, 1868-12-18
RalIroad Meeting.


so happened that the gentleman did not
reach Walla Walla until Sunday night, and
so the meeting was deferred to Tuesday after
noon, at which time and place there was
full attendance.
The meeting was called to order by A.
Kyger, Esq, who named Hon. Frank'P
Dugan, fot Chairman. After which, on
motion, Il. NJ. Chase was appointed Secretary.
Mr.. Hines was then introduced, and pro-
ceeded to address the meeting on the general
question of the Railroad system of the Pa
ci6c coast He said: The first thing to be
observed is that there are two objective
points toward which these roads point, VIZ
San Francisco and Puget Sound. We are
only concerned to-day to discuss the latter
Practically and commercially the mouth of
the Columbia River will be found to be
Puget Sound. 1t being an impossibility for
large size clipper and merchant vessels to
enter the Columbia, we must either consent
to secondary and coasting trade, or seek
some way to harbor accessible to the largest
sized vessels. That harbor is Puget Sound.
Railroad lines are contemplated, or are
now in process of construction approaching
the Sound from at least two points-frst
the Northern Pacific, over some pass in the
Cascade Mountains far north of the Colum>
bia. Second, the Union Pacific, from the
main trunk, at or near Salt Lake, to juno
tion with the Puget Sound and Columbia
River line, and thence to the Sound, reaching
the same point on the Sound that will be
struck by the other. Or, thirdly, the North
ern Pacific, failing to force the passage of
the Cascades, make a southern detOur aud
entering the Columbia pass of the Cascades,
reach the objective point on the line neces>
sarily adopted by the Union Pacific. What
will be the result of the adoption of either
of these lines to you of WalIa Walla ? First,
as to the Union Pacific, the reconnoissances
that have just been made by gentlemen con :
nected with that road are only preliminary
and partial, and with no view of selecting a
route. If they build, their more probable
line, which will be the Willow Creek line
from the mouth of Malheur to the head of
Jonn Day river, thence down that river tothe
Columbia, passing WallaWalla farlo thesouth
The Northern Pacific almost necessarily pass.
es you far to the north and thus by either
and both Of these lines you are left out.
What then is to be done?
Your local road from Walla Walla 10 Wal.
lula will afford you some, but only partial
relief. While it will afford you more expe-
ditious and cheaper communication with the
river, it will make an additional trans. ship
ment of freight. Now it is these trans-ship>
ments, and not the distance, that makes the
cost of freight. Already your freight must
be handled eight times before it lays on the
wharf at the seaboard. Your railroad to
Wallula will make it nine. Then the ques-
ton arises, is there not a remedy that is
complete answer, yes; ; connect your Vail
ley and country by direct and contiguous
railroad communication with Puget Sound
By securing franchise and constructing a
road from Walla Walla to connect with the
Puget Sound aud Columbia River Railroad,
and the work is done. The first step is the
organization Of company; then the procu-
rance from Congress of right of way aud
land grants for your road; then securing such
aid from the counties through which the
road will pass, as, in connection with the
land grants, will give a basis of credit in
the money markets; say guaranteed bonds
10 the amount of half million dollars. With
these you are in position to negotiate, and
become at once masters of the situation.
To secure such franchise company has
already fled articles of incorporation. They
desire your cooperation as incorpOrators with
them, and have instructed me to ask you to
become equal, or, if you choose, superior to
them, by taking an equal or greater mum.
Der of shares. They desire this further, for
the reason that the united action of our peo,
pie is necessary to the great results we all
desire to see reached in the growth, develop,
ment and prosperity of our whole Territory
In addition to the above there we're given
statements and statistics relating to the
sources of wealth in the Territory, especially
tue already large lumber, shingle and coal
trade of the Sound.
At the conclusion of Mr.. H.'s address
Mr.. W. Il. Newell, moved the appointment
of a committee of five, to consider and exr
anime the propositions as set forth in the ad,
dress, aud report at an adjourned meetino
of the citizens of Walla Walla county. The
motion was adopted, and Messrs Newell
\ Baker Sharnstein Kvoar al q