, 1867-11-15
The Railroad.

Walla with the Columbia River, and in every
instance the project is favorably received.
There can be little doubt that we possess
within ourselves the means to build the
road, but as we have already shown, the
capital can be otained from abroad, and as a
matter of policy it would be we'll to interest
Eastern capitalists in our prosperity. The
work is Of such easy accomplishment and so
necessary to the development of the resour
ces of our Valley, that we cannot afford to
delay it any considerable time. 1t is not as
vet settled what route the North Pacific
Railroad will follow after leaving the Lakcs,
but it is quite certain that in the event Of
road threading this valley the North Pacific
Railroad would be compelled to make it a
link in their chain of communication. Some
of the surveys indicate White Bluffs as the
point at which the Railroad will strike the
Columbia. Should this route be adopted
Walla Walla Valley will be in a great meas.
ure cleft out in the cold" and hence it more
than ever becomes necessary that we help
ourselves. From the Lakes two routes are
open to the Railroad Company, and it is not
at all improbable that the thirty miles of
road which it is now proposed to build will
decide the Company in their choice between
the two routes. To any event, the roadsis a
necessity to our people, and measures looki
ing to its construction should not be delayed.
With this thirty miles of railroad built,
Walla Walla would at once become the de-
pot Of supplies for the Boise country, as also
the western part of Montana, and with these
added to the local trade, We should have
the most fattering prospects of any town
Dorth Of San Francisco. In years gone by,
when we had no competitors for the mining
trade, the policy of inactivity was well
enough, but now that San Francisco on one
side and St. Louis on the other are putting
forth their energies to secure the trade that
once followed the Columbia River, it becomes
US in every way to improve our channels Of
communication. In our present condition,
we fail to attract the mining trade that prop'
erly centres at this point, and our farmers
are also denied the advantages resulting
from the high prices for grain that now rule
10 the Portland and Sau Francisco markets
1t is thus that railroad would give US q
market for our surplus products, and at the
same time make US the factors for the great
mining districts of Idaho and Montana. A
prize like this is worthy of an effort, aud we
have only to repeat our former suggestion
that company BE- organized, and an agent
despatched to an Eastern market to dispose
of the stock AS matter of course, our owl
citizens will subscribe literally in aid of the
enterprise, but the bulk of the money can b
brought from abroad, and 10 that extent viii
add to our home capital The Greek maxim
that "God only helps those who endeav,
ored to help themselves" will apply to oul
own case, and in this spirit we propose thai
our citizens organize company having fol
its object the building of railroad connect'
ing our Valley with the Columbia River.
community that is without railroads ant
telegraphs is bobind the age, and the sooner
We avail ourselves of these great achieve
ments Of modern civilization the earlier vii
we attain the highest possible degree of ma
terial prosperity