New-York tribune., 1868-07-06
OUR Pacific RAILRO1DS.


THE FRENZY FOR GRANTING GOVERNMENT AID.
10 he Edsor Of The TribuH.
SIR: The endowment by Government OF prl-
vate corporations with the peoples money involves
danger so papabe that the occasions should be very
rare and the necessity imperative. The precedent al
ready established favor Of the Pacific Railroad Is re-
garded by spectators Offering an invitation to unim-
tied plunder OF the Treasury; and unless influence
can be ncrpOsed between Congress and the yoracious
lobby that cngsto IT, this exceptional species OF legisa
ton threatens become the rule to the serious aug
mentaton OF The public debt and the corruption of pub
lie virtue see no such sufficient influences except an
awakened interest the minds OF the people, and no
adequate medium for its exercise except the press
Mr.. Richardson's letter timely, In so far as 1t
sounded note OF alarm against the fresh demands Of
that grossly pampercd corporation owning the road
known as the Union Pacific Railroad, Eastern Diyi-
son" and In stating Of the reasons why these de-
mands unworthy Of consideration But he omitted
most important facts OF which the public should be
reminded. Before Gay Congressional aid was given to
H. this Company. then known as the "Leavenworth,
Pawnee aud Western Railroad Co.." was virtually en-
dowed with two OF the finest tracts OF land In Kansas,
having allowed purchase by treaty the reserved
lands OF the Indians, lying between Leaven-
worth and Lawrence-absolutely the most valuable
in Kansas; and the reserved lands Of the Pot
awatOnie Indians, In the Kansas valley between
Topeka and Manhattan, not greatly inferior. The
price Of these choice lands, surrounded all sides by
settlements much less than that asked by the Gov
ernmeut for those which the distant frOntiersman
had passed by I'm dsdain; and the terms were so
liberal rs to enable the bulk OF payment TO be
made out Of the receipts Of sale. TO effect such pur
chases required the active assistance OF Government Of
cas and the consent of the Senate and all conycrsant
with the facts that they regarded practical
endowments OF wonderful richness. Properly used.
these lands, aggregatnc. IL remember right nearly
100000 acres, would the cost Of building road
through admirable region as the Kansas Valley, from
the Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains. And
yet in addition TO this prior endowment, this
road when incorporated into the Pacific scheme,
secured the same splendid subsidies and loans
given to the line and other branches.
This was the condition OF this corporation when 1t as
sumed present and commenced the work Of con-
structon Had that work. after the death OF Mr. Halet
been prosecuted with the vigor he displayed and had
faith been kept with the Government in regard TO its
union with the main ne the States OF Kansas and Mis-
souri, as well all the country drained by the Ohio and
Rivers with the great cities OF ST. LOUIS, Gin
cnnat and Baltimore. would to-day be in direct com
munication with the mines OF Colorado and Wyoming
and TO be connected with Utah, Nevada and the Pa
cfc coast at the moment as New-York, Phiadel-
pha aud Chicago. The plan Of Congress trunk
line on the parallel Of Chicago, with eastern branches
reaching north and SOUTH to accommodate the entire
compass tho loyal States. This Kansas branch too,
running through q settled and productive region. and
connecting such important sections might have been I'M
mediately and enduringy profitable and the most
valuable franchise Of lhe whole system. With all these
gifts and natural advantagesn the face OF bad faith and
tardy progress-havng by their cut loose from
the trunk line and wandered of toward the desert with
what propriey this Company prefer Congress
entertain demand for money build their road through
region utterly worthless, in order 20 reach line 20
the Pacific which, when attained, they would probably
find IN the possession OF rival far better situated
geographically, ITS Improvement
The case of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company
is no better. No weinformed man expect 1t TO be
built on the line contemplated IN the charer-oherwise,
why do not the gentlemen owning the franchise proceed
with the construction It has already from the Govern
ment promise OF almost nnumerable OF that valu
able territory eloduenty described by Mr.. r.; and il
the project is feasible. these lands should be ample
guaranty to the rich who the charter for full
reimbursement OF all money required leaving the capital
stock clear profit In fact, many OF these gentlemen
the same who control the Kansas road and IL does
need the uterance OF Gov Marshas generous sentiment
10 give aid TO companies show these pro-
jects hunt In couple They, and he, would obligngy
open the Treasury vaults-so plethoric-and
allow such as choose to help themselves.
But before voting further grants the Northern Pa
c6c Railroad" hope each member OF Congress Will
anime correct map and read the recent reports II,
after doing this he vote he past all surgery,
cept at the hands OF his constituents.
This road is projected from Lake Superior TO Puget
Sound, traversing Minnesota, Dakota, Montana, and
Washington It's general course s the country at
right angles with the and 1t filings itself
against the mountain ranges where they apparently
impossible Were 1t practical TO build ii on this ne it
would prove good feeder-so far could feed any
thing-o the Grand Trunk and Inter-Colonial Railways
OF the Canadian Dominion and our neghbors would be
very willing take any Of its freighs direct TO Liver
pool via Halifax rather than compel them 10 circuit
via New-York. And supposlng the line TO be actually
completed years hence, should fnd Astoria and
Portland and Puget Sound with all OF Oregon and Wash
ngton and the best part OF British Columbia to be
Hsp York IN mules and days. by way Of the Snake Valley
and Union Pacific Roads, than by this northern
one! Here Is a We have at great
pense, endowed and secured trunk line
the mountains and plains to connect the Northern
States with the Pacific Coast and easy branch OF
hundred or two miles in length from this ne at some
point In Utah. will give all the OF the Snake
and Columbia Valleys, and Southern British Columbia,
~ route az nearly straight as possible AND yet We nno