New-York tribune., 1870-01-11
ANOTHER GREAT FREIGHT LINE TO TIE
VEST.
. N. Editor Of TAe 7rt6,,n..

10 the Editor Of The 7rtGHne.
SIR: You are aware that between the ALE
sheny and Rocky Mountain ranges, there stretches
territory, embracing million OF square miles, as fertile
and as capable OF sustaining dense population as any
equal area on tho planet That entire tract within your
life time was little than wilderness and hunting
ground with barely few scattered pioneer settlements
on the margins Of the navgabe streams. Such thing
a growing food the west slope OF the Acghenes to
bo consumed on the seacOast not thought Of when
YOU were a child The principal products Of the West
were results Of tho chase, Of traffic with savages.
BY the energy OF hardy and cunning race OF settlers
the same territory has grown TO the strength and wealth
Of an empire already containing third part OF our
aggregate population, aud possessing, among other
inuroyemcns not less than 10000 miles Of railroads
beside many hundreds OF miles Of canals. As an
evidence OF the increasing wealth Of this Central Basin
Il may be stated that In 1867 the 77 miles Of railroad
then in operation eight Of these States transported 10
less than tuns Of freight the estimated value OF
which was SJ39 S25OOO This exclusive OF the stll
greater amounts carried by river. lake, and common
roads to their separate destinations II these results
have been achieved within lifetime what dimensions
set 10 the Internal commerce OF hls same terri
| tory fifty years hencei
The region between the Alcghcuies and the Missouri
River is preGmincntly produce growing country, al
though 1t is by destitute Of mineral and forest
wealth call your attention TO tho fact that great
has been the expansion Of railroad construction within
the past thirty years, II has not kept pace Win tc
demands Of internal commerce Tisi especially the
case in regard the main trunk connections which
unto the astonishing network OF roads between the Ohio
and the chain Of Lakes to the seabOard lines and cen
tiers Of and manufactures cast OF the mountain
chain 1t has been Of the grcaunctl0ns OF our ton
roads 70 enlarge the within which products may bo
pr0Gtsby interchangcd That widening but the
| limit Is not reached.
There is almost universal complaint throughout the
Western States at the present charges Of transportation
from the granheds OF the West to the OF con.
| sumption the Atlantic coast Tho President OF the
Chicago Board Of Trade gives utcranco 10 this disquet
Ia ato speech wherein he says The value OF bushol
OF wheat at the home Of the producer 90 cents
and its value at the home OF the consumer Is N 50 the
difference IN these prices paid TO the intermediate
Tler" Perhaps forcible argument for building
up manufactures at the West could be adduced few
! words
Mr Richards the speaker alluded to- looks, however
10 other remedies for this state OF things and replks
at tho present cost Of transportation II Is plainly for
the Western farmers interest 10 raise wheat
than wants for his consumption 10 raise corn and
Ehp OF il; but feed IT to stock aud export only
hogs cattle pork and beef This state Of things Will
soon prevail" We nee1 not waste words " provo ths