Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-02-13

interesting letter from Mr. Philip Ritz, Of
Walla Walla, dated Washington, Jan. 4:
We reached here in nine days travelling
time from Boise City, probably the shortest
time ever made overthis part Of the conti-
nent. as We took construction train So
miles west Of Bryan, the usual passen ger
depot, thereby saving over 80 miles Of tedi.
GUS staging.
EXPENSES OVERLAND.
Twill give you list of expenses on the
route. as this will probably become quite a
thoroughfarc for Northwestern people.
took my own conveyance to Boise city,
distance of 253 mile; from Walla Walla !;
fare by stage, $40, gold, and about sl2 for
meals, ETC., time three days. From Boise
City to Salt Lake, 4)2 miles, we took the
stage--timc three days and half; fare
500 currency, Git is all currency after We
leave Boise City. meals $40 IS. From Salt
Lake to end oftrack, 80 miles, $23. TO
Bryan where We took the regular passcn-
ger train, So so, meals So; to Omaha,
S64 %; meals and sleeping car, 81 %.
To Washington City, $40; meals AMI
sleeping coach, So; making sum total
from Walla Wala to this city Of 1923 %
currency, cach. This is the entire ex-
pcnscs without laying over.
Bryan is about 200 miles west of the
Rocky Mountains.
NATURE OF THE ROAD.
We took magnificent sleeping coach on
the west side of tho Rocky mountains and
awokc next morning at Cheyenne city, EN-
tircly out of the Black Hills, distance Of
nearly 200 miles from where We took the
coach. We could scarcely realize that the
day before, We had been three or four hun
dred miles west of the Rocky Mountains.
The road is well built and great por-
ton Of the way very straight, so that when
anything is properly regulated, good time
can be made. There is one stretch of 90
miles almost as strai yht rs line. Coming
down to North Platte We ran one stretch of
IL miles in I minutes.
Saw no buffalo on the route, and but two
or three droves Of antelope. We did not
see wild Indian on the route. They have
gone with the bufialoes.
When it becomes desirable and ncces-
sary for the Government to open up mail
routeor an emigrant highway over the con-
tincnt, there is no cheaper nor more exrc-
ditious way than to build u railroad through
that country. 1t eiiectnally disposcs of
the Indian question:.
RECEIPTS OF THE ROAD.
The earnings of this are enormous.
was told that at the little station Of Bryan,
the receipts for passengers alone during
November, were over S43 900, and that
the actual receipts Of the road each day,
will almost pay for the next days work at
the end of the track This is perfectly as.
tonishing, as no ono thought to make any
particular account of the way business
through this barren country. 1t shows
what our Northern road will TO when built
through rich agricultural, grazing and
mineral country, such as it will pass
through.
AT OMAHA.
The company arc at work on their new
bridge at Omaha, and have Il temporary
bridge on the ice for this winter. so that
trains can now pass without breaking car
go. saw one red Boston car that had
straycl away from the Hub" and was
west of the Rocky Mountains, going to the
cndHf the track
l have not seen point on the entire
route that consider as good place for ill.,
vcstment as Council Bluffs or Omaha.
The bridge at Omaha, which il cstima-
ted will cost $4,000, 900, is bound to cause
a large number of railroads to concentrate
at this point, rs the company have the
power to dictate terms to other railroads
sending freight or passengers over the east
ern part of their road, SO as almost to COM
pei them to pass on their bridge. This
Union Pacific Company is already an i'm
mense corporation, excrtiny powerful in
auence upon all roads pointing towards it.
RAILROADS IN GENERAL aA
Railroadingjs being reduced to science
here in the East. The large and moro
wealthy companies are combining in most
every direction and becoming powerful
monopolies, crushing all small enterprises
that may start near them. The earnings
Of the Pennsylvania Central company have
reached the enormous sum Of SIS, 0O0, 900
per month.
TALK OF A STATESMAN.
I called on Governor Geary as I passed
through Harrisburg found hima states
man Of the most liberal aud generous ideas,
entirely alive to the interests Of our coast,
and particularly to those of the Northern
Pacific Railroad. He said it would be his
policy for the Government to assist in
building the Northern and Southern Pacific
roads, II it took the last dollar in the
Treasury; but he agreed ID tho opinion
that it would not be necessary to use sin
gle dollar in cash for that purpose. He ID
practical civil engineer and promises to
come to Washington this winter to assist
in bringing the matter before Congress.
With the influence and hearty cooperation
ola few such men. as Governor Geary there
III L. L..k Hall ice >,.k,, e.