The Shasta courier., 1866-09-01
Government Aid to California Railroads.


There were before Congress during its late
session several bills granting lands to aid In
the construction of railroads in California;
First was the Oregon Railroad scheme, in
herited from the previous session, and origi-
nally introduced two or three years ago
Then there were projects for railroads from
San Francisco to Humboldt Bay, through
the Coast Range valleys; from Pacerville
to Virginia. across the Sierra Nevada; from
Folsom to Placerville. connecting with the
preceding; and from Stockton to Copperopo-
lis The very multiplicity of these measures,
together with the rivalry of interests they
created, caused the defeat of all but the first
named, although each of the others was
pushed through one brar ch or the other of
Congress and might possibly have become a
law had the session been prolonged. The
California and Oregon Railroad bill alone
passed both Houses, after a protracted and
worrying contest in Committee and in open
session, and has received the ar proval of the
President. The enterprise which it contem-
plates had perhaps the best claim 70 Nation
al assistance of all its fellows, for it involves
The construction of a road about 600 miles
long which will connect 300 miles of North
ern California and all of Oregon directly
with the Pacific Railroad. and with the gen
eral railway system that must ultimately
centre at the Bay of San Francisco, posses
sing thus superior Importance a CONNER
cial and industrial agent. Viewing it in
this light, the Legislature of California, at
its session in 1861, passed resolutions urg
ing our delegation at Washington to use
their influence to secure a grant OF lands in
its behalf. Through. the energy Of Mr.. Cole
mo rnt fhrn ,rlt
the House in 1865, but failed in the Senate
for lack of time and attention. The passage
of the second BILL which is now u law. is due
mainly to the able and persevering advocacy
of Mr.. Bidwell, whose intimate acquain
tance with the industrial and agricultural
interests and wants of our State led him to
give the matter "A degree of Jealous atten-
ton which has finally secured its reward. =
The bill grants 10 the California and Oregon
Railroad Company. already organized under
the laws of this State, and to company to
be organized in Oregon, the right of way
for railroad and telegraph line between ths
city of Portland. in Oregon. and the Central
Pacific Railroad in California The Calfor
MIA company is to begin its end Of the road
at such point on the Central Pacific Rail
road in the Sacramento Valley as it may
select and run it thence northerly through
the Sacramento and Shasta valleys to the
northern boundary of the State; and the
Oregon company is required to begin its end
of the line at Portland and run thence
southerly through the Wallamet Umpqua
and Rogue River Valleys to the southern
boundary of Oregon, connecting with the
California road but either Company first
completing its road to the boundary between
the two States is privileged to continue it
beyond the line. if the State consents, until
connection is made. The companies are
granted every alternate section of vacant
public land not mineral. to the amount of
90 sections per mile 10 sections on each side
IF the alternate sections, designated by odd
Nuumber are anywhere occupied. preempted,
sold. granted or reserved, other lands in
lieu thereof may be taken. nearest to and
not more than ten miles beyond the limits
first described. 1t is not probable the com
nanes will get in either State an amount of
land equivalent TO 20 sections per mile for
every mile of the road. hut thev will obtain
tracts large enough to make the franchise an
exceedingly valuable one and to warrant the
investment of capital for the construction Of
the road Sections Of at least 20 miles are
required to he completed every year. and
the whole road to he done by July, l, 1879.
The GuaGn must he the same as tnaI hl iue
Pacific Railroad. and the companies are re
quired. in consideration of the liberal grants
made to transport the mails at all times at
reasonable rates. and to convey free of charge
the troops and property of the United States.
The provisions as to the issuing Of patents,
examination of the road by Commissioners,
and control and supervision of it by Govern
ment, are similar to those in the Pacific
Railroad Act The liberal terms of the bill
ought to insure the practical commencement
of the road at an early day. 1t was stated
in Washington, when the bill was before
Congress. that heavy capitalists connected
with the New York Central Railroad and
| others in San Francisco would take hold of
it as soon as the fr ,nchise was Obtained
With the completion of short line now nm
der wav between Lincoln and Marvsville.
there will be n continuous line of railroad
| from Sacramento to Oroville. distance of
| sc miles. The California and Oregon Rail.
road Companv will probably hegin their
work at Ornvlle, and push the first section
Of 90 miles northward towards Chico. on the
/ Sacramento river. IF the enterprise does
not fall into the hands of mere sreculators, II
NAV reach Red Bluff. which is the head of
navi CATION on the Sacramento, at least soon
en'ngh to connect the upper Sacramento
Valley with San Francisco hv the Marvs-
Vile and Sacramento and Western Pacific
Railroads Honestly and energeticallv man
aged it will command success and popular
support IS. T. Bulletin.