNE will
take map and look over the situation of
the country surrounding Che5oygan
they will see that the entire northern
portion of the state, comprising large
portion of the territory comprising three
counties, may be reached by water from
ChebOygan In two ways: one through
Mullett, Burt and Crooked lakes, and
the other through Black river and lake.
After having satisfied themselves that
this Is the case, it will not take much of
an argument to convince that all of this
vast territory may be made to add to the
wealth of Cheboygan if the trade of this
country could be brought here. The tact
has already been demonstrated as far as
one-half of the country is concerned.
Navigation into Mullett. Burt and Crook
ed lakes is assured and already its bene-
fits are beginning to be felt. The ques-
ton that now comes before our people
for their decision is whether or not the
other and perhaps the larger portion can
be reached. We think that we have
demonstrated beyond doubt that it can
be by the construction of dam and locks
around Black rive: rapids. The project
is feasable. We can get to that country
and bring the country to us if We so de-
sire. A company has been organized
which may DO this work. All the prelim-
mary steps necessary have been made. 1t
now remains for the citizens of Cheboy-
gan to say whether they will have this
Improvement or not. The company can
not construct the work without its stock
being taken. 1t was organized as a nee
essary preliminary for real work. We
have done all we can to get the matter i'm
proper shape and under way. Ii the pro-
ject is desirable one the citizens must
come forward and subscribe the stock
required to do the work, and become
members OF the company. Of the desir-
ableness of the work we should think
very little need be said. When three
years ago the TRIBUNE advocated what
has come to be Known as the Inland
Navigation improvement, We are aware
that the scheme was called by some a
wild and visionary one, which could not
be carried to completion, and il it was it
would be of little or no benefit. We are
aware that the project as it was carried
forward met at times strong opposition,
sometimes not openly expressed but dis
heartenins the same. Almost complete
success has followed our efforts i'm this
project and few months will see it COM
pleted. Already the benefits have shown
themselves so great that we believe our
people will come forward almost unani-
nous and say that they desire the other
portion of this valua Die territory shall be
made tributary to Cheboygan.
When we say that in our opinion the
completion Ofthis Improvement of Black
river will be of greater advantage to
ChebOygan than the construction of a
railroad to it, we feel that we speak
within bounds. The section OF country
which this improvement would make
tributary to ChebOygan is so located that
1t does not stand to reason that it will
be intersected by u railroad for many
years, If ever. A railroad coming to Che
beygan would bring with it very many
advantages, but it would also carry with
1t some disadvantages. 1t would carry
some trade away from the place. This
Improvement would bring every advan-
tage 10 us and take nothing from us. The
trade once established would always re-
main with us and increase year by year,
1t does not seem to us that it Is necessary
TO argue this matter. The facts are self
evident and must be plain to all. A care.
full examination by competent engineers
has been arranged for when the manner
of doing and the cost of the work can be
determined upon, when our citizens will
be asked to take more substantial in
terest in the project. A little interest on
our parts is all that is required to have
our steamers running into Black lake on
the lst of September, 1879. The time
when We can have railroad depends
upon the movements of those who have
not particle of interest i'm our place.
That is r matter i'm which We are all in
terested but can do nothing. This is
matter i'm which We should be just as
much interested and which we have in
our own hands. We can control the mat
ter ourselves and have its benefits sooner
or later as We may determine. We are
dependent upon no one but ourselves.
The question is shall we have it?
THE Joplin (Mo.) Herald says there is
no metal mined i'm the United States
which has flu ctuated SO much in price as
has lead ore. Fifteen years ago it was
e11Q ,.o~ 4 nO0 ,xo,,r.1.