River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-01-22
DELAYS ARE DANGEROUS.
Even in Railroad Matters-The Situa-
ton Critical-Read Carefully and
Then Act.

We have information from source
which we deem trustworthy to the ef-
feet that Messrs. Sabin and Austin to-
gether with other gentlemen interest.
ed in Saltwater, st. Paul and Minne-
apoliS had conference lately with
Mr.. Wright the President of the Free
port Railroad in which they discussed
the ACCESSIBILITY of changing the course
of the road so as to run farther up the
Eau Gala and thence to st. Paul via
Saltwater. Strong arguments were
presented by these gentlemen and in
ducements of much value including
the suggestion of large bonus if the
road could be diverted in this direc-
ton. We also learn from other sour
ces that parties interested in the more
northern route have been quite active
in advising the people of Martell and
Gilman not to vote for railroad aid.
We mention this simply as circum-
stantial proof of the truth of our in
formation. Mr.. Wright we learn was
quite favorably inclined to this new
project, the fact of receiving hearty
sympathy coupled with large bonus
having naturally great influence.
The opinion of Mr.. Wright will doubt
less have much influence in determin-
ing the future course of the road, but
we believe that others interested in
the scheme favor the River Falls
route as being at least as direct and
posi- bly, better one. Still money has
a great influence and unless the towns
interested in this route bestir them
selves and show by their actions a de-
sire to have the road it will und0ubt-
edly either fail or run by the upper
route.
The most important proof we in
River Falls can give of our sympathy
with the road is to carry the town and
that too at once by a rousing majority.
Failing to do this is the most emphat'
ic proof that we do not want road,
in fact do not need one. On the other
hand the gift of $25, 900 is the strong
est proof that we are in earnest and
want road. The sum is large enough
to prove this while at the same time
not a,grievious burden to be borne, ad.
ding to the tax of any person only one
tenth of his present tax so long as the
bonds run at interest. In other words
he who now pays ten dollars will only
have to pay one dollar additional Oh
eleven dollars, being one dollar yeal
for the privileges conferred by having
new and competing line of railroad.
The extra price of twenty bushels OF
wheat would pay it each year. Ii
fact we cannot afford to lose this
chance. Those who recall the early his
tory of this valley can we'll remember
the time when a small bonus diverted
the course of the West Wisconsin and
carried it so far north as to prevent
its coming to this place and in the be.
ginning of any enterprise small sums
of money frequently change the idea
of managers of the same.
If any one will take the trouble to
take any good map of this section he
will see that the new route is very
likely TO prove good one, the trend OF
of the valleys and of the river Eau
Gala combing to make good course
The large trade of Saltwater has al
ready induced the coming of several
roads and the city is ambitious to ex
tend it's influence in the direction OF
this new road. Adding the induce
ment of such bonus as the city Can
well afford to pay, a larger sum than
all Pierce county interested in the
matter could pay,it can be understood
that our situation may at any time be-
come a critical one. IL the road com.
ing from the east reaches into the ter
ritory now partly tributary to us and
then changes its course leaving us
without road we are badly pocketed
and can have no hope of relief. Mar
tell and River Falls will each be cut
off from all hope and become simply
inland villages with meager means OF
outlet. This ought not to be. We be-
lieve that some of those deeply inter-
est in the railroad scheme prefer our
route but unless they have the cordial
support of our people their hands are
tied. In short we firmly believe that
we can have the road if we are willing
in cooperation with other towns in
this county to give the desired aid to
the company. Failing in this our own
assurance is that we will not get it.
In this opinion we are not alone;
shrewd business men of the village
take the same view and look with
alarm upon the efforts made to defeat
the railroad propositions.
Let all interested then do some
thing; talk the matter over candidly
with your neighbors and friends, use
no arguments not founded on honest
convictions, for such arguments are
the best and only proper ones to use.
We may not get the road do the best
we can, but let us be sure that we do
not lose it through our own neglect.
We have the assurance of one whose
interest in the roa is considerable, of
a hearty good will and sympathy if
there is a chance to work for us. Let
us give our friends this chance and
...n Il o., hnun dnnn What we can