The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1871-02-02
The Northern Pacific Railroad.

were let for the building of the East
ern division, reaching across the State
of Minnesota from Duluth, at the
head of Lake Superior, 240 miles to
the crossing of the Red River of the
North. With several thousand men
employed, the grading of this section
is fast approaching completion, and
the iron is being laid at the rate of one
to two miles day. In the mean
time engineers are locating the line
westward through central Dakota;
preparations are completed for the
commencement of work at the Pacific
end next spring, and thereafter the
work of construction will be prose-
cuted from both extremities towards
the center.
In addition to this, the Northern
Pacific Company have recently pur-
chased and practically consolidated
with their OWE line the St. Paul and
Pacific Railroad, embracing some 300
miles of finished road in Minnesota
on which prosperous business is al
ready doing. This purchase removes
all rivalry between conflicting inter-
ests, and practically makes st. Paul
one terminus of the great Northern
road. The Northern Pacific Railroad
system is certainly assuming busi-
ness-likc form, and comprehensive
proportions. Obviously its project
ors do not intend TO bnild a simple
trunk road from East to West and
then wait for profitable traffic to
come to it. On the contrary, they are
at the outset securing such connec-
tions and alliances with the chief lines
of water communication, and with the
railroad system of the Atlantic and
Pacific States, as cannot fail to bring
to it, in addition to its local business,
q large aed increasing share of the
carrying trade between ocean and
ocean. AT Duluth one arm meets the
commerce of the Lakes and the st.
Lawrence; at st. Paul the other east
ern arm connects with the commerce
of the Mississippi river and its tribu-
taries, and with the railroads of the
central and eastern States, concen-
trating at Chicago. These two arms
will unite in Western Minnesota.
From the point of Junction third
branch will extend to Pembina on the
British border, and the trunk line
will traverse central Dakota, and fol-
low the now famous Yellowstone val
ley through Montana. Near the boun-
dairy of Idaho the road will again
branch-one arm following down the
valley of the. Columbia to de-water
at Portland, Oregon; the other strik-
ing directly across the Cascade range
to the main terminus on Puget Sound.
A North and South branch will also
connect the Puget Sound terminus
with that at Portland. At the latter
point connection is made with the
coast lines of road now building
southwark through Oregon and CAL
ifornia. I'D ,r3I-tIs .qs3sfs
Both at Portland and Puget Sound
the road will tap the coastwise and
foreign trade of the Pacific Ocean.
The chief advantages peculiar to the
Northern Pacific route are believed
to be these: /. 1t reduces the dis
tance between the Lakes and the Pa
cific Ocean some 600 miles. 2. 1t les
sens the distance between New York
and the Pacific by water and rail to
the same extent. 3. 1t lessons the
distance between London and Chinese
ports by the trans-continental route
at least 400 miles. 4. 1t traverses a
belt of States and Territories admira-
bly, adapted by fertility of soil, mild
ness of temperature, and equal distri-
button of moisture, to profitable ag-
riculture. 5. Its elevation in the
mountain region is 5000 feet less than
that of other lines, resulting in dim
inished snowfall, mild climate, and
far easier gradients. 6. At convent
ent intervals it intersects numerous
navigable streams-such as the Col
umbia, the Cowlitz, the Yellowstone,
the Missouri, the Red, and the Mis-
sissippi-which drain vast region,
and will serve as feeders to the road.
Z. 1t will partake of the character of
an international route, permanently
controlling the carrying trade of Brit
ish America, and rendering the i'm
portant colonies north of the beun-
Diary, and west of Lake Superior,
commercially tributary to our North
western States.
Already 1t is stated that settlers are |
rapidly crowding to the line of the
Northern Pacific Road in the New |
Northwest, and judging from what is
known of the plans adopted for pro-
noting the settlement and develop
mcnt, through emigration and colo
nization, of the belt ofStates aud Ter
riteries tributary to the line-there |
would seem to be no doubt that the |
corporation upon which the Govern
ment has conferred this great trust, is
determined to make the enterprise |
not only financially sound, but great
ly and permanently beneficial to the
whole country. With its munificent /
endowment of fertile lands, with the
natural advantages this route un-
doubtedly enjoys, and with the far
sighted policy already inaugurated, /
great commercial project could hardly
start under better auspices or with |,
greater assurance of success. a.s.5
EG iala ~ A Confession. -ts
The House of Representatives on
last Friday passed the Senate bill, pro-
viding Territorial Government for
the District of Columbia, with Gov
ernor and Council, to be appointed by
the President. This virtually takes