New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-23
WESTERN PACIFIC RAILROAD TERMINUS.

To the EdftOr or the Trt6une.
SIR: The Pacific Railroad was completed
from the Missouri River to the shores Of the San Fran
cisco Bay nearly year ago. Passengers and freight
transferred from the Metropolis of the Pacific to the
Overland Railway by dminutye ghtdraft ferries which
ply between its wharves and the village Of oakland
eight miles distant Seagong vessels and cars cannot
DC brought together there are four miles OF shoa
water still intervening from four to ten feet in
depth only This breakage of bulk and carriage Of freight
from ships to by roundabout ferry Is clumsy
tedious and expensive arrangement Yerbs Buena
Island lies six miles the City OF San Francisco
than the present terminus OF the Western Pacific Rail
road and 1t proposed to extend the track across the
Bay pfng, the island, that the terminal depot
shall actually deep water. This island is the only
piece Of ground In the bay San Francisco which has
the necessary depth Of water 1t Is in possession OF the
Government and small fort ia erected on one end OF it.
The whole acres and half OF that area is su
fcient for military purposes.
The Railroad Company ask the right to lay their tracks
and erect their waryes the island because the
ent terminus Is inadequate, and must be abandoned
The question has where they shall erect their
shops and depot structures. II TIE Government grant
the necessary authority they will place them on this
the spot to be by the most il not the only suitable
place the bay. 1t is valuable for this purpose but OF
little use for any other peace. In OF war;
the railroad communication would be of Invaluable ser
vice 10 the Government.
As friend to the Company well as to justice, ask
attention the explanations of this matter by Messrs
Wheeler and Axe before the House OF Representatives
schemes OF a few designing men in Washington
this reasonable request OF the Company has been
made 10 appear a corrupt job Nothing could be fur
ther from the fact it would cost, according to es
mate fully two millions to erect the necessary structures
the Company unwilling to pay additionally for the
privilege. Commercial interests will be benefited even
mina point Of the Pacific Ralroad-less than two miles
from the san Francisco wharves Congress should re-
great regard TO the convenience or cost TO the public
Congress now has the power and should not lose the
opportunity to fix the terminus OF the great railroad
line where it will he OF the greatest advantage to all
NeT- York. June %, 1870. GOLDEN GATE
DEBATE CONCERNING YERBA BUESA ISLAND.
On the 10th inst before the of Representatives,
Mt Wheeler from the Committee the Pacific Railroad,
reported bill relating to the Western Pacific Railroad.
The preamble declared the necessity for having the
western terminus OF the chain Of railroads connecting
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans as near as possible 70 san
Fl Ysrh uans in he baS Of San Francisco shall be
reserved for Government Notifications and military pur-
poses, and the other half be granted u the western
Pacific Railroad Company as terminus; inc e., United
States is TO the free OF the whole island ~
The trestle pile work over the channel
shall open work constructed under the supervision OF
the u S. Engineer department All other railroad com
panies shall have the right to the track from the
OF the costs and expenses of the improvements. 900
Mr. Wheeler stated that the object was so to utilize the
great work OF communication between the oraBs to
realize the greatest possible advantages Inc sohngur
nection between Oakland the present terminus and San
Francisco which hut eight miles apart ~ water ex
miles Large shoals prevent the passage OF vessels OF
any considerable draft from approaching within miles Of
oakland the nearest point OF aIproach 10 IT, for them,
is Yerba Buena Island To reach this island the railroad
is willing to expend millions of dollars In building trestle-
work these flats, distance Of three and three
quarters miles The benefit 20 the Government which
q communication with this island which commands
the entire harbor OF San Franccco will confer in time OF
war can scarcely be estimated.
Mr. Knott moved 70 amend by inserting requirement
that the Railroad Company shall pay 100000 for the
island. He considered that the Company had already
received sufficient assistance from the Government He
halh at the pf thp than
100000 II was a question whether the Government
should give this away sell 1t for what 1t worth,
and the proceeds to pay it, honest debts He
sidered $2,0OOC0O a reasonable price,
Mr.. Axtcl pointed out that there was proposition
from the Government the House TO sell the island.
The bill provided that the road to IL should be built
within three years. The S. 10000 0O0Oo0 offers for
the island after-dinner talk. The citizens OF
San Francisco warmly interested In favor Of the
improy ement which would add vastly 10 the prosperity
OF that city. That when company asked permission at
their cost TO construct bridge four miles long To
cut down a OF rocks, to build wharyes and
warehouses point OF rocks nearly inaccessible
and entirely useless IL is neither sound public policy
wise craftsmanship for TO prevent them from
pshing this grand Undertaking.