The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-12-16
The Southern Pacific Railroad a north
era Measure.

OF the two overland mail routes to CAL
fornia, running from St. Louis southwest,
via III Paso, and west, through Utah, via
Placerville, the Southern route, which ter
inmates, in fact, practically at Memphis,
has proved itself indisputably superior to
the middle or Placerville route. The pub
lie is already familiar with the time made
by BUrrERYIgLD's stages over the former
line-usually about twenty five days--pret-
ty bard and pretty expensive pushing, to
be sure-but that is the minimum time made.
OF the achievements Of the via Media
the straight and narrow path through the
land Of the Saints-we have no very clear
report Of the Pilgrims progress, except that
it was impeded by Hills Of Difficulty and
Valleys Of Tribulaton, which seem to adapt
it better good deal for an allegorical
road to Heaven for the Saints, than for
practical and carnal route to California for
mere sinners, given over to the lusts Of the
hesh. Our enterprisiDg California CORES.
pendent, however, has afforded rs practi-
cal test Of the comparative time made over
the two routes. OF two letters sent from
San Francisco simultaneously on the l4th
Of October-one by the FL Paso route and
the other by the Placerville and Utah route,
the former reached us on the 18th Of
November, just month on its passage,
and the latter reached US yesterday, the 9th
OF December, nearly two months on its way.
A third letter, sent nearly at the same time,
by steamer, has not yet reached Us. The
in ference is irresistibly in favor Of an over
land route for the transmission Of mails and
proves quite clearly the superiority Of the
Southern route over the other.
The result cannot but be satisfactory to
the friends Of Northern line, who certain.
ly have no interest in throwing the smallest
obstacle in the way Of the extreme South.
ern route. The interests Of the Northwest
would suffer much more from the adoption
Of central route, than from the present
tendency Of Executive patronage. And
while an extreme Southern Railroad line to
the Pacific, by its branches and feeders,
would supersede the necessity Of middle
route, it would throw the whole belt of
States north Of st. Louis upon their own
resources, and unite them in Northern
line 10 the Pacific.
With the middle route out Of the way,
there remains but one channel to the West.
ern Ocean, indicated at one extremity by
the magnificent harborage Of Pugets Sound,
and at the other by the termini Of the great
lines Of inland navigation which have their
apex at St. Paul. We therefore anticipate
without jealousy, the expected recommen-
dation in the Presidents message Of a
Southern Pacific Railroad.
The following extract from the letter of
our correspondent, will give some idea OF
the
"rInEs" IN CALIFORNIA.
The times have been for several years past
quite hard and they still are. Property, rents,
and business Of oil kinds have dropped within
the last three years seventy FIVE per cent. and
even more, in some particulars. For instance,
in the matter OF rents stores that comm nde
$1,000 per month three years since, now rent
for 500 per month. Real estate on an average
is worth $1,000 where three years since 1t resdi.
" commanded $4,000. The bubble has burst
and property has been settling from its culmi
mating period Of imitation, until now think il
has reached its lowest point and healthy con
ditOn; and We may now expect to see il grad
ually advance with the advancing growth and
prosperity Of the State. Al present, every
thing else being equal, real estate is actually
much lower than it was in st. Paul in January
last will give you a single instance. A lot
on Montgomery street (Which bears the same
relation 10 this city as Third street does 10 ST.
PauD and as favOrably located a. a lot any.
where in the neighborhood OF the old Post or
fee in St Paul, 80 by co feet, covered with
frame buildings, is offered for $4,000, about $50
per foot front. Every foo, Of ground on either
side Of this lot, and both sides Of Montgomery
street, lie occupied with business houses, stores
and boarding houses, and we have sixth. five
thousand inhabitants, and the city 10 foil o
money to loan a. one per cent per month with
good real estate security.
Nov in view Of the establishment OF the
overland mail route, which will be followed up
by settlements, furnishing . safe and comfort
able way for emigrAn,s to reach this State. and
in view OF the opposition steamship line, via
TehAutepec and Nicaragua, reducing the ex
penss Of reaching this coast, one haf at least,
there can be no donbt Of the fact that We are
on the threshold Of . new era Of substantial
Advancement and prosperity. This view Of
the case is strengthened, in my mnd, BY the
fact that thi State has greater vitality aud in.
berens power Of reeupera,ion than any other
State in the Uuion. Its not only great asri.