Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-08-29
The Pacific Railroad.

involved. The prevailing impression that
it is now questionable what may be the
eventual position upon it in which the
Administration will present themselves
next winter, is evidently having weight
with "the party" every where. There
are thousands whose sympathies with the
opponents of the governments connection
with the scheme on constitutional grounds
as well as grounds of political economy,
incline them greatly to oppose the mca-
sure, who, desiring to sustain the Admin
istration, have, until recently, been check
ing their inclination to take position
against the project. Encouraged by the
existing uncertainty as regards the views
of the Administration in this connection,
they are rapidly falling into line against
it. A recent publication from Mr.. Septi-
mus Norris, of Philadelphia, will also
serve to strengthen the opposition to the
government connection with il. Mr..
Norris has for twenty years past been at
the head of the largest locomotive build
ing establishment in the United States,
and has had in charge similar works in
Russia, for the government. Being thus
perhaps the leading practical railroad
man the world over, his views are en-
titled to great weight, and will have their
legitimate influence. Now, he estimates
that allowing but four hundred pasSen-
gers per diem at 500 each, the Pacific
railroad will pay 100000 per annum
over and above six per centum on the
Sl00,000,000 the construction of the
work is to cost, and an ample allowance
Tor wear and tear of road and machinery,
the expense of running the trains, &c.
His calculations seem to have demon.
strated past dispute, that, in fact, stock
in the proposed enterprise will pay at
least eight per centum per annum by the
transportation of only 400 passengers per
diem, alone.
The statistics of the travel between Cal
ifornia and Oregon, and the rest of the
United Satisfied and we'll ascertain
Ell facts-show that many more than four
hundred passengers per diem already
make the journey, at an average cost of at
least $3.50, (instead Of S60,l and with @
consumption of an average of at leas,
thirty days time, instead of six days
which are to be required for the journey
when the railroad may be completed. The
publication of Mr.. Norris is surely DIES.
tined to be regarded by many as furnish
ing positive proof that the work may be
safely undertaken by private companies,
,rtth0ut government aid. We fancy it will
have much influence in inducing many
(IEho, heretofore, were willing to see the
government identified with the work
only because they belle, ed it to be other.
wise impossible to build it, to change
their position upon the question.
The original opponents of the project
are also quietly preparing to toss anothe,
apple Of discord into the arena. Thus
they will bring forward project for the
employment of every dollar of the exist.
ing surplus revenue, in extinguishing the
public debt. They will confront the Dem.
ocratic friends of the scheme next winter
with proposition to this end; leaving
them to choose between the two methods
of spending the surplus, viz: that of pay.
ing our debts with it, and that of spend.
ing it in the construction of railroad
which the great engineer, Norris, insists
can SO proftably be built with private
capital. So they go! Who can tell what
Is to be the upshot of the affair?