The Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1865-1870, 1869-11-11
THE CONDITION OF THE PACIFIC
RAILROAD.


All men, matters and things Of prom
ineuce become surrounded, one time
ard another, by more or less of that
sort of mystery which grows up out Of
admiration and distrust, extravagant
aud undiscriminating friendships and
enmi,ies, confidence aud suspicion, and
all the various estimates which noto-
rie.y and public dealings are heirs to.
Prominence, like distance, "lends en-
sbantment TO the yiew"-and if not en-
chautment, its twin brother, criticism.
Nothing has stood more prominently as
the mark for all manner of loose com
ments than those great semi national
works, the Central and Union Pacific
Railways; and it is natural and
right that they into whose hands the
construction of those grand enterprises
were entrusted should be freely discussed
ia public and private. The Government
having given largely of its bounty in
aid of these gigantic undertakings it
becomes the duty of Congress to pro.
vide for a rigid examination of the man
rer in which the work of the two COM
panies has been performed and to make
public the result of such Investigations.
The needed inspection was courted by
tee two companies; the peoples repre-
sentatives demanded that it should be
had; and, therefore, in accordance with
q Joint resolution which, ON the 10th of
April last passed the two Houses Of
Congress President Grant selected a
Pacific Railroad Commission consisting
of General Hiram Walbridge of New
York (vice Horace Greeley, decliuing);
Samuel N. FELTON,, General Cyrus B.
Comstock, of the Engineer Corps, U.
S. A, General J. F. Boyd of Kentucky
and Hon. E. F. Wiuslow of Iowa. Each
of these gentlemen is of high social
sad political standing; and their verdict
is worth accepting as true and honest
conclusion. They have lately submitted
a Report which is thus satisfactorily
commented upon and condensed by the
Washington Chronicle of the End inst:
1t will be observed at the start that its
labors have been directed solely to passing
en- the condition of the road, and not on its
management, past or future. The Commits
sion also limits itself to reporting facts and
the estimates called for by tie resolution
which raised it.
The report is clear, direct. and well
tigested. The salient facts are well brought
out; the condition of the two roads sharply
cortrasted, and the whole document written
so as to be clear and readable to the popular
comprehension-great merits in any paper.
The Commission unanimously and une-
guivocally report as the result Of their in
designations, that in their judgment, both of
the roads substantially come up to the re-
quirements of the acts of Congress. They
are, they say,
(D Properly located with iudicious grades
ali the curves within the prescribed limits;
~ Laid on substantial road bed, of good
width and ballasting, which, with proper
care, will keep the track safe throughout the
year.
(3) Furnished with permanent structures
for crossing streams.
IA Good cross-ties, iron and jeint-fasten-
ings and sidings, these latter averaging on
one road already i've per cent; on the other
nine.
t5l Adequate rolling stock; and
(6) Machine SLOPES, engine-houses, water
tanks, &C., the mo.e important buildings
being of solid masonry.
Here we might safely rest and close the
case but the report furnishes further matter
for reflection.
The Commission report temporary dehci- |
eEeies at certain designated points and sec |
tons in the track, bridges, masonry, &C., |
which should be made good in order to COM
p!e;e the road in compliance with the sew
eral acts of Congress. They estimate the
amounts required to do this at
For the Union Pacific road, 81 100000 in |
rcund numbers.
For the Central Pacific road, $4,000.
These are but triiing deficiencies when
the magnitude of the work is taken into esti- !
ration, and small sums compared with the |
power, wealth, and credit of the companies. |
However, to Offset this item, the Commission |
report en- hand, of supplies, rolling stock, |
and material, after deducting a liberal al |
lowance for the immediate future of the |
reads. balance
In favor of the Union Pacific road of ST.
800, 600.
In favor of the Central Pacific road of
more than 81 100000.
This leaves clear balance to-day in favor
- each road of about three hundred thousand
dollars on hand, with steadily increasing
business to swell the daily assets, and a
road.
In fine, this thorough aud exhaustive re-
port may be summed up in a word. Both CT
.ss roads-the Central and Laion--are bmik,
.;s5sfaatiaYy, al compliance 1ith the ta'e.