Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1879-01-18
The Marquette and iuackinaw Grant.
DE troit Pos and Tribune

The Marquette and uackinaw Grant
Detroit Pos and Tribune
The failure OF parties ou' side the state
| TO fulfill their contract (sOon To be for
feited) for the construction of the Mar
quette and Maekinaw Railroad, and the
present situation of that enterprise
should stimulite Detroit capitalists TO a
mbined effort in the direction OF
it's early completion. The whole Lower
Peniusull is interested in the building
of this road. The mineral region of
Lake Superior, whose condition has
been greatly depressed, but is now rapid
iy improving. is large consumer OF
agricultural products and small pro-
ducer. With means of access open TO
that region the year round. the farmers
of .the Lower Pcnins lila would fini there
in IL profitable market for d large amount
of their surplus products. But Detroit
more than any other single point would
be benefited by the opening of direct
communication. This would be the ship
plug point for a considerable portion ot
The agricultural supplies needed in the
districts. IL would receive still larger
proportion OF the general trade of In
region, which before the completion o.
th- Chicago and Northwestern -Rairo
came here. but which has substantially
abandoned us. This city ought to +, =
cover the cream of the hardware, dry
goods, drug, an general grocery trade
OF that section, and its merchants anu
business men o: all classes are dir c ly
interested in opening. rs speedily 8
possible, winter communication with
Marquette and lioughton counties.
Since The first grant Of land was nude.
the conditions have not been as favor
able rs at present for the construction of
the road. Money is plen'ier here than
it has been for five years past. Labor,
which is the most important element in
railroad construction. ties. rails. cars and
locomotives are cheaper. and the value
OF tue lands is better understood. Tie
rush of immigration into Chippewa
county gives promise of the rapid and
remnneratlve sale of lands near the east
ern end OF the line. while the immense
hardwood forests vi the interior could.
in all probability, speedily be sold TO
parties Interested in the erection OIL char
coal iron furnaces. /; would appear from
present inuicitiOns that the land grant.
under the the beral terms already en-
bodied ia legislation, would be CONVEX
tible into Cash soon enough to aid ma-
terially in the cOnStrUc .On of much OF
the rOal. 1t is certainly worth while
for Detroit capitalists 10 ascertain by
thorough investigation whether they
cannot here make an investment that
shall prove renun"rative to themselves
and, at the same time, greatly benefit
the city. and link together the now dis
severed sections OF the state.
So tar as the L"%isla ure is concerned its
duty i'm rel ,tiOn To this road seems ID be
plain. and we take it that its inclination
will be cOincident with its duty. The
desire OF the people as expressed through
the press, and through three former
Legislatures, has been Enthusiastically in
favor OF giving all reasonable and legal
aid to this en- erpriSe. The depressed
condition of all kinds of business and
distruSt OF all new railroad movements
have hitherto prevented the consunma-
ton of the desir d prof ct. The coll
diiions now are more favorable. An
extension of tie time tor the completion
of the roal will probably accomplish the
desired result. That the Legislature may
reasonably grant. Beyond that it may
we'll hesitate to 80 The proposition
that it should make the state the agent Of
some possible future cOmpany-by sell
ing the lands OF tue grant and holding
the proceeds AS kind OF lrustee-i> vi
doubtful constitution ,lity. and still more
doubtful expediency. S elton 9Ofartlcle
XIV of tue constitution prohibiis the
stale from being ~ party TO, or intereste
in, any work OF internal improvement.
or engaged in carrying on any such
work. except in expenditure of grants 10
the state of land or other property"
Whether this would be esteemed as pro
hibiting the state from selling The lands
in question and holding the funds for
he Use of private company is not GER
tam, but that course might lead To
troublesome aud obstructive liiigaii.'..
IL would not be wise To undertake the
experim mt. But. il il is done, it SHOULD
be done at least under such restrictions
us TO pres rye the lands for acu i set
Hers. and not put them on the market
Tor the manipulatiOns of spectators.
The argument in favor OF such sale is
that the stream of immigration which last
year commenced Sc ting toward Chip
pewa county should not be checked. But
with speedy org ,nizition on the part OF
The Detroit capitalists, and wise action
on the part of the Legislature. this sdg-
gtsted evil may be avoided. Under the
present act the number OF acres earned
may be conveyed 20 the company to
whom the contract is let, upon the com
pletion of any twenIy-mile section of the
rOad. Ii ali arrangements can be perfect
ed before spring the first 40 miles OF road
from MacklrEc west cain be so promptly
completed us to prevent any material i'll
= erfereuce withetie very desirable cur
rent of immigration. With responsible
company once organized. and the capital
once raised. the work of construction
would not lag, and the growth ofpOpula-
ton in the region near the line woHld
be simulated and not repressed.
Manlfestly this is DE roit's Opportuni-
tY. VIII She improve ii =?