Year: 1868




May will at the ballot box so decide by a
large majority. As might be expected
there are few who oppose the grant. We
all do not see alike, and our conclusions in
matters of this kind are not all the same.
1t would not do to have it so--the force
and effect of any measure would be lost
without opposition. Yet there are candid
ones in opposition. An abhorrence'of debt,
a heavy and burdensome tax, and an un-
comfortable example, in the shape of the
county bonds, lingering along in an unset
tied state-these things comprise the rea-
sons of opposition. We acknowledge a
good deal of truth and force advanced with
such weapons, yet we believe it our duty
to improve our condition so as to be able
to meet any emergency that may arise. OF
course we go in debt to the tune of forty
or sixty thousand, and we earnestly and
solemnly pledge ourselves to its redemp-
ton, yet by the addition to our numbers,
the rise and progress of our town, it will
be comparatively an insignificant sum.
We do not concede that it will prove harm
to us in any form. But they say the taxes
will be SO high we cannot stand under the
load. Perhaps they may be rather extrav-
agant for the first year-say four per cent,
what then? Why, we shall squirm, grovel,
&C., but like good citizens bear up, and feel
better when paid, with the knowledge that
we have done something for the public
good. Supposing we pay four or six per
cent the first year, we shall be doing no
more than might be expected of us in such
an undertaking--n more than our neigh
bors have done. The next year we shall
pay less, and so on to the end of the term
of ten years. We do net give the amount
of taxes any great weight from the fact
that it is of a necessity that we burden
ourselves. 1t is true also, that it looks bad
to havea big debt hanging over our heads,
and it is true that in measure it retards
the more homelike improvements, yet we
do not see how we can avoid it. We must
make the debt and stand by it, unless our
people are disposed to walk up and lay
down the cash-a matter we do not think
they are prepared to do unless equivalent
is gwen forthwith. And again, We do not
apprehcnd that any fears need be enter
taiEed on account of the county matters.
1t is true they look bad and represent rath
er lofty pile Of greenbacks, yet those
very bonds are where we should pray ours
may never be-in the hands of Wall street
bond sharks, who have neither the fear of
God nor man before their eyes, hut are
adopts in swindling, and pursers to tho
railroad sharks of the east. The county
bonds, it is true, look Troublesome, yet
they should not affect our little underta-
king By our improvements and onward
march we may be better able to meet the
demands of the Wall street brokers, pro-
viding we are ever compelled to epon our
coffers-a thing which we look upon as ex-
tremely doubtful We cannot concede
this county matter to be a barrier in our
way, further than any citizens may choose
to use it as weapon opposite to the will
of the majority in pushing forward great
public improvement.


The building of this road must open a
vast trade. which will center here at Dodge
vile, making this place what it should
have been long ago, the central point Of
trade. 1t must necessarily become the
distributing point for all kinds of ma
chinery, and will receive great renown as
the shipping point for the producing coun-
try around about us. To-day we are pay
ing higher price for our daily wants
than we shall if the project is allowed to
be fulfilled 1t must cut down the prices
of commodities ard open to us thorough
fare essential to our existence as town
and village, and compel us, whether we
will or not to keep pace with the progress
of the great American go-ahead-itive pub
lie. We must, without doubt, make a
jump of at least five years to be able to
say we are above water, and then launch
out for the great work before US. Nothing
will so quickly make US do this, and feel
this, as to join in one solid phalanx, and
before another year comes around, COM
rlete communications by rail with the
outer world. Shall we do it?