The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-02-12
OREGON RA1LRoADs.-We invite at


OREGON RAILRoADs.-We invite at
tention to what our Washington CORES
pondent says concerning the prospects for
aid to the railroads on the east side of
the river The statements are corrobor-
ated by news from other sources from
Washington SO that it would seem the
reports which were current here some
DAYS ago, were not without solid founda-
ton. Mr.. CASTOR, President of the West
Side Railroad Company, and Judge Oh
ney, representing the Astoria and Salem
company, are. working together In the
matter of securing aid, having made such
mutual arrangements as practically con-
solidate the interests of the two roads.
In our opinion this will prove fortunate
angement for all concerned, as the
points will especially commend itself to
Congress as necessary military measure,
while the subsidy of lands for the COM
bined roads will be more valuable and
more quickly available than that Of any
other road in the State As we under
stand the matter the interest in any grant
obtained will be joint, so that it may be
at once used for the completion of the
Portland and Hillsboro section of the
road. This is of the most immediate
importance to this city and the country
west of the willamette river, and we
congratulate the parties interested, in the
improved prospects of an immediate re-
sumption Of the work. 1t seems, from
our intelligence, that the act of Congress
granting the subsidy, is all that is now
wanting to enable the company to close
contracts for material sufficient to COM
plete the first section during the coming
season. As to the reasonable expectation
that Congress will act promptly and fa-
vorably, it may be mentioned that in this
| case there are no adverse influences to
overcome, while it may be shown that the
grant of land will not only not reduce the
quantity of available agricultural and
pastural lands along the line, but will
add thereto by opening communication
with many small valleys between Astoria
and Hillsboro, which are now practically
unavailable for Oregoniaa,.
THE CANAL AROUND THE FALLS OF
THE WILLAMETTE.-Last summer the
Peoples Transportation Company worked
energetically and successfully in cutting
away the rock and deepening the chan
mel Of the canal leading into their basin
at this place. During the same time the
Company built good substantial stone
wall from 8 to II feet high, on the east
or land side of the canal for distance
of twelve hundred feet. The basin and
canal extends from some four hundred
feet below the falls of Clnemah, dis.
tance Of some two thousand five hundred
feet. All this portion of the proposed
canal is now built and in such good CON
dition that it will not require lock. A
few days since we saw a map of this
canal, drawn by Mr.. Belden, civil eugin
eer, who surveyed it for the Company
From it We learn that there is yet eight
hundred feet cf canal to build, aud thai
in this eight hundred feet there viii
be three locks. We are also informed by
a prominent member and officer of tn.
Company, that it is the intention of the
Company to push forward this enterprise
with all possible dispatch, and have the
whole canal completed within two year
from this time. We sincerely hope tha
this accommodating aud deserving Com
pany may realize its most sanguine ex
pectations--E -EnterDrise