, 1874-04-30


and trade are carried with them, where
neither before existed. From the line
of the Union Pacific, near the centre of
the continent, narrow guage railroads
are being pushed into the rugged noun
tain defiles of Montana and Idaho, and
over the arid desert toward the Mexican
border. Though the object of these
several enterprises are not demonstrable
by existing facts and statistics. yet their
wisdom is comprehended in the charac-
ter of their projectors and managers for
business sagacity, and results have
proved the success of like experiments.
The projected line of railroad from
Seattle to Walla Walla is no doubtful
experiment, dependent for success upon
fortuitous circumstances. All the ele-
ments of success are here in abundance,
only awaiting the means of transporta-
ton. Within 25 miles of Seattle. IL
rectly on the line of this railroad. are
two coal mines under the management
Of Incorporated companies, who propose
to ship 500 tons of coal daily whenever
a railroad connection is made with this
port. This, at the very low rate of so
cents ton, would amount to S75, 900 a
year for one article on a one-tenth sec>
ton of the road. This is only for i'm
mediate present use in business which
is capable of rapid expansion upon an
llllmitable base of supplies. Further on
the road passes through inexhaustible
iron beds of an excellent quality, which
will undoubtedly be soon utilized and
thus largely increase the transportation
business of that section. Then comes
partially developed quartz lodes of the
precious metals, with the most promis-
ing indications, abounding throughout
the mountain regions, which are only
awaiting improved travel and transports
alton facilities, to attract thousands of
explorers and miners. Passing through
thatregion. not over 60 miles fromSeattle,
the line of the road enters the valley of
the Yakama, famous as the pasture
lands of the finest beef and mutton pro-
duced in the world; from thence it pass
es through the Upper Columbia basin,
which embraces country four hundred
miles in extent from north to South,
and an average width OF about one hum
dred miles, abundantly watered by in
Vulnerable springs, streams and rivers,
with climate unequalled in salubrity
and soil unsurpassed in the production
Of cereals, grasses and fruits by any in
the world; nothing is lacking TO make
it one of the most populous and prosper
GUS agricultural districts of the Union
but timber, fuel. and easy access to
sea port, all of which this railroad will
supply. At this end of the route the
supply of lumber and coal is inexhaust-
ible; at that end the demand is nnlimit-
ed. Estimating the wheat freight to
this port at 100, 900 tons, paying $780,
900 annually, the return freights Of coal
and lumber to supply the demands of
that section, will be at least as much,
making an aggregate of 81, 200, 900 with
out counting the way trade, transporta-
ton Of merchandise, cattle or other
products, or the travel and emigration
which this route would open, all of
which would swell the aggregate receipts
to at least 81, 500, 900: one half the cost
of the road. 1t is certain that no other
railroad project on the continent offers
so profitable an investment.