Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-12-25
Southern Pacific Railroad.

Southern Pacific Railroad.
SOME one has sent US copy Of the
Railroad Record, extra. This number
is devoted solely 10 the interests OF the
Texas Western Railroad Company. A
map accompanies the document, which
is designed to illustrate tho course OF
trade between Europe and Asia across
The continent.
The principal article is letter from
T. BUTLER KING, to WM. B. AsroR,
ERAsrus CORNING, and other capitalists
OF New York. 1t fills eight columns Of
the Record, and is explanatory Of the
present condition Of the company. the
route, and country through which the
Railroad is to pass. The principal
points Of the Road will be Shreveport,
or o point near there on the Eastern Dor.
der of Texas, Ell Paso, through Chihua'
hua, Sonora. to the junction Of the Gila,
and Colorado Rivers, and thence through
California to San Diego on the Pacific,
The proposed line will as nearly as
practicable, follow the S2d parallel o
North latitude, from the Mississippi Riv.
er to the Pacific Ocean. Mr.. King
sums up in an able manner the nrgu'
ments in favor OF the Southern route
He states that the altitude Of the noun
tain summit is 1000 feet less BY the Ell
Paso, .hen it is by tie middle or ST.
Louis and Salt Lake route /; that its near.
er approach to the tropics will avoid the
deep SHOWS, which would become very
serious obstruction on the more northern
route.
An accurate survey Of this route has
already been made by competent gov
ernment engineers. The distances and
estimates are as follows:
The distance from the Eastern border
of Texas to the Rio Grande near El
Paso, all the way through Texas, 7sa
miles. Total estimate Of cost through
Texas, $40, 900, 900, making the average
cost. little over $4,000 per mile
From the Rio Grande 57s miles through
New Mexico, to the junction Of the
Gila and Colorado, on the Eastern lin
its Of California. The cost Of this di.
vision is estimated at SIG, ,200,8ss.
Thence, from the Western border o
New Mexico 26O miles through Califor
mia to San Diego, on the Pacific, max
ing the total cost through California
so,OOO,OOO, or about $4,000 per mile
The total length Of the Road would
be 1921 miles, and the estimate cos,
from Shreveport to the Pacific abou
$4,000, 1000.
The State Of Texas has granted eish
sections Of land per mile, for 1873 mile.
Of this road, which at its estimated val
ne is worth orty.6ve millions Of dollars
more than sufficient to build the Roat
through Texas. The construction o
this vast railway is one Of the grandes
objects that cun attract the attention o
the American people, or Of the ~orld.--
If any power exists in Congress, to LOAF
the surplus money in the Treasury, w
say by all means the object is worth.
the attention Of tho government, and
the government can be secured, let
loan this company ten or twenty mil
lions, with which to commence th
grand enterprise. Texas has taken hol
Of this great work, in manner bscom
ing the enterprising character Of he
people.
| The building Of such thoroughfar
as is here contemplated, through Texas
New Mexico, and Southern California
will be like opening up new world
| the view Of mankind.
The greater part Of the region throus
which it will pass, is ne the most ir
viting, as to soil and climate on III
globe.
The building Of such Railroa
through Northern Texas will have ter
dency 10 introduce Free Labor 10 all III
Northern part Of tha, S,a!e, and thus ,
augment its population and resource
three times as rapidly as they can no
increase. We do not like the idea {
granting lands TO Railroad purposes. b'
situated as Texas is. her lands are ne
available, neither can they be until sh