The Shasta courier., 1864-10-29
The California and Oregon Railroad Pro.
iacf


The readers Of the Bulletin will remember
that something over year ago the citizens of
the northern part of this State AMI of Oregon
effected an organizations and subscribed mon
ev for che purpose of surveying a route for a
railroad from Marysville or Oroville, Califor
MIA, to Portland, Oregon, and testing the
practicability of constructing such road
S. &. Elliott, who ran the first line for the
Central Pacific Railway, was appointed to
make the survey. and actually completed it
and submitted his report by November last
The report was favorable. The line of the
projected road lies mainly through the level
valleys Of the Sacramento and Wallamett,
the heavy gradients being required to pass
the Siskiyou Mountains The inhabitants
along the route manifested great interest in
the project, and subscribed literally towards
the preliminary work. The press of north.
ern California and of Oregon was unanimnus-
" in its favor, 1t was conceded that such u
road would open market for nearly 500 lin
cal miles of agricultural land. for the lumber
and stune and ores of the northern mineral
regions, and would hasten the develof ment
of the coal, copper and irun mines known to
exist in Northern California and Oregon, be-
sides facilitating travel and the transportation
of the mails through an extensive line of set
length of the surveyed route from Marysville
to Portland is about 635 miles The favorable
report of the Engineer led tn the organization
Of a company in this State and another in Ore
gon both having for their object the construc-
ton of railroad on the line surveyed. The
Legislature, at its session in December, passed
resolution asking Congress to aid these COM
panies by grants of lands, etc., and declaring
that 81 such road, linking itself to the great
Pacific Railway. is necessary for the more
rapid developement Of the resources of this
coast, and as a means for the prompt defense
of our interior. by the rapid concentration Of
troops and military supplies. in case of foreign
war or domestic insurrection. S. G. Elliott
was designated to proceed to Washington and
lay the plans, profleS. maps and statistics OF
the project before Congress. and be secured
for it favorable consideration. A bill was
drawn up, introduced and its passage re-
commended in the House, granting twenty
sections of land per mile, for the whole length
of the road, with tight of w;ry. timber rights,
etc., patents to be issued on the completion
of every section of 20 miles. The bill would
have passed both houses but for the great ac-
cumu alton of business towards the end IF the
session. which prevented it from being reach
ed. 1t will come up again at the session
which begins on the first Monday in Decem-
Der next, and will, we are informed. be sup
ported bv the delegations from this coast
without exception. The project has elected
the attention of Eastern capitalists and rail
road men. some of whom have submitted a
proposition to construct the road from
the summit Of the Siskiyou mountains
to the navigable waters of the Columbia river,
distance of 345 miles. acct riding to the plans
and specifications of Elliott, taking their pay
in bonds, stock and cash. but principally in
bonds and stock. after Congress shall have
extended the expected aid in public lands.
The lower end of the route would probably
be taken in hand on the same terms. The
parties who have made this proposition and
who submit it in writing, are NJ Courtwright.
contractor of the Heusatonie Tunnel and a
heavy railroad operatori in New York Henry
5. kupp, of Pennsylvania, another railroad
man and George NJ. Lauman & Co.. con-
tractors on Pennsylvania, Canada and Yer.
mont railroads, and reputed to be men of
means. The cast of the Oregon end of the
roae will probably reach SIS, ,000. 900 or Sl6.-
O00, 900; that of the California portion will
be considerably less. The project seems a
huge one for two young States to undertake,
but as Eastern and foreign capital looks more
favorably upon Pacific investments than it
did ana Congress is disposed to be liberal.
It NAV be nearer realization than many sup
pose. 1t las certainly been pursued so far
with much determination and the efforts max
ing to carry it out are worthy of record, at
least Rni{efia