The weekly Butte record. [volume] (Oroville [Calif.]) 1866-1887, 1866-10-27
Special Message of Governor Woods ON the
Oregon Central Ratlroad.

oregon Central H1tlrO10s
The following in the special message of Gov
ernor Woods on this subject in full. The Governor
ststes important fact in it, viz that capitalists
controlling ample means for the constitution of the
entire Oregon Central Railroad are now ready and
have signi6ed their willingness to invest in the
great enterprise the legislation necessary
for such an investment can be had:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, SALEM, October s, 1856
Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly: Your
attention is invited to the importance OF the in
aaguratiou of general system of internal improve
ments in our State. When only biennial sessions
of the Legislature authorized by law delay often
works incaculabe injury. And now that we are
in rapid process Of development, with a constantly
increasing population, it behooves Us, looking to
the future good, to give all necessary aid to such
enterprises tend to the permanent development
Of the vast resources of the State.
Long years OF experience In country without
roads, and with a water communication with the
marts of trade. admitted by all to be totally made
quate to the wants of the people, has taught rs
the necessity for system of interoomunIcatIon
which will answer the demands of the people.
With railroad running through the Willamette
Valley, and via Oakland Rosebnrg, Jacksonville
and Yreka, TO and connecting with the Central
Pacific Railroad in California--shus putting our
seivesin directand speedy communication with the
ter State, in which we have a community OF lRter-
est-we should reap benefit which cannot well be
estimated. Another route, equally as important
as the first, now inviting attention is the one run
ming from the navigabe waters of the Columbia
river via Boice City to the valley OF the Great Salt
Lake, connecting with the Central Pacific Railway.
at Salt Lake City. To this route too much lmpor-
tance cannot be attached. In commercial and
military point of view it is invaluable and indls-
pensible; and it is gratifying TO know that bill +,
IN it's IS
Congress. and will doubtless become law early in
the ensuing session of that body. Legislation for
the purpose of carrying that great enterprise into
effect will be unnecessary, and it is hoped that you
will not adjourn without making the required en-
actments. In his biennial message for the year
1864 my predecessor called the attention of the
Legislature To the route first above named and for
chilly enumerated the advantages to be derived from
such an enterprise; and. in accordance with the
suggestions an Act passed, the effect OF which
was TO aid in its construction. But the amount
provided for was so meager as TO offer no induce
ment to capitalists for investment. Had more
liberal spirit characterized our legislation at that
time, We should ere this have been enjoying the
advantages and sharing the profits of the under
taking Let US profit by the experience of the past
and take hold of this great enterprise with that
liberaiity and determination which shall insure its
early completion. | would not encourage extrava-
gance, but. on the contrary. would beSpeak vigil
ant watchfulness over and prudent and judcious
expenditure of the public money; but it should be
borne in mind that niggardly p 'rsimony is often
the ruin CT people, while providential iiberality
builds up State.
Your attention is called to an Act OF Congress of
July 25 1866, donating twenty sections OF the public
lands for each mile of railroad aud telegraph to be
constructed from the city of Portland Oregon. to and
connected with the Central Pacific Railroad, in
California which lands are TO be selected within
thirty miles either side of said road. This grant,
though quite liberal, is wholly inadequate and will
not OF Itself afford sufficient security to insure III
vestment. Capital for the completion ofthis great
work must come from abroad, and good policy re-
quires that we should hold out inducements tor
investment. | am happy to be able to communicate
to You that capitalists controlling ample for
the construction of the entire road proposed are
now ready, and have Sighted their willingness, to
invest in the great enterprise the legis-
latlon necessary for such an Investment can be
had
Under the General Incorporation Act, a corpora
ton Is about to be organized to be known as The
Oregon Central Railroad Company" composed of
some of the most responsible and energetic bus
1ess men of the State, whose purpose it is. if they
can meet with proper encouragement to lmmedia
teiy begin this great work. And take the liberty
to suggest that it would be well to make provisions
by immediate enactment, by which through the
above named Incorporation, the State shall be able
To reap the benefits of the liberal donations by Con-
gress. and also make provision for the payment of
tue interest on the bonds of the company neces
sary to construct and put into operation the first
section OF twenty miles of the road. Whatever
may be the objections urged, it must be conceded
that the State, looking to the future permanent
wealth and prosperity of its citizens. is in duty
bound to lend immediate and efficient aid to this
great enterprise; and since il is for the immediate
benefit OF all, it is eminently Just and proper that
all should contribute to its urtherance
deem it useless to enumerate the advantages to
be derived from railroad since they must be ap-
parent to all. The valleys of the Rogue River,
umpqua and willamette are unequaled in richness
of soil and general resources for agricultural and
purposes; but can the farmers or
the manufacturers afford to transport the products
Of their labor from those remote districts Port
land. at present our only outlet and realize any
profit 1t is often tauniingly said by those from
abroad that Oregonians are indolent-no.hng can
be more foreign from the truth. Experience teaches
that mankind nowhere labor for the mere love of
labor, par but for the profits to be derived there
from. In this the citizens of Oregon are unlike
the rest of mankind. Give them easy and cheap
transportation for the products of their labor and
the most rapid developement of all the multiplied
resources of our State will speedily follow.
A railroad is public necessity. The farmers
need it; the merchants need it,: the manufacturers
need it, all classes need it. 1t would intuse new
energy and enterprise into the people, cause our
lands TO be cultivated, manufactures TO be built
np increase the demand for labor bring hither vast
population, and TO our revenue and build up our
cities. Its early completion will be a priceless
You are the representatives of the
people. Their interests are in your keeping. Do
your duty toward them, your State and yourselves.
Help TO build the railroad. 1t is the people just
enterprise. You labors will be your own lasting
GEORGEI |. WOODS.