The union Democrat., 1870-11-12

Wien the people Of San Joaquin county
aud the city of Stockton. voted $500, 900, to
the Stockton and yisa,ia Railroad almost
unanimously, the people Of these mountain
counties felt confident that by another year
they would begin TO experience benefit by
railroad communication being brought rearer
to them. The company to whom this aid
was extended was composed of men interest
ed in the city Of Stockton. and they were pro-
fuse in their promises CT Immediate construc-
ton. IL the people would only guarantee them
the $500, 900 aid. After the aid was granted
and Gov. Haighs issued his remarkable let
ter, all efforts at tho construction of rail-
road was suspended and litigation commenc-
Ell to find a construction Of law, before lay
ing rails. In other COUNTIES subsidies have
been granted since that to the Stockton and
Visalia road, and Notwithstanding the Gov
ernor's letters, those counties have issued
bonds and built their roads. From indica-
tion4this legal matter viii not be determined
until all parties interested are worried out
of all patience and possibly willing to throw
up the project. The hopes ofour people d.
rect their attention to any project that prom
ises them better means than they now have
of getting their produce to market. Stock
ton is the natural outlet for all our trade, and
so long as she presents equal facilities with
other points, of course she will be entitled to
enjoy such benefits as may be derived from
controlling our trade and transportation. A
few days since the Stockton papers gave as
good reason to think the Copperopolis rail-
road would be commenced, and ten miles of
it completed by the first of March next. The
people of that city raised a few thousand dol
lars to pay off an incumbrance that was in
the way of further operations. Subsequent
ly it appears some hitch occurred between
those who were to 60. on and build the road
and parties IN San Francisco, who hold a
large judgment against the old company.
Stockton seems to be very unfortunate in be-
ing able to secure railroad advantages. IF
that city delays much longer, the chances of
retaining~the mountain business of this sec
ton will be hazarded and perhaps lest. The
road that the Central Pacific Company are
building will be considerably nearer to this
county than Stockton. The road from here
to where it crosses the Tuolumne river is bet
ter the year through than the road to Stock
ton. If our freight and passengers commence
to travel By this route it will be difficult to turn
it back again, as with the travel and business
the facilities will be constantly improved and
the Central Pacific Company will not be will-
ing to give up business they once get, without
an effort to retain it. The citizens of Stockton
by this time should see the necessity, the
vital Importance, of securing now, while j.
may be done, the traffic of this section, which
with railroad transportation is bound at no
distant future to be of great benefit to any
point that controls it. The building Of either
the Stockton and Visalia or the Coopperopo-
lis road. will secure large trade for all fu-
ture to Stockton, these roads are necessity
for the prosperity Of that city, without them
its chances Of progress will be seriously re-
tarded. The people of San Joaquin county
and that city should not wait longer and lose
the great benefits that should naturally ac-
crue from having the control Of the mountain
trade.