Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1879-08-02


copper throughout the world. Already
it has declared dividends amounting to
over $15,OO0OO0. The Marquette iron
mines are now shipping ore and iron by
the millions of tons, and largely cOntro-
the markets of the world. When the
richness of this vast region is known
eastern capitalists will the more readily
come to our relief. The state of New
York has expended in the construction
and maintenance of the Erie Canal over
$76,OOO,OG0; while the Canadian Govern
ment, when her canal system connecting
the ST. Lawrence with the lakes is COM
pleted, which will be within two years,
through which ocean vessels of 10000
tons capacity will pass, will have ex-
pended $54,CO0,OO0 in these improve
ments. The aid of these great interests
must be invoked to assist us i'm reaching
with our produce the channels they have
thus far opened. And it will be for their
interest to do so, otherwise they will
have to share i'm the additional expense
incident to the long haul by way of Chi
cagO, l think it only necessary to in
form the people at home of the threaten
ed danger of having their only Compel
ing outlet closed and of advising those
of the East of the prize that will be
theirs when uninterrupted water com
municatiOn is had between tide-water
and the head of the lake, supplemented
by northern railroad route along the
south shore of Lake Superior, in cOnnec-
ton with the Northern Pacific and its
will go far to accomplish the objects in
view. 20 t..
Representatives were present from
st. Paul, Minneapolis, Duluth, TaylOr's
Falls, st. CrOix Falls, Pine City, Superior,
Farbault, Sault Ste. Marie, Red Lake,
Saltwater, Red Wing, and Fond du Lac.
Mr.. w. l.. Banning moved that COM
mittee be appointed to meet at as early an
hour as practicable and report a plan or
scheme to protect the northwest against
the threatened danger of having its
short and competing lines absorbed by
the Chicago system of roads. The mo-
ton was adopted. 81
A number of letters from absentees
were read and speeches made by prOmi-
nent gentlemen. ss1EI
The committee made lengthy report,
giving statistics and figures of the cost
of travel between various points, and
showing the advantages to be derived
from water routes. The following con-
illusions were arrived at:
1. That it is now assured that the
Northern Pacific road will be promptly
completed from the head of Lake Supe-
riOr to the Pacific Ocean, and thence to
the Montreal River.
2. This done, there is established for
all time great trunk line, trade high
way by land and water, over the CONT
nent from ocean to ocean.
3. This, the most direct and cheap
est way of transit, affords to Minnesota
one of the best roads to market, and it is
the duty and policy of our state and peO-
pie to give their full sympathy, power,
and aid to hasten the completion of the
lines along the south shore of Lake Su-
periOr, and the completion of the lake
improvements authorized by the gov
eminent. ,lI s 10
4. To hold the roads leading to the
head of Lake Superior to strict COM
pliance with their obligations to main
cain their outlet to the lake, and carry
at reasonable rates. 4 -.....
5. To secure the immediate cOnstruc-
ton of an additional line of railway to
the head of Lake Superior, the same to
be operated in the interests of MinnesO-
ia and the entire Northwest and in con-
nection with lines of railway already
built, looking to Lake Superior as their
summer outlet.
6. Your committee are impressed with
l. -
scheme looking to keeping the way to
Lake Superior free to the commerce of
the state, of fostering and constructing
such lines of railroad leading to the
cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis into
the rich, fertile, and populous country
lying south of these cities as shall guar
antee to Southern Minnesota the same
access to Lake Superior as they shall en-
joy, while at the same time opening an
avenue to the wholesale trade of st.
Paul and Minneapolis into country
hitherto Theoretically sealed against its
entrance. i
= Resolved, That committee composed
of fifteen citizens representing the. diff
ferent portions of the state be appoint
ed by the President of the convention, of
which the President shall be the chair
man, to correspond with the corporation
or corporations engaged in the con-
structiOn of railway from Montreal
through Canada to the Sault Ste. Marie,
and with Michigan land grant COM
panies from the Sault Ste. Marie along
the south shore of Lake Superior, to the
mouth of the Montreal River; and with
the Northern Pacific Railroad company,
with view to secure through rail line
from the central portion of this state to
Montreal, at the earliest practicable
period, and that the said committee take
the necessary steps to combine all the
interests in this state in the building of
such railway to the most direct point of
intersection with the aforesaid
through line. lr HE-# Lss
The following was also adopted, and
the meeting adjourned: r.-., ....'t
Resolved, That the state should con-
firm by legislation, and the people, if
necessary, by an amendment to the con-
stitution of the state, the right of the
shipper to select his route to market
over any railroad line in the state at
equal and reasonable rates, and that
this policy, established by law and firm
ly applied and adhered tO,will aid,rather
than retard, the construction of our
much needed roads, and, while it will
give liberal and just compensation to
the roads, will save many millions an
nually to the people, by enabling them
to select their shortest and best route
to market, and thus remove the danger
and harsh railroad eXactiOns that
threaten the prosperity of the state by
carrying its productions from 200
to 500 miles out of its natural road to
market. l t.'fE
NJ Arthur Smi&h e.,