Helena weekly herald., 1884-03-13
From the Daily Herald of March II.
HELENA & BENTON R. R,
A ROusing Meeting of the Citi-
zens of the Capital.
Report of E. w. Toole, Chairman
of the Committee, Adopted.
Articles of Incorporation Submitted and
a List of Incorporators Suggested.

dred citizens of Helena among whom was
large representation of mercantile, bank
ing and professional people.
Richard Lockey occupied the chair, and
E. D. Edgerton acted as secretary.
E. W. Toole, Esq, chairman of the COM
mittee appointed at preceding meeting
submitted the following report in advocacy
of the proposed railroad from Helena to
Benton:
Mr.. PRESIDENT: Your committee ap-
pointed to investigate the feasibility of
constructing railroad from Helena City
to Fort Benton, to ascertain the OppOrtuni-
ties of securing right of way over the
most practicable route. and to draft certi-
ficate of incorporation, suitable and proper
for the organization Of a company for such
purpose, has had tue matters submitted
under advisement, and after giving them
such consideration and investigation as
time and facilities at our command afford
ed, would most respectfully report:
That the benefits and advantages to be
derived from the construction of the pro-
posed road to the head of navigation on the
Missouri river, is fraught with more signifi-
canoe and importance to the city of Helena
and surrounding country than any enter
prise that can be presented for considera-
on. Our prosperous and growing city,
situated as it is, on the main line of the
Northern Pacific railroad, requires other
facilities for transportation, which its To-
cality so fortunately possesses. No other
city within the Territory is so favOrably
| located to secure the advantages of cheap
|
commercial center of so large scope OF
country, comprising to so great an extent
all the elements of wealth and prosperity.
| With her present surroundings she has,
through the intrepid spi:it of her enter
prising citizens, attained position first of
| importance of any city between st. Paul
and Portland without other material adj
vantages, from commercial standpoint,
over rival cities along its entire line.
The construction of this road, owned
and operated by home company, which
is now within our grasp, will not only Sc
cure to us permanency in wealth and popu-
lation, but inaugurate al era OF prosperity
not otherwise to be obtained.
1t will develop the immense and mex
haustible coal mines along its line, un-
equaled in extent and quality, it is be-
lieved, by any within our reach, and there
by furnish abundance of business for the
road, cheap fuel for the city, insure the
erection of works for the reduction OF our
ores, and the construction of factories, toun-
dries and machine shops, to utilize the
other productions from the vast and varied
resources of the country. 1t will insure
direct communication by river and rail
from Helena to the mouth Of the Mlssls-
sippi. 1t will become check upon all
other roads, and cheaper transportation by
water, by securing supply OF freight IN
exports and imports to and from the head
of navigation. 1t will open up vast
region of country rich in minerals and
fertile in soil, contribute to our trade and
increase our population. 1t will enhance
the values OF real property, impart new
life to every department OF business, and
stimulate every enterprise and industry.
1t will invite capital and secure its invest
ments 1t will inspire confidence and in
sure success. 1t will dissipate all appre-
tensions of the removal of the capital, and
eventually result in the erection of public
buildings suitable for such metropolis.
1t will give us advantages in the transpOr-
tation of passengers and shipment of freight
which will establish here that pOpulOus
city which it is conceded DOW will some
where be built along this great trans
continental line. 1t will disburse the
moneys invested in constructing, maintain
ing and operating this road among our
people at home, instead of paying it over
to foreign capitalists and contractors.
For the foregoing reasons, which your
committee do not believe transcends the
results reasonably to be expected from the
comsummatiOn of this enterprise, under
the auspices of home company, we are of
opinion that its construction is entirely
feasible.
As to the opportunity of securing the
most practicable route between the points
designated, we are of opinion that no such
rights have attached to any company as
Will interfere Herewith, and that the same
is open for the selection of any that may
prove the most available. Upon this ques-
tiOn, however, we suggest that a more thor
ough investigation be had with respect to
any prior rights that may have been at
tached on account of certificates of incOr-
pOratiOn filed with the Secretary of the
Territory. Corporations organized under
our statute for this purpose are required to
commence operations on the line OF its
road within two years after filing its certl-
ficate, and thereafter grade at least ten
miles each year, and prosecute the same to
completion within five years. Provision is
also made for the forfeiture of its charter
and all rights and privileges secured to it,
upon failure to comply with any of the
above requirements. This could easily be
secured upon an application by the District
Attorney to the court for such purpose.
So far as we are advised, no such right of
way has accrued in the first instance, nor
ha;, the work required been commenced
and prosecuted so as to perpetuate and
maintain the same, had any such
Heretofore attached. Besides this, no
exclusive right of way is granted to
any company, under the laws of
Congress or the Territory, through can
yons or defiles, which would be the only
obstacle that could materially interfere in
selecting the most favorable route. In all
such cases, even where prior rights have
attached, the privilege demonstrating other |
roads and the use of the track of the road
is secured upon Just and equitable terms
The rights and franchises usually conferred |
upon such corporations are amply secured |
by the act in locating and selecting the |
line of the road with 100feet on each side of |
the center of the track, grounds for the |
erection of station buildings, work shops, |
depots, machine shops, switches, side
tracks, turntables, and water-stations, as
well as the condemnation of private
property necessary for such purposes upon
just compensation to the owner, except |
when the same may fall upon the public
domain, when these rights are granted
without cost. Your committee are there
a., # bat, at.c<o ola
are to be encountered in selecting the most
nracficahle and available route