, 1865-11-17
The Mullan Road Again.

literally subscribed SZyUUO toward tnat Pui-
pose. On the strength Of this subscription,
Mr.. Moody proposes to go on with his boat,
and promises by Spring to be ready to navi-
gate the Lake. We are not disposed to dis
courage any project looking to the opening
of either roads or routes; but, really, in this
instance, it appears to US that our Portland
friends are spending their means to little
purpose Admitting that the Pen d'Oreille
route is opened, and that forty miles of
steamboat navigation is secured, and still
the land travel by that route is greater than
by way of the Mullan Road. The PROPOSE
ton appears to be this, that in order to trav-
ell forty miles by steamboat, packers and
teamsters will 60 out of the direct line all
the way from one to two hundred miles. 1t
is possible that this out-of-the-Eay route can
be travelled at all seasons of theA year, and
that in that respect it has the advantage
over the Mullan Road; but the latter route
is known to be practicable nine months out
of the twelve, and being much shorter is
sure to have the preference during the busi-
ness portion of the year. Of all the parties
who have jOurneyed to and fro from the
Blackfoot country, and who as consequence,
may be supposed to speak with authority,
we have yet to meet the individual who did
not endorse the Mullan road, as presenting
advantages over all other routes to the Black
foot mines. We say this, not in the interests
of our own immediate section of country, but
for the reason that we are unwilling to see
the means dissipated. ON a half dozen diff
ferent routes, which expended on one would
give us a good road to the Blackfoot coun-
try. So far as Walla Walla is concerned,
we believe that, let what route may be taken,
she will have her portion of the trade, of
which it is out of the power of rival interest
to deprive her. All the different explora-
tions that have been made, from Stevens
down to Mullan, show that the Pen d Oreile
route is by all odds the longest, and as such
the least desirable way of reaching the Black.
foot country. Knowing this fact, we are at
loss to understand why it is that business
men propose to invest their means in an en-
terprise that promises so little. Take the
season just closed, and of the thousands who
have travelled to and from Montana, not a
score can be named who have followed the
Lake route. Tho great tide of travel has
Surged across the Rocky Mountains by way
of the Mullan Road, and the coming season,
We venture the prediction, will find the trade
and travel following the most direct route
The meagreness of the subscription to open
the Lake route is the very best evidence that
the project does not commend itself to the
judgement of Portland capitalists Were
the merchants Of that city really in earnest,
$4,000 would be small sum, and we are
quite sure that were the merits of the Null
Ian road presented to them shey would read
lily subscribe the amount required to place
the road in a condition to admit of loaded
teams passing over it. The trouble is that
the friends of this route, satisfied with its
superiority, have rested idle, and thus lost
the time that ought to have been occupied
in making the necessary repairs, and placing
it in good condition for the Spring trade
In this connection, we have only to renew
our suggestion of last week, that one or two
prominent citizens take the measure in hand,
and raise, by subscription, or otherwise, the
amount necessary to place the road in thor.
ough repair. It would be small matter if
the citizens Of Walla WallsV alley, rich and
prosperous as they are, we're required to raise
the whole sum; but this is not necessary.
Portland, we are quite sure, will aid in open
ing the way for a trade of which she is to
receive the lions share, and other towns on
the Columbia River, proportionately interest
ed, may be expected to contribute their quo.
ia. 1t is possible that in spite of obstacles
and discouragements, the people of Montana
will find their way to this market, and from
the abundance of their mines, contribute to
our ProsPesity; but it is not safe to trust to
any such good luck. 1t is the part of wis.
dom to deserve success, and, certainly we
shall have little claims to a trade which we
have taken no means to attain. Prosperous
to degree that ezcites the envy of inveigh-
ling communities, we can we'll afford to take
hold aud press to completion measure that
promises to be mine of uabounded wealth.
aud trade the value of which, can scarce
be estimated. Who will take the lead in
this matter, and link his name with an enter.
prise designed to enrich the whole country.
-o--41---
WEB-FooT WEATHER.-On Monday and