The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-10-04
THE QUESTION.

ES = hio aoo ocouhhNN AS'eEo "HosS
the prompt action Of the citizens of Butte Is
demanded. The position that was advanced
in certain quarters some time ago, .that the
rail- Dad could not afford to stay away from
Butte, has been shown to be delusive.5 The
entire force of grad Is has been withdrawn,
and the season is 30 far advanced that the
railroad cannot reach Butte this winter unless
steps are taken for the immediate return Of
this force. TIE senseless chatter about soul
less corporations and grinding and discr:mi-
mating monQpolies cuts 10 figure in the deter
mination of a matter that vitality affects the
commercial we'll being of an entire people.
Ira nsactions in real estate have diminished;
activity in building has slackened; the
production of matte aid shipping ores has
been reduced; and employment in the vali-
Gus industries of the community has not been
in that active demand which the early pros
pect of a railroad stimulated two months ago.
The logic of facts has brought about a singu-
lar unanimitv Of sentiment for a favor
able solution of this question. Men who
were once Numbering about irrelevant ques-
tions of railroad management are now, like
the old party by the name of Legion, 'clothed
in their right minds" They realize that a
railroad terminating at Silver Bow can be
none the less rprr' ssive thai one terminal
ing at Butte. The only question that can
present itself for their determination is,
whether they will by friendly encouragement
make Butte a terminal point or by acts of
, ~ 80 go, r,,,t fn,,,
it to remain at Silver Bow.
The matter OF railroad oppression is iIlele
want in the discussion of this question. If it
belongs anywhere it is in the halls of the leg
~islation. The methods of railroad corpora
ton are substantially those of al individual
in business, aud have reference to the amount
invest d. tie demand, competitic!. and OPP
p%ortuuilies, Tie velf,re If the customers
of no busine IS man is consul'ed, except so
far AS it relates to their r-teltion. Mrl' la-
bitrally make in business what they can.
And men in business do not 60 outside OF
their own affairs to aid business matters
ia which thev are not Interested. But the
construction Of a railroad to any point can
not be reduced to any such Standard; there
crises then a reciprocity of interest. The
business OF Il railroad is enlarged through eX-
%tention, and that Gifts customers increased
through cheap transportation and the en-
hancemcnt Of property values. Aid it is a
matter that has leftreJ &c to tie weltare #
every nan, woman and child in a cuinnu-
nifty rs we'll as TO the business men. Com
modities are cheaptned 70 consumers, aid
the cost of living is reduced.
The Utah Il Northern hallway Company
La, never mace any demand upon the ell
zeIs Of Butt beyond their good will. y few
hu.drtd dollars more or less is not d matter
about which a wealthy corporation stops tt
l~lae4le. II the ritlt Of way question up
Silver Bow creek can be definitely settled, it
can be stated authoritative'y 'ha graders
will be put Oh immediately. 1t should be
we'll understood by the people Of Butte that
the Utah Il hern Company 10 not in a
position to invoke the aid of law in the con-
den.nation of the necassar, realty for a road
bed to this place; and if they were, with a
hostile publ, sentiment against them, as
prudent men, they could hardly afford to
trus' ai,uinber Of condemnation cases 10 a
Jury in an adverse community. AS long as
,iia alternative coutronts the company, it is
safe to sav that no railroad will ever come to
Butte, unless it may he the Northern Pacific,
which has priority of light over subsequent
purchasers. In Il i1ry trial to ascertain the
value OF placer mining glouIir. II MrlIt lrt
he Il difficult matter TO procure testimony
that if is worth 50, or even $50, per foot,
NJ private individual would place himself in
any .uch position. An eXorbllalt and lit
tilions price was put upon his GROUND from
the first. by ! ason of a sentiment in the
community mutriendiy to the railroad COM
pany.
The duty of the citizens in The premises. ir
view Of the facts that exist, is exceedingly
plair. ifthey '!eSire a railroad, .t'ey mus
procure some authoritative assurance that the
railroad company will not be subjected To eX
carbonate demands or The prospect of anroy
ing and expensive legislation, with every tx
pectation of an adverse issue. y committee
of the citizens has already been appointed
Let them 60 forward and get bonds for deed
from all parties affected h. this right of wa,
question. or deeds to he placed in escrow I'm
til the railroad authorities can have time II
signify their acceptance or r~-jaction of tin
propositions. Or course, tho several PROPOSE
tons must bs AIKEN as an entirety, and an,
single claimant along the line has it in hi
power by extorLionaie demand to nullifv tn
entire negotiation. It. should then be tn
care Of the committee to see that the domain
of each claimant is reasonable and Just. TIL
matter can he adjusted, and railroad conrec
tions yet be obtained before winter sets in.