West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-08-22
ENTERPRISE VS. FoGYIsM.

ENTERPRISE VS. FOGYISM.
In this age of the world, when
enterprise is developing not only
the material things which an Advise
Being has placed in the world for
the use and comfort of mankind,
but also the intellect which enables
man to enjoy to the fullest extent
those blessings vouchsafed to them,
it is almost impossible for us to
think that some people are con-
tinually trying to hinder and inn
pede these enterprises but such is,
unfortunately, true. Several months
ago, several gentlemen visited our
county, saw the wealth it contained,
but undeveloped for the lack of
capital, and at once proposed to
furnish the money to develop the
county provided they were granted
certain privileges. One of these
privileges was the right to own and
use the timber and minerals upon
the lands of certain persons, for
which they were to pay certain
amount of money. In this they
were reasonably successfully. An
other was that they should have
the right of way through these
lands for the purpose of building
railroad Here also they seemed,
at first, to have been successful, un-
til they set their engineers to locate
the road, when certain persons re-
fused to allow them to go through
their lands unless they were paid
large damages. These parties seem
to think that the road must be
built as there has been considerable
trouble and money expended, and
consequently they can demand and
receive large damages. They should
disabuse their minds of that idea at
once. While these gentlemen are
anxious to build the road from
Rowlesburg to Uniontown, they
are not willing for those who own
land to impose upon them, nor will
they be. While these gentlemen
are willing to aid us with their cap
ital, sooner than be imposed upon,
they acW abandon the enterprise and
Place their money tohere ii UW be
better appreciated. Tile road wiH
not be built mnless they can do ii.
wtthO"t paying three prices for the
riqht Of aCav.
Let us see whether there is any
one benefited by the proposed rail
road besides those who want to
build it: Should a landowner
wish to sell his farm, almost the
first thing he would tell the intended
purchaser how close he was to the
railroad. Why? Because he knows
that upon that as much as ANYTHING
else depend the chances of the sale.
Again, let us compare the difference
in prices of land away from rail-
road with those on road Thous-
ands of acres of land can be bought
in Preston county to-day that is
several miles from the railroad for
eight and ten dollars per acre,
Whereas along the road land not q
particle better cannot be had for
less than twenty-five and fifty dol
lars an acre. Besides advancing
the price of the land, it raises the
value of everything produced on
the land. Select any product of
the farm, and it VIII command
higher prices on than it does off the
road, simply because it is easier to
ship it to the eastern and western
markets.
Many other things can be brought
forward in support of our PROPOSE
tons, but space forbids us mention
ing them now. We hope, however,
that the argument advanced in this
article will convince those along
Cheat river that if they wish to adj
vonoo their own interests they viii
deal justly with the gentlemen who
want to spend their money with us.
If you feel that You can not give
the right Of way for the road, do
not ask such exhorditant prices, for
If they can not get the land at reas-
enable figures they certainly viH
not build the road, and you and
Preston county win continue in the
woods, and burden yourselves with