The increased earnings of these roads since the con-
solidation, and in great part resulting from it, clearly
indicate the wisdom and good policy of that step, and
the officers of the Company are perfectly confident that
when they shall have perfected their new organizations
and appointments, and the economical plans for the
conduct of the business of the consolidated roads, and
as soon as labor and material shall return to fair prices,
they will be enabled, if supplied with an equipment
sufficient to transact the business offering, to reduce
their tariff on freight and passengers to a very mode-
rate rate, and to furnish increased facilities for trade
and travel to all the country and people doing business
with them to their entire satisfaction ; and yet be able
to make full and regular payments of interests and
dividends to all of their bond-holders and stock-
holders.
Soon after the commencement of the construction of
the Galena road, in 1847, the officers of that Company
visited Janesville, Mineral Point, and other places in
Wisconsin, soliciting aid and co-operation in their
efforts, and proposing branches and extensions of their
line of road, from the line between Chicago and Galena
then in process of construction to Beloit, Janesville,
Madison and beyond, being substantially the same



288 RAILROADS OP THE UNITED STATES.
lateral route subsequently adopted and now occupied
by the Chicago and Northwestern Eailway.
Incited by these offers and promises of co-operation,
the people of Wisconsin, living upon the line of the
route of road above suggested, were prompted to pro-
cure an act incorporating the Madison and Beloit Rail-
road Company of Wisconsin, which act was approved
August 19th, 1848.
