The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-04-11

The Great Railroad 70 the kaf west.
IS, Ffoaa 0ssN. y Eselns0 Fess March q.
no other human agency, aside from
the framework OF govefnment under
which we have chosen TO live in unity
and order, is likely to contribute more
toward our advancement than the stu
pendous work which Is to connect the
extremities OF the countfy,sautlz bring
within easy access that magnificent
third of our area lying west of the Mis-
souri, riYer--the Pacific Railroad. This
great highway across the nation, which
our kinsnien on the western coast have
have pleaded for, which the whole Ireo-
pie has wished for, bids fair to be COM
pIeted within i've years at furtbest, and
possibly within half that period. We
may reasonably indulge an anticipaT
ton Of being able to see a stream OF
summer tourists rushing across the
great interior plains, and exploring the
Wonderful scenery OF the Rocky Noun
tains and the snow-capped Sierra Ne
vada, at the same time that the mighty
tide of westward emigration sweeps
along in Its march toward the Pacific
1t will SSHtiiy most persons to know
that the difficulties which were sup
upon examination, dwindled SO as not
10 be at - all formidable In
stead of twenty years, the road
will be built in five from the
time of its commencement by the gem
erous help Of the Government which
recognized its necessity both from mill
tary and commercial policy. That the
company OF energetic capitalists who
have secured Its privileges and already
seized upon tie most available; routes
across the chains of mountains are 10
reap a rich reward from their superior
enterprise and daring, takes nothing
from the merit ofthelr work, since IL
confers an inestimable boon upon the
whole country, and especially multi
plies the value of the tract through
which 1t runs-a territory hitherto as
completely shut out from us as II It
were beyond the sea. The increased
value given 70 the land by the increased
production of the precious metals, ana
The comfort of the Western population,
will repay hvefold the moneys loaned
with which to start the great work.
The benefits already conferred by the
western end of The road, the Central
Pacific Railroad of Californta-Whtch
is relatively the furthest advanced-are
conspicuous; not SO much in the greater
yield of the gold and silver, as in the
equally important way of mining them
at greater profit to the community. The
quantity OF bullion shipped is not APP
probably greater, since its production
Is limited to the capacity the labor and
machinery present at the work; but one
ofthe Chiefsources ofexpense in mining
gold and silver was the very heavy
IreightaGe of every article of consump-
ton and use in getting and reducing
the ore. California, itself young
State, finding that there were rich anu
limitiess beds of gold and silver In the
territory north and west of her, sent
$50, 600 of her adult population and vast
amounts of capital thither to work.
There they remain, and thither she is
now pushing the Pacific Railroad, as
fast as possible, to relieve them. A
great mountain wall, the lowest eleva-
ton of which is over 1850 feet, stood
between the California parent and her
off-shoots in the Territories of Nevada
and Idaho. Up the steep sides of this
range of Cordilleras she has built a
solid, durable railroad, with no greater
grades than those by which our own
Alleghenies are crossed, and is at this
moment boring tunnel through the
summit at an altitude of about 900
feet, and during the present summer
will makean easy descent (ior there are
only ], 100 feet of slope on the eastern
side) into the rich silver bearing region
of Nevada.
During a single year before the COM
mencement of the road, the estimated
amount paid for freights one way only
across these high mountains, was no
less sum than SIS, 100000. All, or
nearly all, of this can now be drawn
across at less that half the cost, in less
than halfthe time. This difference in
expenditure, to say nothing of time
and comforts in producing about thirty
millions of bullion per year, represents
an actual saving OF about s., oOO, 600 to
be added to The profit of the minersl
Such are among The early blessings OF
the Pacific Railroad, and they become
greater as IL advances. The financial
responsibility which the general Gov
eminent has assumed, in return for the
benefits to be conferred by the road on
the country at large, relieves the Gem
trail Company fom the risks and uncer-
tainties usually attending private en-
terprises; and gives 10 1t in fact, as well
as Injunction, "a senii-nationaI charcter.
The abundant traffic prospect, no less
than its public subsidy, insures an
early completion of the road.
By reference to the advertisement of
the Central Pacific Company in another
column, II will be seen that their FL
nancial Agents offer for sale the First
Mortgage Bonds of the Road, of even
date and tenor with the Government
bonds, drawing six per cent. principal
and interest payable in gold.
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