The union Democrat., 1869-07-17
Crooked or straight Road.

the gigantic monopoly known as the Central
Pacific Railroad Company Intends to have Its
own way in all the matters pertaining to the
controi and direction Of the great national
highway. 1t does not hold itself in suffice
tion 10 aay idea that the railroad was de-
signed for general service and accommodation ;
bur on the contrary, il is carried on an
enterprise that entirely ignores the rights OF
individuals in favor OF the cerporatien. Le-
cislation cf the most stringent character Will
be necessary to curb the company down to a
lust appreciation. that the reopie have rights
snd claims on this road. other than wha, the
pleasure or greed OF the company shall not
be able to subvert. The work was projected
as one Of national character, built almost en-
tirely By national grants and subsidies. and,
if no other recourse NAV be available, its
management should be placed in the hands of
those who shall have a regard for The public
interest California largely aided and en-
couraged the enterprise from it's inception to
the final completion, veS our people seem
likely to be benefited only in nauc. The
company levy such heavy exsctionS upan
traffic and travel over the line that they be-
come direct embargo to commence and inn
migration. Tribute is being exacted instead
of reasonable tariff for its use. 1t is not to
be presumed that such a condition Of affairs
will be tolerated from those who have grown
wealthy and powerful on national bounty, al
though At present this company have the
great public ION its hip" In few wears
we shall have other railways crossing the
continent, and the Isthmus route aud the
ocean voyage. by the way of Cape Horn. will
continue to divide business with the Overland
highway.
In California the Central Pacific has start
ed out on the presumption that il can control
and divert business at its own pleasure, and
it expects within few moaths to change the
current that for years has drifted in one di-
rection to another that subjects the public to
Inconvenience, and presents no advantages
u recommend it. For a while it may sue
ceed in carrying passengers bv the Western
Pacific route to San Francisco, by circuitous
course that takes the traveller nearly fifty
miles away from q direct line. but if statistics
of railroads teach any lesson it is this, that
straight lines will be patronized, and that the
course that Nature indicates and art has i'm
proved will become eventually alwavs the
more popular route. The natural western
terminus of the Central Pacific Railway is at
Vallejo, and mans ingenuity cannot remove
the obstacles that impede the construction of a
branch by the circuitous route that looks to
reaching San Francisco BY rail. If travel
seeks comfort and cares not for time, it must
choose between the land or river route, via
this point while if time, safety and reasona-
BILE security are an object. the California
Pacific Railroad will recommend itself to all
travellers. When completed to Marysville it
Will be ia direct connection with Oroville,
from whence road is already projected
! IL. 4. IL >, Al
This route, as shown from observation and
actual survey, is the best known for crossing
the Serras in this latitude; and for Winter
travel presents none of those disadvantages
which imperil life and comfort on the Dutch
Flat Road. The course diverges from a
straight line to Truckee no more than the
Central, and offers this recommendation, that
for two-thirds of its distance 1t passes through
n fertile agricultural region. 1t may be
doubted whether the effort to construct such
road will soon be carried into effect, yet it
is not near so absurd proposition as 10 sup
pose that the present continental line shall
run around the bav of San Francisco to avail
itself Of trade and traffic that in the course of
events must concentrate here, or on this route.
1t only needs for the Central Pacific to con-
tinue to recognize no interests but those of
Stanford, Crocker q Co.. to give a stimulus
to enterprise and capital to embark in the n:
struction of road through Beckwourth's
Pass, which road will not then be allowed to
terminate on the Trdckee, but shall be taken
up and continued to junction with the Union
Pacific In this manner, if no other means
avail, shall the. people be able to control the
gigantic monopoly that bids fair to eversha-
dow the land, and contrive to force it to sa-
crifce some of its schemes Of selfish aggran-
dizement for the benefit Of the public and COM
munity.