New-York tribune., 1873-01-23
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.
A LETTER FROM MR.. BUSHNELL,

To The Editor Of Thc TrtbuHe
SIR: For 30 years have been constant
reader OF THE TRIBUNE and have no doubt been some
what inspired by its teachings or at least strengthened
thereby purpose do what possible Tor one man
to do in the development of industries and internal
improvements and the opening up OF lines OF commuh
cation throughout widely extended country Moved
largely by the grand appeals Of the founder OF THE
TRIBUNE flor whom / cast my vote for president rs
testimony OF my confidence and afectonl-appeais sus
tained nv represenations that the only way to
secure the union OF the entire country ana
assurances that whoever would have the courage to un
dertake the work would surely reap rich harvest not
only of money but few OF US entered into con-
tract with the of the United States to build
railroad across the continent The necessity OF that
road now seems all but forgotten; the benefits which
have resulted thererom entirely lost sight Of and 1t Ia
even proposed that United States Government shall
commence baseless and annoying suits against U.S. Ana
now write TO ask you, whoever else may read this
who may chance able to onlIghten my Ignorance
the cause of this malignant which sought to be
waged against us
Ia a beoause having 70 years by the terms Of
tract in which, to construct the Pacific Railroad.
finished the great work In but five years at immense ex
ira cost to ourselves thereby saving the United states
Goverpment as the data Of tho War Department will
show over s5OOO0O prior to JAM 1871 s for saw
ing 10 Government $l60oOOOO per annutn, gross
through business for years, in all Sl2.OOO.OOO,
simnly by completing contract years ahead OF
the time speodedi Is it for the reason that by so
Fastening completion OF the road we have begun to
deyelop the silver and lead mines Of Salt Lake Valley
utterly inaccessible and forever useless without the
road 30 that in 1871, 100000 worth OF mineral was
brought out therefrom. and 1872, s20OOOOo worth
and according to average estimates OF the best IN
formed miners of Salt Valley the four which
we have yet remaining in which to complete the road
will show over sOO0OOOOO l0f treasure added to the
wealth OF the nation from that region alonef
livery much wish to know If IL is for such that
We are to sued and that almost the entire press o
the country under great misrepresentation Of the real
facts are urging the Government 10 repudiate its part
OF the contract with Or Is 1t because we made GER
tain amount % money OF the construction OF the
road profit really insignificant when compared to the
immense risks and the greater results ana the unlver
sally admitted fact that we built the best railroad In
every particular the continents Can 1t be possible
that the United States Government seriously proposes
10 repudae its part of the contract us for per
forming our part five years instead of l2 or that any
Congressman or editor would have so great wrong
done or attempted to bo done, moved by no greater
cause than groundless indignation against Oakes Ahes
for trying in simple good faith live up his fair and
honorable prior engagementsf
IL is only necessary. i you would appreciate the cir
cumstances under which entered into the contract TO
bud the road to look at The Congressional Globe Of Juy
l. 1864 and read tho of the Hon. L. B. Wash
burne on the passage of the amended bill which we ac
cepted He ventured predict that it would be impos
sble TO find capitalists who in the midst of great civil
war would embark in such wild scheme, and that who
ever would live thelend OF the twelve years allowed
would miles Of theroad completed west OF
the Missouri River The result has satisfied him that
we were In earnest and that promises have been
more than fulfilled and the subscriber Is not troubled
with the slightest apprehension of bad faith on the part
of the Government ofithe peopleHof this country
when once the return wave OF reflection shall bring
them TO a clearer mind. Respectfully,
Ne1 Haven, Jan. 20, 1873. C. 8. BUSHNELL