Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-01-30
The Puget Sound and Columbia River
Railroad.
ITS IMPORTANCE. !.

ITS IMPORTANCE. =
Eb. STANDARD: Sir: l thought of fur
nishing you an article en- the subject of
railroads in Washington Territory, an in.
tercst which at this time appears to mon
opolize general attention, but multiplied
ty Of cares prevented me. l wish, howev-
err, to call your attention to the projected
Puget Sound and Columbia River Railroad,
which taken in connection with the two
railroads which are seeking their way up
through the Willamette valley, involve
grave interests to our people. Much has
been said and I think rather foolshly, on
the subject of the Puget Sound and Co.
lumbia River Railroad, and Ben. Holla-
days connection Herewith. accompanied
with bitter denunciaton of Holiday & Co.
Now why~hould not Holiday build this
road? 1t is important Us an outlet for the
Willamette, and will concentrate the COM
mcrce of that valley and of the great int.
rior, which is now ON the Columbia River.
to some point on Puget Sound. This
commerce, with such an outlet, would in a
few years prove enormous. -
1t is within the recollection of the writer,
when the traffic on the Columbia river
above Vancouver was controlled by the
steamer Belle, Capt. Wells, in semi-wcekly
trips. Then the commerce Of the famed
"Oregon," outside of the Spring and Fall
shipments ofthe Hudson Bay Company aud
Quartermaster' supplies for one or two
posts above the Cascades, consisted Of a
few sacks of -four, siwashcs, and an occa.
sional white man. In a little over a decade
of years - what proportions has that com
mcrce grown? The number and charac-
ter of its magnificent steamers to-day pro-
claim a new life and new era. An abrc-
waited steamer named the Frnir sufficcd
for the Willamette valley, while to-day her
waters are alive with magnificent steamers
that plough their way almost to the base of
the Three Sisters.
Construct these roads, AMI within ten
years the richest way-tradc outside of a
few monopolics, will have been created.
Give an incentive to the agricultural in
terests, subject the rich valleys of Oregon,
and the COwlitz and Chehalis valleys Of
our own Territory to active, scientific hus-
bandry, and it will require the skill Of a
mathematician to foot up tho future re-
suits. Why, then, should not Holiday
build this road? Where can you find
better paying Investment? lie would
have monopoly of this commerce. indie
dependent of what might reasonably be
expected from east of the mountains. You
will observe that l leave out of considera-
ton all the advantages and glorious results
which may be expected to flow from the
building of the Northern Pacific Railroad.
This fills gap not contemplated by that
road, nor is there any provision for this
road in their charter, nor indeed do they
desire any. So far a, the Union Pacific
Railroad is concerned, if the talk of that
road is anything more than 'vndVe to Sc
cure favorable union with the Central
Pacific Railroad, then the Puget Sound
Railroad would become the ally Of the
Union Pacific Railroad, and finally an in
tegral part Of it. Now, Mr.. Editor, have
we enterprise and capital in our own Ter
ritory to build this road? We have not
We are wanting in energy. We have not
the capital; or if We have it, those who
control it will not use it for railroad pur-
poses. Outside of the roads which God
has made for us, we have not reached to the
dignity of decent mule trail Why. thcn,
should We denouncc outsiders who are
willing to invest their labor and capital in
the building Of this road? IF Holidays
goose, while passing over the Territory is
to drop the golden eggs, why strangle the
goose before We get the eggs? Holiday
has the reputation of controlling large
means; he is an active, energetic. live
man. lie has been successful, has large
interests in steamships, and like far-sccing
inancier, he is doubtless paving his way
for the China trade. These things GER
tainly furnish inducements to shrewd
man to build the Puget Sound and Colum-
bia River Railroad.
GRANTS, MORTGAGES AND RELEASES or
THE RIGHT OF WAY TO THE co.
These require no attention. If the con.
dition on which they are predicated fails,
the grantee takes nothing. It might be
we'll toincorporate in these, when executed,
condition that the yatrs Of fare and
fIrieAts should not exceed double the
prices charged on some competing road in
New York or Pennsylvania. Our people
would then guard against monopoly The
only thing which can save the people from
the exactions Of these corporations is, for
Congress to assume the right of revising
the tariff Of prices charged. sr.. ~
THE ROUTE. .+.o.a'
On this subject it is not necessary for
me to enlarge. The road must pass on the
line Of settlements, and furnish facilities
for Q way trade. To make road pay,
the farmers must have facilities for tho
transportation Of their produce. Should
this be. defeated by tho location of the
road, tho company had better seek TO-
some other investment.
lH. THE TERMINI.
Co Hhp thn A. n