New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-11-29
THE UNION PACIFIC RAILWAY,
EASTERN DIVISION.


oceanic traffic which awaits such thorough
fare, we believed that the road, once built, must
prove remunerative for the capital employed,
and accordingly we have spoken well of it as a
means for investment; but, at the same time,
We realized so strongly its national importance,
that we advocated the extension of such Gov
eminent aid, judciously appropriated, as would
secure It's completion without needless delay.
This suggestion has been approved by the
people and Congress has prcfiered the capital
lists OF the country such muniiicent subsidies
as will make the building Of the road one of the
richest spcculations Of even this period OF vast
and sudden fortunes. Almost extreme in their
literally, they have provided for such variety of
branches to connect with tho main trunk where
it commences on the threshold of the great
plains, that every section Of the eager North
will be supplied with equal means for making
direct connection. and for improving its adj
vantges in full.
Among these branches is one commencing at
the confluence of tho Missouri and Kansas
rivers, and pushing up the valley OF the latter
nearly four hundred miles till it reaches the
commencement of the main line at the Tooth
meridian Of longitude. The importance OF
this branch is apparent. II penetrates the
richest region Of the immense area stretching
from the Missouri River to the mountains, and
connects directly with the whole country east
of that river, lying south Of Iowa and the other
extreme Northern States.
The local value Of this line was perceived at a
very early period, and measures were taken, in
advance of any legislation by Congress, to Sc
cure its construction. In 1855, charter was
obtained for il from the Legislature OF Kansas,
under the name Of 1.-THE Leavenworth, Pawnee,
and Western Railroad;" and this corporation
was afterward enriched by the acquisition of
over half million acres Of the finest lands In
Kansas, purchased from resident Indian tribes,
by treaty, at a mere nominal price. This en-
dowment alone was sufficient to justify capital
lists in building the road, so certain are Its
sources of lucrative business; but il became no
barrier to the bestowal by Congress of the same
grants and subsidies which were given to other
portions, not similarly enriched, OF the great Pa
cfo Railway system.
Mr.. Samuel Hallett, Of this city, in The
Spring of 1868, perceived the tempting features
of this enterprise, and at once negotiated for It's
control. The history Of the Union Pacific
Railway, Eastern Division" Us II was re-
chrisiened We do not propose to write; the I'M
happy complications between Mr.. Halleit
and his associates have been made a subject of
public discussion, and even of Congressional
action, sld so greatly embarrassed the prosecu-
ton Of the work that, he'd il been in hands less
energetic, they would have proved fatal to Its
progress. As il was, the enterprise was only
saved by the aid of Mr.. Thomas G. Durant'
who came TO the rescue az a critical moment
and supplied the means necessary TO continue
the work These complications it now APP
pears, have been greatly increased by tie death
of Mr.. Hallott, which leaves the road OFF,
caly in the hands Of parties destitute OF practi'
cal railroad experience, but who seem intent
upon Staying, and carving and dividing their
goose, instead Of waiting for the golden eggs
which she was on tho point Of laying for their
mutual benefit Almost their first act Is re-
pudiation of the construction contract made
with Mr.. Hallett, under (which everything
has been done that has ever been; and add-
tional meshes are industriously being woven III
the network Of litigation, which bids far to
prove fatal to all hopes of speedy completion.
As matters now stand, some hali-a-dozcn
parties are pleading legal and equitable rights
sufficient TO entitle them TO control. The own
ership and official management is disputed by
two distinct claimants of the same stock; and
two rival contracts for the construction are ex-
tant, with fair inference that there is by this
time third. The first and second, at all events,
have been repudiated by the Board OF Directors.
Stock to the extent Of some millions Of dollars,
has shared the same fate, and for the same pur.
poses. Two sets Of Construction Bonds have
been issued by the same Board, the first Of
which has been cane led, while we believe the
same destiny impends over the second. It
necessarily results that the company cannot es-
cape great injury to its financial and mo
credit, and that the expected aid from Govern.
ment has become the subject Of fierce contest
by the rival interests. Even the parties to the
contract under which Mr.. Hallett nearly com.
pleted the first forty miles, are quaueling over
the rights which it is claimed that his death has
unsettled Everybody is fettered by injunc.
tons from the courts preliminary to legal strug.
giles which bid fair to endure for years. Mean.
time, the work drags heavily; and, unless rem.
edy for this madness Of mal.admnistration can