Council Bluffs bugle., 1855-04-10
MISOELLAN A NEOU S /.
The Pacific Railroad.

On the FIRST page will be found acondens-
cd report Of the Secretary OF War, IN relas
ton to the Ave different routes that has
been surveyed, and their relative advanta-'
ges.
We agree with Mr.. Bennett, that the rouss
of Major Stephens is too far north, at least
Tor the present, almost going to the extreme
north Of our Territories, and extending Its
advantages to q very limited number; Pu-
gets SQUAD, the Pacific starting point, being
in latitude 48 degrees, and ST. paul's, Min
nesota. the other commencement, latitude
Is degrees. This might do, if practicable,
in connection with Canada, the government
of which have given charter for the con-
structioa Of road, with the privilege OF
uniting with one In the United States with
some such union to tighten the expense, this
might do for side route, but not for the
great leading trunk road, which, IN
commercial as we'll as military point of
view. should be free from all international
embarrassments.
We don't believe the statement in relation
20 the Mormon route being rongher than the
other. Why do emigrants 60 that way? II
buffalo don't know the best track, men do;
and hundreds of thousands have passed that
route.
Benton's road being discarded, there is no
need of referring to it; but before We left
Utah, we have heard the same thing detinite-
ly stated by many who are familiar with the
mountains and their passes.
The fourth route, of the 35th parallel, If
not reported SO bad, might do; but 1t Is too
far south, being about eight degrees south
Of San Francisco. 1t commences at Fort
smith, some three or four hundred miles
from the mouth Of the Arkansas liver, Oh
the Mississippi, which Is about 5uO miles
south of St., Louis, on the Mississippi
river.
The next route, the fifth, and most South
ern, may be cheaper, but is not so feasible.
To pass over an immense desert OF thou
sand miles without wood or water Is some
thing more than joke, again 1t Is too lar
South for practical purposes, on great
national highway; TO go by way OF Texas,
New Mexico, Ell Passo and the Gila, might
be convenient for some of the most South
ern States; but 1t certainly would not an
sWer for the Eastern, Western and North
en- This route has the advantages OF easy
grade and being free from snow, viii n would
certainly make it pleasant Winter route (;
but so clrcuitous, so barren, and so far re-
moved from legitimate channels OF trade,
that it cannot succeed as the Paclhc route,
ut any rate We do not fear it as a rival. The
more we examine this subject, the stronger
is our conviction thtt the first great Pacific
Railroad will be what is called THE Nor
mon Route ;" our reasons are briefly as
follows:
First as to direethess. San Francisco Is
destined to be the great Metropolis of our
Western coast; its present advancement In
population, agriculture, trade, commerce,
aud above all It's magnificent bay, render 1t
unequalled, on the Pacific coast. The par
allel of San Francisco is about one degree
south of St. Louis, passes through Missouri,
the south ends Of Illinois and Indiana; north
Of Kentucky and through the centre OF Viz
ginia by looking at map any one would
be convinced that ii would not be to the in
terest of any of the States, for two hundred
miles south Of this line, TO go round by Tex
as and for all the States north, 1t would
be out of the question. Again, the main
arteries of communication by Eallro&d go
north of this add to this the ONO and Its
tributaries. the Missouri and Illinois rivers,
as we'll as the lakes, all tend TO this route,
nathing can be more demo 1stratlve on this
point. than view Of the vast number Of
Rail roads covering the Eastern and West
ern States like great network, all OF which
demand an outlet, great leading arterle TO
the Pacific, not round by Texas and back to
San Francisco, but on the direct legitimate
channels Of trade; when we calmly invest
igate the subject, the preponderance OF this
route is overwhelming
Ii any farther evidence Is wanted TO con-
vince US of the superiority sf the Mormon
route, ii will be found Ia some recent dis
coyeries of Messrs. Huntington & Reese,
who. since the report Of the Government en-
gineers, have discovered NV route be-
tween Salt Lake City and Carson valley,
which cuts off one hundred and fifty miles IN
distance. and is more even than the other
route. We are satisfied on this point.
Again, there are railroads already IN oper-
alton leading TO this route.
Pass from Pennsylvania, an southern
branch, to Cincinnati, and there is rail-
road in progress, going direct to 81. Louis !;
passing that westward, up the Missouri, on
what IS called the Pacific Railroad, and you
strike of almost directly west. The same
will apply to al-imore and Washington. II
little farther north, you go through Pitts
burg, Columbus, Indianapolis, and Terra
haute, to Alton, and then again up the Pa
cihc from St. Louis
Taking more northerly route from New
York or Boston TO Albanv,by Buffalo, ,Clcve-
land, Michigan City, Chicago, and 50 on
to Peru, lock Island, or Burlington; thence,
as in contemplation, TO iewa City, Bluff
City, and up the Platte River, to join the
st. Louis Pacific Railroad. These are the
most feasible and natural routes, and c'm-
bine the most advantages for trade; add to
this, the great lake and river trade; and the
numerous railroads between these great
leading trunks already mentioned all a.
oapted to sustain great railroad legitim-
ateIy, and inviting into its ample embrace
the rich treasures of the Pacific This looks
more natural than going round the immense
circuit of Texas, New Mexico, the Ell Passo,
aai the Gila, which some have been pleased
TO designate ''the nearest way to the Pa
cifc.''
In goiEs both these other routes you pass
ALwo,Th Sba Mormon settlements. where