National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-05-01

Five HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILES
CoMPLETED.-We learn that the
Union Pacific Railroad is being
pushed forward this year more rap.
idly than ever. A much larger force
will be employed upon it during
1868 than ever before. Rock cut
tings have been continued i'm the
Laramie Mountains during the en-
tire winter, and there has been much
less snow there, than in the latitude
of New York city. Not less than
5000 additional labOrers will be in
the field this season, besides 1000
mechanics, bridge builders, iron
workers, &c. There will also be
1000 teams, with the necessary
horses and mules for the plOws aud
scrapers, and not less than 800
wagons and carts. Much of the
lumccr for bridges, ties, &C.. is al
ready cut, an 1 saw mills and shops
are busy in turning out the mechan-
ical appliances for the great work.
Iron sufficient to lay POO miles of
additional track has already been
delivered on the ground, and there
is every prospect that not less than
800 miles more road will be finished
during the present year.
We have just learned by telegraph
that $50 miles west from Omaha are
now completed, and that the loco.
motive, followed by it's long train OF
cars, is actually running over the
highest point of the Rocky Noun.
tains that will be traversed by the
line. This achievements something
to he proud Of, and gives good PROM
Use that eight to nine hundred miles
of the eastern end of the line will
be in running order this year. The
western end, beginning at Sacra-
mentO, California. is being pushed
forward with similar vigor, and We
learn that 400 miles of it is expect
ed to be finished this season. The
f distance from Omaha to Sacrament
to is 1921 miles, and it is now be-
, lieved that at least 1900 miles of the
. whole line will be finished before
1869. This will leave only between
500 and 600 miles to be completed
hereafter, and it would not he sur
prising if the grand celebration OF
the completion Of the Pacific Rail.
, road would take place Il twelve
month earlier than the Companies
now promise. Genius, Pluck and
! Money will then have accomplished
one OF the greatest and most useful
achievements in the world. 1t was
r indispensable to the political as well
:. as physical welfare of the country
}. 1t will bind the greatest extremes o
D the nation together, stop our lndiai
i wars, develop our mineral resources
a and add greatly to the wealth ant
: prosperity of the nation.
. 1t can hardly be doubted thsl
, this-the only railroad between the
Atlantic and PaciIic States-will be
a very profitable as well as very
! valuable work. The great tide OF
| travel between the two oceans must
S flow over it, and the merely loca
j. business which springs up along tn,
+ line, as it is opened, and with tn,
d adjacent mines, not only pays th'
1 interest on all the bonded debt o
d the Company, but handsome prot
It it besides. The net earnings OF th'
e Union Pacific on 1856 miles of rOa,
'. from May to January last, are off
cially reported at over million do
lars, and Congress already threat
A ems to interfere to reduce rates an,
# compel the Company to stop mah
Y ing SO much profit. AS the Gov
4 ernment advances about One.thir'
~ of the cost of the road, and az
,. points five of the directors, it wi
,,f have an active voice in the matte
70 whenever it is necessary to exercis
/. it.
>. The Company's First MOrtgag
IS Bonds, bearing six per cent. gold in
$ terest, have q ready sale, and lin
=. tied amOuIsc are now offered at pa
a We can see no reason why they al
a not n perfectly safe AS well az u yer
az profitable security. SS"haeripti0l
h, are received by various Banks IA,
70 Bankers advertised as agents, WI
of have a valuable pamphlet for graft
M itOus distribution to parties inte
ii csted, which will furnish full info
y nation.