The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-02-23

In our issue OF December 5 we forecasted
the probability Of q railroad being construct
ed between Benton and Helena at an early
day, either by the Utah and Northern or by
an independent company, and the new
scheme, which was considered by the Board
Of Trade Of Benton and Helena on Saturday
last, appears to US one which should receive
universal support. Il is on the same plan,
though proposed 10 be managed by different
individuals, as the one in the interest of s.. B.
Coulson s. Co, which was formulated by the
act Of 1877. A proposition has been re-
ceived from 5. Houser and O. J. Salisbury to
subscribe $780, 600 each to a Montana enter
prise, provided the counties Of Chuteau and
Lewis and Clark, would sustain their former
subsidy Of $50, 900 and $3.50, 600 respectively,
and that the balance required, about 1910, 600,
would be taken by Montana capitalists, and
the scheme would be maintained as a Mon
tana enter prise,
Whether this is q scheme in the interest of
the Utah and Northern, or one thrown out
by Helena merchants as a bid for that road
to complete its line to Helena we do not
know, although we must confess to an ina
bility to see what Helena has to gain by
inviting the Gould line, more than she has
had unless it be to facilitate localintercourse,
but we can see what she may gain by an in
dependent line which will give her all the
benefits Of the river route and low rates of
transportation.
There is a general feeling Of fear against
Jay Gould, and any scheme which he can
possibly get his hands into, and while the
feeling is general and. almost universal that q
railroad should be built if it can be managed
by Montana enterprise, there is very decided
feeling against having anything TO do with
one that he controls. For ourselves we share
the general distrust for q scheme controlled
bY Gould, and hope to see one inaugurated
with Montana capital, and as a Montana en-
terprise. But there are two or three peril
nent and disagreeable facts which we must
all of us consider in connection with this rail
road matter, and they will sooner or later
| have to be considered whether we like the con-
ditions they will bring not. We will sup
pose that the enterprise would be inaugurated
as a Montana enterprise. II 80, would not
most Of the stock float on the market, and
would not Gould manage to get hold Of i? "
he should. we can see no difference whether
he has it now or in two orthree years. Again
we will suppose that Montana capital and
men will build the road in such way as to en-
tireiy control the stock, and keep it OFT the
market, how long could those capitalists run
the road, and how much could they disburse,
year after year, to maintain tiff it should hap
pen to run at 3 loss (and that it could be run
Ut q gain as an independent line is something
that none believe is possible, at least not for
many years. who would make up the dehcll?
| Gould, most assuredly. Again suppose, that,
as an independent line it could make 40 ar
rangement with the Utah Northern to car
nv its winter freight. how would i be enabled
10 do any business that would not practically
place it within the power Of Gould. Again,
SUPPOSE that Gould should see ct to tap the
Missouri and pass beyond It to the canada
Pacific "a matter that be certainly will 90 ~