The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-01-24
HE DODGE PROPOSITION.

Conversation and controversy has re-
suited in the conviction, so far as the
HERALD is concerned, that there is a
Willingness and decided disposition, not
only to believe that there is much sig
nilicance in GEN. DoDGE's interview,
but that Dallas should at once act in The
premises. Granting that he and the in
terests he represents are correct, what
inducement is presented for the tax
payers of Dallas to put their hands in
their pockets and pay out 100000?
The Fort Worth IL Denver road is pro.
jected with reference to Colorado and
the gulf. 1t now leaves Dallas alto.
gether out Of its track, and this PROPOSE
tion is to put Dallas in its track as a
division terminus. The little town of
Fort Worth has been living from rail-
road expenditures among its citi-
zens, and boasts this road as one of its
main arteries. The question is as to the
effect that a change Of direction of
this highway may effectuate. In the
first place, there is an evident purpose
of the Gould system to abandon Fort
Worth. The action Of the council and city
government Of that place has not only
been unwise but exceedingly migrate
full to its railway benefactors. They,
the railroad people, are not much inilu-
enced by feeling, but are not inhuman.
The offer is made to leave Fort Worth
off the main line and put Dallas on.
Can we afford to accept the propositions
The assessed valuation of Dallas prop
erty is $l5 32i, 500, and of this the city is
about one-half. From 1870 to 1884 this
assessment has leaped nearly 100000,
lfthere is a sturdy granger who will
deny that this result has been accom-
plished by railroads, the HERALD is
mistaken. Yet it is well
known that whore railroads
make they may also unmake. The ben.
eft of past action Is concluded; now
shall the prospect of future advance.
ment be considered? The city of Dallas
has to act, and it represents half of the
property in the county. Property will
be enhanced by the Fort Worth & Den
yer road, making Dallas an important
point-the most important point. The
property that is worth now what it is
was valueless comparatively before tn,
railroad advent added to its worth. The
property owners of Dallas Should pay
for any great advantage resulting from
great railway enterprises. One-tenth o
per cent. would effect scheme tha
would result in at least % per cent. adj
ditional and immediate value to landed
property in Dallas county.
"But this cannot be done by county OF
city subscription" So be it-let 1t bt
done by private subscription
and that promptly. Let thos,
who solicit show what equabl,
proportion each property owner SHOULD
pay and but few will object to tho
amount assessed, In the past decade
many have been called on to subscrib,
TO railroad enterprises and but few com
PEELED, or even asked to pay. This is
very different proposition and individu
ally will be Of much lighter taxation
whilst far more equitable. Every prop
erty holder paying his mite can rails,
the amount, even with big delinquen
list.
And now for the Merchants exchange
Much, very much good has it done
when acting within its proper sphere |
is the peculiar agency for formulating
commercial purpose and effecting grea
results. The road from Denton to DE
catur is very short, can be readily bull
and what does it give to BALLAST onl
a connection with the rich, undovelope
northwest and certain continuation @
the route through the piney regions Q
, Texas TO the Sabine Pass, now recog
nized as the coming great seaport Of tn
gulf.