The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1872-02-29
The PROPOSED RAILRoAD.-Ia the Con-


THE PROPOSED RAILRoAD.-Ia the Con-
gressional Globe of January 2sth we find the
speech made in Congress by Hon. j. H. Slater,
of Oregon. in advocacy of the bill granting
the righ. of way and lands to aid in the con-
struction of the Portland, Dalles and Salt Lake
Railroad. We are glad to see that Mr.. Slater
is endeavoring to push this bill on the attention
of Congress, and hope that it will pass before
the adjournment The bill contains no ohjec-
tionable features, as the lands proposed to be
granted or set apart to aid in the construction
of the road, are to remain subject to the right
of actual settlers to purchase such lands from
the Government, and not from the railroad
company, at price not exceeding 81 oO per
acre. The bill was so drafted as not to be In
the interests of monopOlists or land-grabbers,
but on the contrary its passage will inure to
the benefit and advantage of settlers upon the
public domain through which the road is to be
constructed. Its provisions are so carefully
hedged around with restrictions that no land
monopoly can grow up under the shadow and
protection of the corporation; and we are
confident that its passage by Congress will not
only meet with the unqualified approval of, but
be hailed with JOY by, every settler along the
proposed route. The odiOus features which
have distinguished every grant of land by Con-
gress to other roads are not to be found
in the bill now pending in behalf of the Port
land, Dalles and Salt Lake road, and we see
no reason why early and favorable action may
not be expected at the hands of our Congress.
soral public servants. 1t is measure of vi
tai Importance to Eastern Oregon as well as
to Southern Idaho and Washington Territory
is almost equally interested in the early con-
struction of the proposed road The Congres-
sional delegation from the Pacific coast should
unite in the endeayor to secure early and
prompt action on the bill as it is not political
measure, and the future welfare and prosperity
of a country, which is an empire 10 extent, Is
involved in the fate of this bill. The passage
Of the measure will no doubt be streDuousy
opposed by the Northern Pacific Railroad Com
pany, as the new road, acting as feeder for
the Union Pacific, would without doubt seri-
ously affect the business of that line. The
snow blockade on the Union Pacific is sufficient
evidence of what may be expected on road
constructed so much farther north, as on the
line surveyed for the Northern Pacific; and the
construction of the Portland, Dalles and Salt
Lake branch may be, therefore, considered
necessity to the whole Northwest With the
active aid and assistance Of the u. p. company,
we believe that our bill can be passed, and un-
less that company remain blind to their own
interests we shall have that assistance. Mr..
Slater 10 entitled To the thanks, not only of his
own constituents, but of the people OF the
whole northwest coast for his able efforts in
behalf of this important enterprise; and we
hope that our worthy Delegate, Hon. 5. a.
Merritt, will leave no stone unturned in furth-
ering this great and important undertaking
We must have a railroad, cost what it may.
The necessity of its early construction is be-
coming more apparent day BY day; and the
certainty of an early inauguration of work on
the road proposed would do more to stimulate
all branches of industry in our Territory than
all the appropriation bills ever passed BY Con-
gress for the benefit Of Idaho.