The hydraulic press., 1860-04-21
MOUNTAIN WAGON ROADS.

nigh, discussion on the topic of transmon-
tame wagon roads is resumed, and energetic
action for their construction becomes more
necessary. Every county bordering on the
silver regions, from Plumas north to Mari
posa south, distance of nearly two hun
dred miles, has its projected road pointing
to common terminus, over which it is be-
leved will flow a stream Of freight and
travel to the great profit of the circumjacent
country. That all of these roads would
prove directly profitable is not likely, even
if the travel to and from Washoe should
equal in amount the general expectation
But for the welfare of the State al large, and
particularly for the benefit of the mountain
communities, it is to be hoped they may all
be built before the excitement which in
spired them shall have died away, as it
surely will.
Next to railways, good wagon roads are
works of the greatest utility in developing
the resources and increasing the population
and wealth of a country. Without them,
there can be no inland commerce, for inter
change of products would be impossible
The people of the mountain regions must
construct numerous arteries of communica
ton before they can lay hold of that genuine
prosperity which depends upon diversity of
pursuits. They must have easily graded
highways over which to transport to the
lower country their lumber, marble, granite,
paving stones, fre-wood, lime, coal. perhaps
iron and other metals, leather, wool, fruits
and wines, in exchange for the raw and
manufactured products of the valleys and
cities, and for such articles of necessity and
luxury as have to be imported. If Western
Utah settles up, there will be still better
market for mountain products, including a
wider assortment OF the products of the soil,
such as hay and vegetables. The focks of
sheep that will be raised hereafter will be
needed on the eastern slope for mutton
whittier also must go the lumber that now
stands in swaying forests on many noun
epiu oiOpS anu euN viz "uhu"A PAS
duct of which will ultimately exceed in
value the entire gold yield of the same re-
gions.
We believe there are enough who appre-
ciate the Importance of these road projects
to insure their realization this year, and we
have no words but those of encouragement
for every highway now contemplated. The
Downieville andMarysville newspapers would
like to see some of them abandoned. They
urge the friends of the Truckee Turnpike,
which is proposed to be built for the purpose
of placing all the towns of northern Nevada
and southern Sierra upon the line of direct
road from Marysvile to Utah through the
Henness Pass, to unite with the friends of
the Jamison route and build a road across
the mountains. from Downieville, through
Beckwonrth's Pass. The latter is splendid
enterprise for northern Sierra and Yuba
counties, and we hope to see it successful
but it cannot accommodate the country
which will be benefited by the Henness
Pass road, because it defects too far to the
northward, making the distance from thirty
to fifty miles greater, and crossing several
high ridges. 1t is superior route for
winter road, admittedly, the pass through
which it goes being lower than either the
Yuba Gap or Henness Pass. and the deep
snow line but about six miles wide. Hence
it has been kept open all this severe season
with but comparatively little trouble, and
on Monday last was traversed by 400 packed
mules and horses, cattle, hogs and sheep.
But the Henness Pass route is nearly
straight line to the summit and down the
eastern slope, keeping we'll up on the ridge
on this side so that light and nearly uni
form grade can be obtained, and it accom-
modates a large section that the other could
not Whenever stations are built along 1T,
as they will be this summer, it can be easily
kept open at all seasons. For good part
of its length it traverses beautiful mountain
vallies that are already occupied for grazing
and haying purposes, and will some day be
cultivated. A lateral road connecting the
two routes might prove advantageous, and
will doubtless be constructed as soon as it
is wanted. At present, it is best for the in
terests of all concerned that attention should
be concentrated upon the building Of the
main roads. There is no occasion for the
least rivalry between the various transmon-
tame roads. Each is needed for the conve-
nience and development of theregion through
which it goes, whether there be extensive
mines in Western Utah or not; then let each
be built, and each stand on its own merits.
Rosa Bonheur, the renowned French
painter of animals, who says she is welded
-. Go1.R E.