New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-29

,,, bru, from the Missouri River TO the Pacific
60, ~, tho General Government. for the purpose OF
deIopnr its interests the northwest COAST anu vi
rrasnIne the commerce of the east To avoid tho con
s,tntIopa objections against internal improvements W
Enc overnment within the boundaries OF States he pro-
sed that the road should start at some point on OF Do
vond tho Missouri River at about the latitude OF ~ anu
run thence westwardy only over lands belonging 10 to
Government The plan Of Mr.. Whitney was' on the con-
rarv that the Government should give him charter to
construct such railway for himself and that 1t should
furnish him the means build &c. aud that 1t should be
his This was to be done by starting the road from the
southern point Of Lake Michigan, somewhere near Chi
oago and by giving him ASA whitney, ana bis asso
GATES" ia fee. strip Of domain sixty miles In width,
from starting point to the Pacific shore with all the
public mlnes minerals and timber on the route thrown
in. whitney travelled this scheme among the state
Legislatures and by distributions of the stock of his IL
customary company got several sets Of approving rcsou
lions.
While this was going on the author OF tho History OF
Oregon detachng the essay the Pacific Railway from
the body Of the book printed 1t in pamphlet orm ana
sowed it everywhere in whitney, path This he followed
up with personal letters to prominent men among the
Legislatures in which the private scheme had been in
dorsed These efforts WERE OF course attended with ex
pense but though not instituted with the OF profit.
they were not without reward. One by one, the state
Legislatures which had been deceived revoked their ap
probation of the Whitney scheme, and at length the Two
projects under varying degrees OF pressure met Tor
final contest before the great National Convention, which
sat at Chicago in the Summer Of lSi7. and which was
as august body as ever assembled in this country III
having been announced that Mr. Whitney would appear
before that body and advocate his scheme. Mr. Wilkes
prepared speech, developing the features OF the ma
tonal project and exhibiting the fact that pn
besides being a subordinate idea mere land speeu
lating programme This speech was ntrusted to gen.
tleman Of imposing presence and fine oratorca ability
the author thinking that the youthfuness OF his own APP
pearance at that time would probably deprive him OF
due attention from the audience 1t was delivered before
the Convention while sitting in Committee OF the Whoie
with the Hon Mr. Greeley the chair. II was frequently
interrupted with bursts Of approbatOn and when the
orator sat down. loud cries for Whitney rose from all
parts of the assembage. Whitney present but so
| overcome was he by the repeatedly expressed
condemnation Of his scheme, that he retired without
answering the cali Resolutions were then offered, in-
dOTsing and recommending to the adoption OF the GOV
the plan for National Railroad to the Pacific
by George Wilkes Of NewYork" and when the general
acclamaon ended the resolutions we're declared carried
by Mr. Greeley who doubtless has lively recollection OF
the whole affair. From that hour, nothing more was
heard Of Mr. Asa Whitney; but in the following week. In
obedience the resolutions the Committee OF Roads ana
Canals of the House of Representatives, before whom the
two plans had been referred ndorsed the views of Mr.
wilkes and reported bill for appropriation Of $4,000
| for q survey Of the route.
This bin did not pass but 1t IS not necessary at
this time, to wade through the various incidents
which followed TO delay the project. The au'
thor OF it continued to press 1t with his pen ana
means from time to time but being man Of more
than one idea he divided his efforts upon other things,
and having speculation in hseye he was content see
his thought carried forward by the growing cOmprehen-
sion OF the country He did not however fairly turn MS
pen away from the subject until the Rebellion opened.
and as an evidence that he did not seek to profit by his
labors he never again alluded TO them TIL the railway
| WA finished and
| been given away. j.
| Now however, that the contributor to prominent
Journal calls for light upon the subject, and when for
want OF an from the proper party rretendef
might appear, we feel we have right 10 speak We
claim therefore that the Editor OF this paper was the
originator OF first proposal for railway to the Pachc
and that road which has resulted TO the country mas
been built substantially upon his plan. IL any one has
| higher claims, let him come forth aud speak!
| "eNO Esprit OF the Times.