The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-03-05
Texas Pacific Railroad

the proposition now being considered IN
Washington city to aid in the construction
Of the Texas Pacific railroad, pointing out
The importance Of this enterprise to the peo-
pie Of Virginia, as part Of the great con-
tineutal line. that is destined to bring the
Valley of Virginia into immediate coramu
nication with the Pacific coast. It will con-
stitute continuation Of the Shenandoah
Valley railroad, from its southwestern inter-
section, and would give us direct rail inter-
course with San Diego, California, opening
up the.vast intermediate territory in Texas,
Arkansas, the Indian coantry, Arizona. and
New Mexico. a simple reference to this
i'm portant work, opens st once to the simind
the many advantages that must flow to the
whole country eastof the Ohio, and the
benefits that must accrue to Virginia 10 ma
king her soil the thoroughfare for the i'm
rnense volumes Of trade and travel that
would follow tbs completion OK the Texas
| Pacific railroad. # s.qi,..
| Not only are the benefits inciaen! to the
new wealth that will becreated, in rescu'ng
from wildness and APPROPRIATENESS an i'm
mense territory of fertile soil, grooming with
mineral wealth, to be considered 10 conuec'
ton with the proposition for congressional
encouragement, but the great saving directly
to the government IN the diminished e1-
penses incurred 10 keeping, the frontier brist.
ling with bayooets,. and supporting an army.
to protect the poor white. Inhabitants. The.
outlay for the military establishment in Tex
as, New Mexico, and Ariz ,na in the items
Of transportation Of supplies is over four
million dollars annually, III addition to the
actual expense Of the army in that section
of six million dollars, apart from lis commits
sary department. It is reasonable to CON
clude that Nth great through line Of rail
road established in tbas country, at, least
one half Of this annual outlay could be dis
pensed with, and the Indian question. which
is now SO seriously engaging the attention Of
IKE government, solved, without the loss Of
life or the expenditure of millions for the
.ppression Of Indian difficulties.
The policy Of the government, as indica-
ted in its appointments to the Indian tribes,
ana its treatment generally Of the Indian
nations, is peace, and the introduction Of the
agencies of civilization To effectually ac-
complish this, the surest method would be
to send that great ciyilizer. the steam en-
CINE, through the country. It Is . terror to
ignorance. and barbarism, ana would throw
open an inviting country, whiehwoald short
/ II swarm with the adventurous spirits of the
age, who would 5e able to-. protect them
selves against auy hostile dem onstratioos of
the Indians, at the same time they would
be building up an empire, where now is all
barrenness and waste.
The plan of relief tor tho Texas and Pa
cifc railroad, which will soon be introduced
IL Congress, is reported to be substantially
as fellows: III.
All the lands Of tue company are to be
sold By a commission appointed under the
authority Of the Uuited States, and the pro-
| ceeas placed in the,treasury 70 the credit IF
tae company. ~
TIE Government is to retain the amount
charged for the transportation Of the mails
and other carrying service. The company
asks tbs United States to guarantee the 10
terest on a Eve per cent. bond, running for
shirt5 years, TO limited sum per mile.
4 Ia confederation Of such an accommoda
ton the company propose to pay the govern
uent liberal per cent. on the gross earn
ings, thus securing the government from loss.
This proposition finds many friends 10 Con-
gress, although it's passage 10 the form Of
bill is not yet assured. There is no doubt
that it will give rise e prolonged discus
sion. .ss,s .ss.a .r5s.
There is go actual appropriation asked. 1t
is simply the endorsement by the govern
ment, Of the bonds Of the Company, to the
amount say OF $25 100000, amply secured
by the property Of the company, increasing
in value as the road progresses and the ter
ritory becomes populated.
When we consider the lavish aid extended
by Congress to ether continental railways
beneftting other sections, and building up
exclusively western aud northern interest.
the proposition ofStbes Texas Pacific rail-
road, would be only approximately eaualizibg
benefits, amd carrying out IA policy Of simple
justice. As national thoroughfare and
line of communications between the Pacific
and Atlantic countries, the advantages it
possesses over all others are apparent Free
from the mountains Of snow which have to
be encountered on the mort bern routes, OBJ
structing progress throughout nearly she en-
tire wiater season. uninterrupted conssnnri-
cation between the extremes Of the country
could be secured. and id. this respect alone
national benefit accomplished. Add to
this the splendid eonatry. 1t would develop,
the savages il would spbdse, the expenses it
would curtail,s and tke5aintrinsic merits Of
| the proposition, 10 epualizfng t favors of