The hydraulic press., 1859-02-05
DowNIEvILLE ROAD.

route could be opened between those
two places by way of the Empire Ranch
and North San Juan. 1t was truthfully
represented that such route is almost
completely made to our hands, -an ex-
ceilent road existing between Marysville
and this place, and from here to the
Flat between Fred's Ranch and the City
of Six; there remaining for its thorough
completion only the grading of the hill
between the City of Six and the Flat
We stated that all the labor necessary
to effect this grading and improvement
would not cost to exceed twelve thOus-
and dollars, and that considerable por-
ton of the money would be promptly
subscribed in this vicinity. Advocating
the opening of this direct and easy route
without any feeling of local rivalry, or
desire to retard the prosecution of any
other road schemes, but with sincere
wish to promote the common welfare of
all places along it's line, the cool recep-
ton which the project met has been ra-
Their surprising. One paper, to be sure,
in each of the two termini, has noticed
it,-but one to misapprehend and the
other to condemn. Neither advanced
against it any irrefutable arguments,
though the Downieville Democrat dis
covered that we had been misinformed
concerning the hight Of Downieville
Hill. This error does not invalidate the
statement with which it was connected,
namely: that "the grade on the Downie-
vile hill can be safely established at
from twelve to twenty inches to the rod. ;"
We still maintain this to be correct, and
are acquainted with an experien ced
mountain road maker, one well acquain-
ted with the route, who stands ready to
contract to do the grading for the sum
already stated. More than this; we
know that loaded wagons have frequent
ly gone into Downieville by the route
proposed, and that only in July last, a
six mule team drew into that place, at
one load, 8,160 pounds of freight.
We can understand how the business
men of Downieville, being committed
in favor of the Sierra Turnpike, and
having, perhaps, already largely invest
ed their means in aid of that enterprise,
should exhibit Indifference or opposition
to the San Juan route; but why the
ambitious citizens of Marysville should
act in the same manner, is not so clear.
That city aims to be, and is, we be-
lieve, destined to be the metropolis of
the Northern interior, and it is not con-
sistent with its interests to oppose, or
even passively overlook, any practicable
project tending to facilitate communica-
ton with populous section of country.
For the interests of Marysville there
cannot be too many roads connecting it
with an extensive gold region. 1t is
bad policy for its business men to COM
NIT themselves in favor of any one route
as against all others. Let them encour-
age, as they do, the Sierra Turnpike,
but let them not be blind to the great
advantages which would ultimately re-
suit from the completion of the route
via North San Juan. The latter would
Immediately connect them with very
many thriving mining centers on this
ridge-which is dotted with towns at
intervals of from three to eight or ten
miles-and it would also lead to a bus
mess connection with the country be-
tween Deer Greek and the South Yuba.
Even Downieville might favor this
project, without fear of detriment to
her interests. She occupies, and can
maintain, a position of prosperity and
independence; and her advantages would
only be increased by increasing her ia
cilities for communication with the low
er world
Upon this same thing measurably de-
ponds the permanence of many mining
towns. Give them easy and rapid con-
nection with the cities and valleys, and
people will not be 10th to make gener-
GUS investments and build lasting homes
in their midst. This is one amongst
| nany WAGONS uhu wo advooata fhis