The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-05-04
The Rallr0ad.

We should not consider that we had
done al our duty as local journalists were
we longer to neglect urging the people
here to energetic action in regard to the
construction of railroad to this place.
We have heretofore had something to say
in advocacy Of this enterprise, although
with little apparent result yet We do not
intend to abandon the subject until our
people shall have actually secured for
themselves the advantages Of communi-
cation by railroad with navigable water.
About one year since tho people here
seemed to take a lively interest in the
matter-seemed to be fully awake TO their
own interests and ready to furnish sub
stantiNl means to the extent Of their abl.
ity TO further the work. BY vote nearly
unanimous the citizens here authorized q
tax sufficient to obtain survey. A sur
vey has been made, and most favorable
report presented by tho Engineer, show
ing not only that the route is practicable
and Of easy grade, but that the road can
be built for a reasonable sum Of money,
and that the Investment will give profit
able return TO the stockholders. We have
also been assured that, if the people most
directly TO be benefited would do their
reasonable part in the premises, sufficient
capital was and is really to be furnished
to supply the iron. rolling stock and other
material necessary to be imported for the
completion of the road and for putting
the same into operation. Since this pros
porous commencement and favorable re-
port our citizens seem to have fallen into
an unaccountablc apathy. This has been
caused, to some extent, doubtless, by the
litigation in regard ~ the validity Of the
tax, and by the course pursued by some
of our wealthy men, from whom, il ap.
pears, no pccnniary aid or aura ,s,et.t
in any way can be expected. These things,
although We would wish them otherwise,
should not too much discourage the mass
Of the people, for the enterprise is practi.
cable, even without the aid of those who
oppose. 1t is often the case that men of
wealth ale not foremost in advancing
public improvements, although they are
not backward in investing in = venture
which has been proved to be profitable.
1t cannot DO necessary to repeat here
the many substantial advantages which
would arise to this city and county from
the completion Of the road. Every citi.
zen would share in the advantages in
greater or less degree. From the time a
road should be completed to this place,
the increase here in wealth, population
and commercial Importance would be
much beyond anything We have hitherto
experienced.
But the time has now come when i'm.
mediate and decisive action must bc tax.
en-, or VIC may lay aside all hope Of ever
seeing the iron horse coming as a visitor
to Placcrvillc. We see by the reports in
the papers that Auburn and Nevada, with
a better appreciation Of the value of such
public improvements, have already com
plcted arrangements to build road some
distance into Placer county with fair
prospect at an early day to carry the
same far eastward into the passes of the
Sierra Nevada, and perhaps across the
mountains into Utah. We have the best
and shortest and most practicable route.
We have already the greater part of the
Utah trade and travel in and through this
place. Already VIC have derived great
advantages from our favorable position
and excellent route. And the question
is, are VIC willing to surrender to others
what we now enjoy and can SO easily re.
tain! Trade and travel will inevitably
pursue the route by which a railroad
most nearly approaches the silver region.
And il such road shall be built to the
north Of us, and none here, VIC may soon
expect our present trade and travelling
custom to leave us, and our ilourishing
city to take its place among those dilapi.
dated towns, so numerous in this State,
"who have seen their best days"