The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1871-06-01
THE NEW RAILROAD PROJECT.

Competition 10 the ilio Oh Cno "oiiu. 0"oo
the Northern Pacific is now q certainty, and
the Central Pacific, on account OF heavy grades,
5aen SHOWS and the barrenness of the country
through which it runs, is clearly proven to be
not the true and best route, the Union Pacific
and the various central lines from Omaha east
ward. have awakened TO the absolute neces-
sity of extending the U. P. SO that it may, in
dependent of the G. P, have through line OF
it's own, connecting with California and with
the points the N P. is aiming at, thereby max
ing the u. P. the master of the situation, and
winner Of the prize OF the grand transconti-
mental trade, as well as having much larger
local trade, on account of the superiority OF
the country the new branches traverse; there
fore we place credit in the late cheering news
that there is being formed new and grand
railroad combination for the purpose OF build
ing road to connect the Union Pacific with
the California Pacific and the Holiday Ore
pon road. The new road is to be in the inter-
est of. and is to be built by combination OF,
the Pepnsylvania Central, Pittsburgh and Fort
Wayne. Chicago and Northwestern, Union Pa
cifc Holidays Oregon Company, and the
California Pacific. The first four named are all
great, rich and powerful companies; the two
last are being built, and are raising capital, and
have secured valuable rights. and all combined
can easily command the capital to build and
equip this new road without any assistance
from Government or local aid. All they want
is the right of way, and this cannot be refused
This new road is intended to be an extension
of the Union Pacific, from northern extremity
of Salt Lake, through our Territory over the
plateaus of Snake River to the Christmas
Lakes in Oregon; and from thence it will
branch out into two roads, one extending to
California, connecting with the California Pa
cifc at Davisville, Yolo county, and the other
connecting with Holidays road coming from
the Willamette Valley and Portland. There
are several favorable and practicable routes
and passes for these two branches to choose
between, and these branches would open for
settlement vast extent of firstclass agricul-
tural lands The country passed over is not
only vastly superior for settlement-and hence
for great local and selfsupporting trade-to
the route of the present Central Pacific, but
the grades will be comparatively light, the
country being less mountainous. and, again,
the fall of snow is far lighter. 1t is generally
acknowledged. now, that great mistake was
made in the location of the present line of the
Central, and the vast superiority of this new
route, in every respect, has already been proven
by actual surveys and explorations. The same
advantages, to much greater extent, exist in
favor of this contemplated road over the
Northern Pacific. So that natural and other
causes make this new road q certainty, the
completion of which is bound to be fastened
with all possible dispatch. We believe it will
be built and running long before the Northern
Pacific is completed, which is now being rapid.
ly constructed, its vast land grants alone afford
ing sufficient inducements to make its bonds
saleable, and the capital forthcoming for it'
construction. With railroad running through
the whole extent of the southern portion o
our Territory, connecting us with California
Oregon and the East, and also railroad
through our northern territory, what can pre-
vent the speedy development of our immens
mineral wealth, great influx Of population
the permanent settlement of our numerous
rich aud fertile valleys, and the covering of on
vast grazing range with immense herds of cat
tie and sheepi This is no fancy sketch; tn
dream, if dream it is, will be realized befor'
we are aware of it. If we who are here vii
but still hold on, we will yet reap rich rewardl
for our rough pioneer life. The outlook fol
Idaho is cheering; the future is splendid with
promise.
Civilization 10 measured these days by th'
facilities of communication, in fact, it reall,
consists in the ability to transport things where
they are needed; hence commerce cuts grea
figure in the civilization and progress of /.
country. It is this interchange of products
as well as thoughts and ideas, this trade, ant
attrition as it were, that has produced civiliza
ton. We of Idaho, on account of our remote
ness, our inaccessibility, have been, SO to speak
out of the world; have been classed among
the barbarians; having been entirely dependen
upon the old.fashioned means of transporta
lions by stage coaches, wagons and pack ami
mails, our progress has necessarily been slow
What has caused the wonderful advance Of al
fha Wosferu 9fataa Ia fba ouick and snaad,