Idaho semi-weekly world. (Idaho City, Boise County, Idaho Territory) 1867-1868, 1868-02-26
MIR. HoLBRooK,s RAILROAD BILL.

MIR. HOLBROOK's RAILROAD BILL.
On January 18th, Hon. E. D. Holbrook.
Delegate from Idaho Territory, introduced in
Congress q billfcr the construction of Rail-
road ..from the Union Pacific Railroad to
Idaho, Montana, Portland, and Puget Sound"
In recent issue Of this paper we gave brief
mention of the bill, and then took occasion to
express our belief that it did not contemplate
the construction of the line Of railroad of first
Importance and most advantage to Idaho. A
careful perusal of the bill since has more than
confirmed us in the belief that the road con-
templated by 1t will not only not be advantage.
GUS to this portion of Idaho, but, also, that it
win prove to be of greater detriment and real
injury to us than will any other project, in the
way of railroads, that has so far been mooted.
Candidly, we think very great error was
committed in the title of the bill. 1t should
be entitled "a Bill for the actual benefit of the
Oregon Steam Navigation Company, and for
the contingent benefit of Portland" 1t plays
almost exclusively into the hands-or pockets,
perhaps, is the better word-of the 0. s. n.
Co., by STIMULATING that the railroad shall be
completed from the Union Pacific road to the
Columbia river, SO rs to give through rail-
road and steamboat communication with Port
land, Oregon, within Eve years from the pas
sage of this Act" And right here, let us re,
mark very peculiar characteristic of the bill.
1t starts out with granting all of the certain
and valuable rights, franchises, moneys, and
lands to the Idaho, Oregon, and Puget Sound
Railroad Company" This Company title is
preserved all the way through until it comes
to the actual cream of the thing, and then We
have, 1.-THE Salt Lake and Columbia River
Railroad Company" and, finally, the Idaho,
Oregon and Columbia River Railroad Com
pany" 1t is noteworthy that while the con.
nection from the Union Pacific Railroad to the
Columbia River must be completed in flee gears,
there is actually no obligation imposed upon
the Companies enumerated, or either Of them.
to erer complete that portion Of the road from
Portland to Puget Sosad. The evident and
manifest intention OF the bill is to establish
railroad connection between the Union Pacific
Railroad and the steamers of the o. s. N. Co,
on the upper Columbia river, and by this
means several very important objects are to be
accomplished for the exclusive benefit Of that
great monopoly Company.
Such q connection will give the o. S. \. Co.
the absolute control Of the freight and passen.
ger business between Portland and the point
Of railroad connection 10 the Union Pacific
road. 1t will seriously retard, for many years
at least, the building Of any branch from the
Central Pacific Railroad to Idaho. II will
operate seriously, also, against the extension
of that portion Of the Northern Pacific Rail
road. rs projected, from this slope of the
Rocky Mountains to Puget Sound. or. it may
be the means OF compelling this Company to
make terms with the o. s. N. Co, by which
the latter shall be enabled tn reap the same
material advantages from that Railroad as il
will from the road proposed by Mr. Holbrook'.
bill In either event, the consequence to Idaho
is about the same: She will be placed com
pletely at the mercy Of the o. s. N. Co. They
may see ft to push the railroad through Boise
Valley, or they may elect to run their branch
connection from the Union Pacific road b.
some other line, which would leave Boise Val
ley entirely out in the cold. But, considered
in the best light for this division of Idaho, what
will be the efect' Let US see:
It is to trade that we should chiefly look
and then to the facilities for travel. The great
proportion of our traffic is with San Francisco
1t is thither the largest portion Of the produc,
Of our mines of gold aud silver is forwarded
| it IL from there our merchants receive all, OF
nearly oil, of the chief staples In dry goods
groceries and hardware their stocks Of liquors
and mining implements, and Of assorted mer
chandise. From Portland, comparatively moth
ing comes now, and the very small traffic which
still exists between Idaho and that market il
yearly growing less. In early years, that por
ton of Oregon lying westof the Cascade range
supplied this Territory with -four, bacon, and
other staples in the provision trade. Tha,
traffic no longer continues. The valleys o
Walla Walla, Grand Rondc, Powder River
outside Of the Territory, aud our own fertil,
valleys of Boise and the Payette, now ampl,
supply the market with these and other staples
/ Therefore. the trade connection with portlant