Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-07-10
From the Railroad Resord.l
The Pacinc Railroad Before the Coun-

NJ
try.
We have already noticed the fact, that the
Democratic Convention, assembled at Cincin-
natl, recommended Congress 10 do what it
constitutionally could, for the Pacific Road.
We have DOW to notice also the fact, that
the Republican Convention, assembled at
Philadelphia, has endorsed in strong Lam
guage, the construction Of that road. II may
be taken, therefore, as an assured fact, that
the public sentiment ofthe nation is in favor
of the Pacific Railroad, and that Congress in
not only authorized, but required TO take
some positive steps on this subject What
skall they be =?
1t seems 10 be pretty well settled, that a
grant of lands on the one hand, and an ad-
vance payment Of mileage for the transport
tation of mails and troops. are the only prop
er methods of accomplishing anything ef-
fectual. We cannot see why this plan should
not be adopted, or why it should not accom-
plish the object Suppose that there are two
roads actually made-one by the middle or
Platte route, and one by Ell Paso: the cost
of both will not reach what mary people
imagined some years since that one rsad
would cost. The Texas road, allowing for
all contingencies, viii not cosf over SO. .60o.--
600; aud the other is now. we believe, re-
duced to about SlO00o00OO. If economy
could be evinced, we have no doubt both
may be made for that But, granting there
is not economy, we believe tsoo h,tndred mill
ions will cover beth branches. Suppose the
government were indirectly TO furnish halfo
that, viz: $l00.000.000, where would be tAe
difficulty Suppose they give 5000 per
mile, for fifteen years, for transportation Of
the mails, and give this only when each Sec
ton Of so miles is made. That is, when so
miles are made, and their malls and freights
begin to be transported, then they pay in ad-
vance for Is years use Of that so miles,
This is S450OO0. or $1,000 per mile Now.
at the same time, they give 30 sections Of
land per mile, or 800 sections o. G6C0O
acres. which is 13. 200 acres per mile which
again at 81 rs per acre is SIC, 500 per mile.
Both grants are equal 10 little more than
half the supposed cost of the road and
on the basis Of this, there can doubtless be
found sufficient capital to accomplish tho
object
This. we believe, is really about the plan
which the friends Of the measure viii propose
in Congress. II seems to be fully sustained
by the people, and il carried out by inpar-
tial legislation, and by the hands of energet-
ic companies, we believe will be entirely.
successful. Among the reasons which should
prevail for the construction Of Pacific Road
are the Immense mining districts lying in the
California Boyia. In this, we do not allude
merely to gold, vast as the value OF that sr-
ticle mined there Is. We speak Of the nu-
merous important and valuable metals found
there, and in such immense quantities a. 70
render their transportation alone great tssi-
ness. l4
1. of gold, we will say this, that sfter
eight years Of constant mining, in which
about four hundred millions Of dollars have
been obtained, these mines are found to be
inexhaustable. The gold lies imbedded in
every mountain, stream and vale.
2. Copper. Wehave noticed heretofore, the
new copper mines of Ajo, in the Gadsden
Purchase. This mine is very productive, and
it seems almost incredible, but is 50, this
copper is wagoned, all the way from the
Colorado to San Diego, and thence TO San
Francisco; and after this expensive trsns-
portation, is yet very profitable Although
we have the rich mines ofLake Superior and
Of Eastern Tennessee, yet copper is still 50
high priced as 10 afford an immense profit
3. Slluer 1anes 1t is well proven, that
the richest mines Of silver ever discovered,
were in the Mexican Province Of Sonora
OF that province the richest mineral district
is annexed to this country, by the Gadsden
Purchase. The locality Of the best mines,
which on account Of Indian attacks, and in /,
secure rights, were abandoned many years
ago, has not been exactly ascertalned, but no
question is made Of their existence and
there is no ressoable doubt they can be dis
covered. Indeed, we expect to record, with
in few months, the re-discovery Of the old
mines, and the commsncement Of new Ones
Our supply viii, we doubt not be obtained
from these, and when it happens. our coun-
trymen will open their eyes with astonish-
ment.
In addition 10 the facts we have stated
above, we may add, that coal is ascertai 1ed
to exist in several places in the Texas Route.
This is an important fact because il viii
greatly aid the construction end running Of
the road.
Thus we see, there are both strong reasons
and clear public sentiment for the conStruc-
ton Of the Pacific Railroad.