New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-07-01

of lands from certain Indian tribes located in
the Kansas Valley, through which the road
was to run; and in 1861 this project culml-
mated in treaty securing the privilege of pur.
chase fron. the Deawares and Potawatomies
at a nominal price, of nearly SIX hundred
thousand acres of the very choicest lands on
the continent. Iu the hands of rich compa-
nv. this endowment alone would have suiiieed
TO construct the road for several hundred
miles, but the owners of the franchise were
unable TO advance the moneys needed for the
work. and the breaking out Of the2 Rebellion
rendered it impossible for them to secure the
necessary means for even it's commencement
Under these circumstances, they deemed II
wise 10 strike hands with those parties who
we're soliciting aid from Congress for the bui!G-
ing of the general line of Railway to the Pa'
cifc. of which this road was so important por-
ton. The State of California was asking help
for it's "Central Railroad" extending from
the Pacific Ocean to Nevada; and Missouri
and Iowa we're especially anxious to make their
respectiye systems tho medium Of the rich
commerce which already began to dispense its
fertIizing influences between the Colorado gold
fields and the Atlantic. So the Kansas and
California Companies united the conteLdlng
interests of the older and richer corporations
of the more eastern States; and the result Of
this combined action was the Act Of Congress
of 1862 lending Federal credit aud giving pub
lie lands to the construction Of these terminal
roads, and an intermediate main line across
the great Plains and the Rocky Mountains.
Congress was undoubtedly wise in incorpc-
stimulate the interests Of different. sections.
All the States of the North (tbe South had al
ready seceded) admitted that a grand trunk
road wa needed but different localities con
made to provide for a single line from the
Tooth meridian westward TO California. and
three branches from that point eastward to the
Missouri river; which stream-tbe limit OF ex-
isting lines of Atlantic railways, as well as the
eastern boundary OF tho great interior plains OF
the Continent--was reasonably assumed 10 be
the proper commencement of the Pacific system.
The law once passed, the country waited
expectant for capitalists to come forward ANA
accep, the conditions. That these were liberal,
none could deny Fifty millions Of dollars, and
lands sufficient TO found dozen European
Princpallt.es, given to aid in the construction
air ttVI
from the hour OF its completion, formed al en-
dowment which the term nunitceht is made
duato 70 describe. But, unfortunately, either
there were radical defects in the law, or the
comprehct sion OF our money kings was not up
10 the splendid opportunity offered them; for.
although year has passed since the bill be-
came a Law, The Union Pacific Railroad Com
pany IA still unorganzed. Its stock mainly un-
.till born-dead without having lived; failing 10
exit by default Of formal complances with the
provisions OF the law, without which 1t lach'
even the necessary infancy OF MI anticipated
strong aud vigorous maturity. AZ no company.
in the legal sense, has been organized, OF course
no legal power Las ever been acquired - give
to the Secretary OF the Interior the reInrcd
rotice OF acceptance of the conditions o. The
a;.-a failure to do which before the lst dsy
of July. 1858, becomes fatal TO the enterprise.
II ia fortunate, however, that Congress do
not depend for the bulding OF the great mid.
die division of the road, upon this prospective
II II ,,f,. ii h. ~
failure OF any efficient organization. and pro-
yded remedy. There could be little doubt
that the California aud Kansas roads-both
located in States already greatly needing their
and the later richly endowed
would be- built aud stipulations were included in
the act, BY which, when these reads are com
pleted, they can construct The entire Iine, and re-
reive oil the grants and privileges which We're
10 have Injured to the benefit Of the interme-
lIste corporation.
The wisdom Of these provisions is already |
apparent; for capitalists, who had doubts about
be practcabi.ity of organizing the company
chartered by Congress, have come forward aud
purchased the franchise of the Kansas company !
N ample season to rescue from forfeiture the
privileges it had acquired. Their first act was
10 change the name Of the road, as the laws
,f Kansas permitted them to do, from the
= I.eayenwsrth, Pawnee and Western Rail. |
road" 10 the Union Pacific Railway, Eastern
this being necessary in order to
make the public acquainted with its real loca-
..J al ha
inest Wiley tor railway purposes in the West;
connecting with both the d" Hannibal and ST.
Joseph Railroad" and the Pacific Railroad"
If Missouri, and SO located as to draw into its
.Lann.I .hn n,,rr..nta nf trail, IN hnfh Cnlnradn