Idaho semi-weekly world. (Idaho City, Boise County, Idaho Territory) 1867-1868, 1868-09-23
J RAILROAD; RlYALRr..s

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The 0regonian of September 18th has the
following article on the rivalry going on -bss-
tween railroad companies leading to or con-
Meeting with the Pacific Coast, from the States
East, and Idaho is materially interested in the
giant competition: ssl
,Callfornlans seem to be awaking to the prob
able tact that it $ is not at all the intention of
the Union Pacific Railroad to stop its labors at
Salt Lake, or even when it meets the Central
racine; but to push on by an independent
route and build q continuous line of road across
the continent, to be controlled by single com.
pany. The San Francisco Times states that
knowing ones" in that city affirm this to be
the case. 2 That paper adds elf such be the
intention, and from Information received, it
seems to be probable, the Central Pacific will
not cease its work at Salt Lake, but will feel
compelled to push on 10 the Mississippi, con.
structlng rival road to the Union Pacific"
IL would not be strange if this evident inten.
ZION on the part OF the Union Pacific to build
through line should produce something of a
panic among the Central Pacific men, who
may be less able to do without the co-opera.
ton OF the Union Pacific than the Union Pa
chic is to do without theirs This bold and
gigantic scheme on the part of the Union Pa.
enc Company is an indication of conscious
power. 1t may end in the consolidation of the
roads; or, it may be that the Central Pacific
VIII Do able to push on to the Mississippi
constructing a rival road" The game is the
greatest one ever played, and the stakes are
the most gigantic ever cOntended for How
will it affect Oregonl This is the question in
which we have an immediate interest. and the
answer to 1t Is matter of the very first iln-
Ortance to our State ...
This rivalry, it must be evident, is almost
certain to unite Oregon with road leading
across the continent. If the Union Pacific
pushes on through, as it is expected to do, it
VIII employ every means to supply itself with
feeders, to gain strength and to increase and
improve its facilities tor controlling the great
and growing trade of the country 1t will
want to reach Oregon, and 10 include this
State in the Imperial scheme it has formed to
unite and give direction to SO large part ot
the commerce of the world. One or more
branches will therefore, in all probability, be
thrown oil to Oregon; aud it IS evident that
the Union Pacific Company are looking in this
direction to ascertain how this part of their
scheme may be best accomplished. 1t is ascer-
tanned by Knowing ones that the uIckase
ot the willamette Valley Railroad (east side)by
Ben Holiday is an initiatory step towards
this consutnmation that the construction of
this road to the head of this valley is but the
smallest part OF the plan, and that its exten-
SION southeast To an intersection 18th the add
vanclng Union Pacific Is the great idea which
inspires the scheme. We must wait. of course
for details, until this enterprise begins tn be
untolded. But in the meantime the people OF
Oregon may assure themselves that better
era Is opening in the history of the State. The
visitation here OF men OF capital who are seek
ing information in regard 10 our resources
the growing interest which is being manifested
in Oregon on all sides, and the certainty that
we shall soon have railroad communication
throughout our own State and in all prubabili-
ty connection with the trans-cnntinent;il lines,
are indications of growth which are as unns-
taxable as they are cheering. The proposed
Salt Lake. Idaho aud Columbia river branch
may also be built as part of the scheme. 1t is
now pretty well settled that the Union Pacific
Company will run their road ON the north side
of Suit Lake, bringing it uD to within very
short distance of the Idaho line; that the dis
tance through by this branch would be no
greater than by the main trunk of San Fran
cisco. We await with interest the develop.
ment of the combinations that are forming,
with great confidence that they will put new
life and vigor into our State.
The OregoRiaR gives this in addition:
On the 10Th ult. Gen. Dodge, (Chief cngin-
eer of the u. p. X. X. with corps of assist
ants and some biologists and mineralogists and
% soldiers as escorts, started from near the
Humboldt Wells, more generally called Thous-
aud Spring Valley. This starting point is 80
miles southwest of the point previously agreed
upon. or the one taken by Mr.. Stephens. some
two years since, in his maps and charts fnr n
railroad branch from Salt Lake to the Column
bia river. 1t is claimed that the General by
taking the above named as a starting point,
will pass tn the southwark of the Gouse creek
and Bear river range of mountains (the only
heavy obstaclc) and cross Snake river at Sal
mon Falls, thrnce down the north side of
Farewell bend and recross, following up the
valley OF Burnt river over into Powder river
valley aud thence on the best line to the CO.
lnnbia river over the most direct and most
practicable route. 1t is believed this branch
will be completed inside of three years.
| GREAT DIsTREss.--A late dispatch from
New York city says: as
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