The Weekly Arizonian., 1869-03-28
THE WEEKLY IRTZONTAN
SUNDAY MARCH 2s, 1869.
RAILROAD SUBSIDIES.

to the Central and Union Pacific Railways was, no doubt, in part, Q feeling of impatience to see the work progress and to have, s soon as possible, this connecting band in operation between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. l. could not have been the conviction in Con- gress, that subsidy was necessary to the existence, at some future time, of a railroad across the continent; private enterprise had already taken this in hands and t should uu- doubtedly have been aceomp plished-compa- nies were organized, or in process of organi- zation, and the only result consequent to the interference of Congress is that the road will, in all probability, be completed some yeas sooner than 1t could otherwise be- Now the Southern Pacific route, and that on the 32d parallel have now, greater claims to govern meDt aid, than had IhOse to the north, to which subsidies have been granted These latter having, first received aid and ercour- agement, will, 1t is evident for time at least control all the commerce across the continent TAis monopoly they owe to Congress, while 1t was, doubtless, unmindful of the fact that rendering double support at one point, and refusing to offer any at another, was simply des,royinc the interests of one section of coun[ try for the aggrandizemsnt of another, and less important section. Congress having viewed the claims of one party and enabled it to monoponze such interests as must result from a trans.continentaI railway in operation, is, in justice, bound to offer similar inducements to the construction of roads upon the southern routes also; not only to ensure the building of roads upon these routs but to encourage their completion at an early day This is due to Arizona and New Mexico, which Territories have felt most. and have most plainly seen the consequences of bestowing aid entirely at a single point thus leaving interests to the south which must ultimately be the greater, to develop themselves, It is certain, however, that our claims to government aid have not passed unnoticed; but nothing more than the right of way has, as yet been granted the 32d parallel route. This. alone, Insures the ex- istencs of road at some future date upon this route but the interests of the Territories situated here, demand th at this shall be some thing more than mere question of time Great results, among which will be the anni- hiation of the Indian opposition and the de- velopment of minerals unsurpass ed in richness and abundance await the existence of a road upon the 32d parallel-and the fact that this route is by far the cheapest as well as the safest and therefore, the best over which 8 railroad can ever be built to the Pacific, IS now so we'll established that none seem in' clined to dispute on this point Moreover, it is absolutely necessary that means of ingress and egress, to and from these Territories be considered Here are we of Arizona hem- med in, in such manner (and our neiEhbors ofNew Mexico are hardly better provided for) tha: the prices paid for freight upon goods imported to the Territory are quite eXhor, bitant Often. an amount fully equal to the value of cargo of goods when delivered at the nearest steam boat wharf or railroad depot, is paid for its freight thence, by wagons, to the place of delivery in the interior This order of things can bsremeded by railroad through the Territory and by that only-and we look to our delegate in Congress, and to all those who have thus far aided in tho west ward march of empire, to view our claims and lend their best support to the project of build ing road upon the 32l parallel route