Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-09-02
NEW OUTLET TO THE SEA

Eastern papers convey the information
that articles of incorporation have Just been
signed in New York by new railroad COM
pany for the purpose of building line of
railway from Marquette, on Lake Superior.
to the Straits of Mackinao. This, added to
the construction of few miles of road ON
this side of Ontonagon would fill the gap in
great northern railway line having st. Paul
for its terminus, and gives the people of
Minnesota another outlet for their products
to the seaboard, independent of the existing
monopolies that are profting so much from
our trade and doing SO little for our city and
State. The route is said to be practicable
In every respect, passing through territory
rich in mineral deposits and admirably fitted
for agricultural purposes. The road will
be about two hundred miles in
length, and from the date of its
completion will be paying enter
prise. The products of the mines at Mar
quette and elsewhere would be enabled to
reach the Eastern markets at all seasons If
the year, instead of only in the summer "a
now, while large portion of the grain crop
of Minnesota, Dakota and Wisconsin vould
naturally seek that route as the shortest and
quickest way to market, much preferable on
many accounts to the route around the head
of Lake Michigan.
The advantage to Minnesota of such a road.
provided it does not fall into the hands Of
the two gigantic corporations that now con-
troll the transportation Of the Northwest.
will be manifest at a glance. The distance
from st. Paul to Mackinac will be but little
greater than from st. Paul to Chicaoo.
while the former point is more than three
hundred miles nearer the seabosrd than
Chicago. The saving in distance and in
time, which are no slight considerations,vill
have q powerful influence upon the
direction our products will take. Then, too,
the shipment of grain to Buffalo will not be
delayed in the spring till the opening of the
straits, and in the fall can be continued for
several weeks later from the new transfer
point than from Milwaukee and Chicago.
By this means our dealers and producers
WAL AofO GAA0 oNsoACoSo VI tuo low lake
freights for at least six weeks longer than at
present, besides having shorter distance to
cover. The effect will be to largely increase
the value of our wheat product because of
the reduction of feights to the seabosrd.
The organization of this new company is
an earnest of better days. Taken in con-
nection with the recently organized Wisoon-
sin companies which propose to connect st.
Paul with Ashland, on Lake Superior, it af-
fords a prospect of q choice of routes to the
East and of competition in transportation
that cannot fail to be beneficial. OF course
the existing companies will do all in their
power to head off the new enterprises.
but we feel sure they will not
succeed. The greatest danger to be appre-
hended is that after the roads are built thew
will fall into the hands of the present COM
binations, either by purchase or by the
"pcor' arrangement, and that therefore our
people will be cheated of the advantage
arising from competing lines. Those inter-
ested in the matter, however, should watch
the progress of events closely, and see that
our interests are fully protected.
The completion of the proposed line
would have another effect of no small inn
portance to the business men of CHICAGO
and Milwaukee. By diverting tho grain of
the Northwest from them those cities would
lose millions of dollars annually, and new
city, of no mean proportions, would be built
up at the Straits. The handling of thirty
to folty millions of bushels Of grain annu-
ally would furnish employment for thou
sands of persons, while the other business of
the road would give ample employment for
thousands more. The situation of the
place would be commanding, for it would
control the vast trade of an immense area.
Let the road be pushed forward to compile
ton without unnecessary delav. T.