The Shasta courier., 1856-03-01
The Yreka Wagon Read--Fncfs ana

eson, and an outlet for trade through the great
Sacramento Valley will do much 10 increase the
wealth of the State OF California. and thus we
are all Interested.
We also say, that good wagon road connect
ing the Sacramento Valley with Yrekn is feasl-
BILE; and further, that unless effort is made 10
secnre the trade and travel through this portion
of the Slate. it will find an avenue through Cres-
cent city, aud The northern California and Ore
gon ports.
This then being the case not only are we, but
The inhabitants OF Sacramento, Colusi, and the
country lying between Sacramento City and the
mountains he'd ging in the Sacramento Valley, in
ieresied in the building Of a good wagon road
from the head Of the Sacramento Valley 10
Yreka.
If we only show capitalists That the stock
will pny good investment. xe feel certain that
the road can be built.
Well, let US see what will be The obable
amount Of freight, and what the value of the
travel, over this road, shown from actual data.
a short time since our neighbors of the RspuJ-
iican published the following as the result of
received in The town Of Shasta, each month, ex-
cuding The products of the soil of this and ad-
joining countless sere, hundred fons of freight. Of
this, one-hird is used in Shasta, or for the sake
OF greater security we will say one-half. That
would leave freight of three hundred and ftfy
toms to be disposed of elsewhere. Suppose one
half of this, one hundred and seucnty.f fire TONS
are taken this road every month. Then
suppose that each four mule team would haul
two tons-ihese, of itself would require three
hundred and fifty mules and eighty-seven wag-
ons, which would be equal, going and return
ing, 10 seven hundred mules and one hundred
and seventy-fve wagons each month, or six wag-
ons and twenty-four mules per day.
Now for the cost Of the road
A committee composed of business men from
Shasta and Yreka, accompanied by practical
engineer, travelled over one road leading from
Shasta 10 Yreka, for the purpose of indging of
the feasibility of building wagon road between
the points designated, and reported, that 80
build the road, erect bridges, &C., the sum of
fifty thousand dollars would be required but
say, that the estimate is safe one, and that the
real cost would rather fall beior han above their
estimate. (The other route has not been viewed
with an eye to such an improvement, although
it is the one usually travelled, and may and per-
haps is. as eligible the Sacramento route
Then let suppose. for the sake of the argu-
ment that the road Will cost fifty thousand dol
lars 10 the head of Scots or Shasta Valley, and
that the freight is what we suppose, the road
being eighty miles long which tolls would
| be collected, and we will see that very small
TOLL would pay heavy interest on the outlay.
4 The interest on The capital required would only
be thousand dollars per month at two per
CENT and toll of four dollars on each mule
/ team would pay fourteen hundred dollars per
month. leaving clear balance, after paying in
I tcres, of nearly onc-half of the nfercst to the
Stockholders upon the freight alone.
4 Eui then the statistics show that the frarel 10
Shasta pays nearly oue-half much as the
I Freight, which would necessarily be added to
the profits; for the road has already overpad
4 The interest OF The money required for It's con-
l structlon, and the travel would be clear profit
We have no disposition to deceive the public or
4 ourselves and consequently make what we be-
lieve to be liberal calculations against the rond
We are convinced, for all experience proves
The fact that good road would increase the
/ travel, at more ihsn ratio equal to the wear
aud tear, and that the profits would be perma-
! nenf
| But the question, how is the road to be built,
| is still open.
| The Legislature, on the oand of April II S53.
passed an. act for the incorporation of wagon
road companies the provisions of which, to.
gether with the act concerning corporations,
furnish the answer.
The act concerning corporations gives the
right 10 use corporate name, TO sue and be
sued' TO purchase property, to appoint officers,
to make bylaws, and transfer its stock Ii also
provides for calling the first meeting and is
very specific in its directions and provisions.
The act IN regard to wagon roads, above re-
ferred TO, provides that the Court of Sessions. or
Board Of Supervisors. may grant license alter
proper notice by publication, and after three
hundred dollars per mile has been subscribed.
and they are also authorized to grant a license
for ten years
THIS enterprise will but put their shoulders to
the wheel, If they will but act in earnest. a
company can be organized, and in short time
this great work can be in progress
Ihe present existing laws referred to may
need some alterations, and as experience shall
Poin' out the required changes, the Constitution
has provided for the same in the following Ian.
suase; ''All general laws and special acts
passed pursuant to this section, (sect. 8. under
titie OF Legislative Department may be altered
IRON time to time, or repealed"
But II is action we want-not words W.
have shown that corporation can be formed
(ihat the work is needed all admit, that i, will
pay handsome profit and we now most earn.
es'y call upon the good people of the north. 10
aid us IN forming company for the purpose of
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