The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-03-24
The Northern Pacific Railroad.


It has probably occurred to very few of our
readers that New England would be directly
concerned in a line of railway stretching
across the continent, or that the city of Port
land was likely to become one of the impor-
tant termini of such a line. And yet there
can be no question that there Is feasible,
practicable, and in all respects desirable route
to the Pacific ocean, which sustaIns close ge
ographical relations to the railway system OF
these Northeastern States, and over which
commerce may be directed which will prove of
the greatest value to us and to our neighbor
cities. We refer to the Northern Pacific Rail-
road which is now controlled by prominent
gentlemen OF Maine Massachu. etts and Yer
m mt in connection with influential men in
New York and other States. a.,a f
We have before us the Report of Special
Committee appointed by the Boston Board OF
Trade to inquire into the facts concerning the
railroad referred to. In discussing the inter-
est which New England may be supposed to
have in the building OF this road, the Com
mittee point out that the proposed line from
Lake Superior to Puget Sound will be in fact
an extension of the Grand Trunk Railway OF
Canada; and they place Portland on the same
footing with Boston, in considering the advan-
tases which will result from this great enter
prise. They show clearly that the interest
both of the Northern States and of Canada,
requires that the railroads on both sides of the
frontier should work in harmony with each
other, and complement each other in perfect
ing means of travel and transportation from
ocean to ocean. The report says: $50 close
"ly allied geographically-so interiocked--are
"the territories of the United States with the
"British possessions, that the railways Oh
"etther side are used for convenience in pass
"ing from one p ace to anotherin the same ma
"tionality The best route from New Bruins
"wick to Canada, lies through the State Ct
MAINE; and the direct course from New Eng
land to Michigan, Wisconsin and the country
Lying beyond, is through part of Canada.
In like manner, the most available route be-
Tween Canada aud British Columbia, appears
ito be by the Northern Pacific line, which will
run near to the British frontier, but will still
"be upon the territory of the United States
ut is proposed, therefore, simply to enlarge an
international policy already adopted and ap-
proved" And again: "Have not the North
fern and Eastern States common interest
with the Canadas, and pice rersa, in con.
"structing Pacific railroad which shall add to |
"the profit of the lines now in existence, and
(which shall make use of these lines as SO |
"many links in the chain OF communication
"from ocean TO ocean? Does not the best
Zine from Maine and Massachusetts, to the
northwest coast, promise to be in connection |
"with Canadian roads already built; and does |
mot the most available line from Canada to its |
sister colonies on that coast, promise to be in |
connection with an American line yet to be
quit? 1t would almost seem to be ge-
"ogfaphical necessity that the Northern rail-
road TO the Pacific should be international.
"ree Tor both nations, common to both, and
"for the benefit OF both,n
The Northern Pacific Railroad Companv
was chartered by Congress nearly two wears
ago, and was endowed with a land GRANT in
the States and Territories through which it is
to pass. This grant, however, has only pro-
spective and contingent value, and canrot be
made available for the immediate and sneedv
construction of the road. The Comnanv
has therefore made representations to Con-
gress which have resulted in bill re-
ported after very careful consideration by
the House Committee on Pacific Rail-
roa1s, wlich provides for aid on the part |
OF the Government IN more substantial and |
tangible form. 1t is proposed that the Gov
eminent shall pledgeits credit for the payment
OF the interest for twenty years upon por-
tion-oi the stock; the pledge to be given as |
last as the road shall be built in sections of |
twenty five or more miles, and not until the |
principal represented by the guaranteed stock
knaii have been expended satisfactorily to the |
Government The pledge is to cover the in
1ereSt only, ana is restricted to fixed cost for
each mile graduated according to the dificnl.
ties OF construction on the various portions ~
the line. To secure the Government for suct
amounts as, under this arrangement, it NAV |
De called to advance, one-half OF the proceeds
OF the Company's lands is to be paid into the
Treasury, also twenty-five per cent, of the
gross receipts of the line, until full reimburse
ment shall be made. This method of st;mr.
iat'ng private enterprise to the prosecution of
great public work, appears to US both wise
ana just; and we sincerely hope that Congress
IN Dotn It's branches. will confirm the recon-
mendations of the House Committee ed -lo- 1
ass $500 -tT a., sf1g
bS~The eight-hour bill has been defeated IN