The union Democrat., 1869-04-24
The Railroad Qacstser..

Mr.. EDIroR.-The majority Of the perma
hent residents Of this county seem to favor
the speedy construction of a railroad, fron,
Sonora throngh to the county of S,anislaus,
to some point at or near the San Joaquin Riv-
er. Many Of them through necessity or
for life, or for period at least, and foresee-
ing the great benefits to them from so great
q work, In the way of promoting their own
interests, and business relations evince de-
sire in her welfare, and resolution to aid to
the extent of their abilities. There are
few who stand in their own light, and believe
ihe scheme to be impracticable got up with
false hopes to keep the people from leaving :
they have no faith in the future of the coun-
", and less in themselves, otherwise thew
would give the subject the consideration it
deserves. Some of them have seen prosper
ous days when their voices rang with prais
es of the Gifts and advantages of the county;
but adverse winds having swept away their
gains and hopes, they now fill heaven with
tnalediction and see no good in any under
taking that would improve their condition.
They can be spared for the present, and Tu-
olumne will yet meet with favor at the hands
of many who by past experience Will have
learnt how to improve them.
1t ia needless to advert fully to the induce
iiients held forth by this county, universally
acknowledged to be sufficient u justify spec
dy and energetic measures for the further
ance Of the Railroad scheme, and to bring
about unity Of action without which all
worthy efforts pass into qucksands. Our
lumber interest is prime and unlimited in
supply, and our soil unsurpassed in the
State for the production of gain. our fruits
and wines becoming of broad fame, and un-
told millions of wealth lie hid in our hills and
blacers. A thousand other blessings lie
Within our grasp. and at our feet We pos
sess all that is required to build up and en-
rich our thrifty and enterprising people, and
If we TAI. b evali ourselves Of the advantages
we desetve 10 be poor. A railroad is the on
ly hope of the county, and it is conceded on
all hands that unless we have one we had
better summon funeral to bury all future
hopes and prospects, to depart hence and
leave Tuolumne to revert to her primal state
to be Inhabited by coyotes, grizzlies and dig
ger Indians.
All persons having interests in these noun
tans should meet together, to take prelim-
mary steps towards this great undertaking,
and if they proceed in good faith, :here is no
doubt that the necessary means viii flow in
from some quarter. The contemplated rail
road will necessarily cost great deal of
muney. Congress, Uf course, will grant come
land towards it, and all the counties con
cerned should issue bonds proportionate to
the benefit they might receive.
Tuolumne is deeply in debt, and if there be
no change in her present relations, this debt
will never be paid this side of the millennium
The only way TO discharge this burden is to
increase the Indebtedness by subscription to
khc railroad, which will open a market to all
quarters for our productions, for sale and
exchange, besides promoting our prosperity
n thousand fold, increasing the value of prop
erty and in a word forcing the way to grad
ual and permanent prosperity. Men will
settle where enccuragements and the pros
poets of fortune promise the most, and with
~ railroad for our wants, they will COM
,nence in good earnest to build up homes and
'to develop the resources of our highly favored
region.
.Slumgullion Bar, April 2lst, 1869.