The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-09-23

II there ever was project that bid fair
10 further the interests Of our young State.
that project was the building Of the Fort
Ridgley and South Pass wagon road, II
was hailed by oil ~ a great work From
the time Of the first American settlement
10 California to the present, the pioneers Of
the Mississippi had been endeavoring TO find
the most advantageous overland route to the
Pacific; and this wagon road, over one of
the shortest and easiest OF the hither TO
discovery routes, seeTel 10 promise TO the
emigrants Of the northwest an easy journey
TO the Pacific, and looked also to time
when Il should become the line OF q noble
railway connecting the two great oceans of
the globe But its interest 20 Minnesota
was OF even more importance than this. Il
appears destined TO draw q very large por.
ton OF the Pacific emigration through our
own borders and the advantages II possess.
cd over all the southern routes or any more
northern route were such AZ to encourage
the hopes Of even the most ardent, and to
enlist the sympathies and services Of oil true
Mlnnesotans IN its behalf. Under these
auspices two successive appropriations were
obtained, and every one looked forward TO
an early completion OF the road.
But here appears 10 have commenced the
misfortune OF the undertaking. After every
unfavorable obstacle had been removed
after the only anticipated difficulties had
been overridden, and the way paved for the
great enterprise. new difficulties presented
themselves, in the shape Of delays and equiv.
ocations on the part OF those TO whom Con.
grcss had coniided the SUPPLEMENTARY OF
Of the road and these delays were not only
aggrayating, but were, as time has proved,
death TO the success OF the enterprise.
OF the middle and western sections Of this
wagon road. We know but little but with
the workings Of the eastern division. which
fell under the immediate supervision OF Col.
W. II, MOBILES, We are well acquainted,
having formed part II il almost from its
commencement, and marked well the whole
OPERATION.
In the expedition Of 1857. even in the
start, Col, MOBILES was hampcred by delays.
Vouchers werC returned unhonored, because
he bought codfsh-bccause be bought dried
truit-becauee he bought oxen-in short,
because be Dough, numerous things necessa
ry TO the health Of the men or the success
Of the expedition. Six weeks passed over
in this way at ST. Paul. Again Il was de.
layed at the Big Sioux River from similar
causes. The cost of these delays may be
estimated safely at $4,000 so ,ha, instead
OF a $4,000 appropriation, Col. Noblts 10
reality had but S32 900.
Who was to blame in this, We DO no, pre-.
tend 10 say but that no part Of these de.
lays, by which the success OF the eypolition
was defeated, can, with any show Of Justice,
be attributed TO Col. MOBILES, we feel conf.
dent lie was the originator Of the proiect:
the life and soul OF the hopes II its support.
crs; and the main instrument in lis iirst sue.
sesscs With him i, was labor Of Iowa
work in which be took pride. as well in its
origin as its completion and every one &C.
quainted with the facts. will testify TO the |
energy with which he prosecuted the bust.
ness entrusted TO him, whenever be found |
himself free to work. A single fact will |
prove this.
Col. MOBILES left ST. Paul with his party
fully equipped, without having received .
single dollar Of the $4,000 appropriation