New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-30
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD LANDS

THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD LANDS.
OBJECTIONS TO TIE IMMEDIATE RESUMPTION or
wORK-THE EXPENDITURE INVOLVED IN THE
COMPLETION OF THE WORK GREATER THAN THE
NATION CAN AFFoRD-AN APPROVAL OF GEN.
UAZEN's DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW NORTHWEST
TO The Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: Many statements furnished the pubic
from time TO time concerning lands IN the Nc" NOr'h
Wost were doubtless dictated by enthusiastic and
comment desire to aid project that IN tle esua
ton of many solid of our country would be the
great crownng benefit OF the nineteenth century Ana
viewed In all ts ma gnidcent proportions as presented at
the beginning OF the scheme 1t Is not sur
prising that many should have lent encourage
ment by Disgusting disagreeable facts ana CIV
ing to each favorable feature pleasant cooring
Tho idea OF northern route TO the Pacific TO com
mand tho commerce Of the Celestial Empire ana
perhaps tho whole OF Asia and part OF Europe
and he the means of speedily popuating our
wild north-lands aud building up great cities in broad
fertile valleys that were to furnish the world with
bread was well calculated to claim the attention ana
admiration OF both business and literary men, But re-
cent have led TO calm reflection and partial
consideration OF railroad matters And some facts are
presented that to stand greatly In the way Oh I'M
mediate resumption of railroad construction In those
new and sparsey populated regions OF the Far West,
thai are within the great arid belt that spans our country
from old Mexico to the British Possessions Ana among
other things 1t has at last dawnei upon the people Oh
s country and part OF Europe that to construct ana
operate grand network OF railroads In those regions
would involve expenditures far greater In amount than
the people OF this nation at this particular tne
approye The idea too that railroads would BIND the
peope OF the great West exclusively to rural occupa-
ton to aud profit OF Eastern capital
well nign exploded. And hereafter, unless rates OF
transportation greatly reduced by Improvement OF
natural water courses and construction OF ship canals
ruilrA de wi
or no expense plain to be seen that In the future
the West will be necessarily, to considerable extent,
sesustaning and that manufacturing Will engage the
attention Of the people rather than useless ana Tar
worse than useless railroads.
In view OF these facts it would almost absurd to
expect or even 10 desire the speedy completion OF the
Northern Pacific Railroad. But the public is still being
occasionally furnished with resume OF the familiar
old song The last appeared in THE TRIBUNE few
weeks since as a reply Gen. Hazens independent and
truthful account Of The New Northwest" the reply
was well written and contained an absorbing account OF
fine agricultural resources OF Montana and surrounding
country. But some things were lett out winch thA
strictly impartial account should have included Inc
fact was not disclosed that cereals or vegetables OF
any kind are successfully cultivated in Montana IDAHO
and large portions of Washington and Dakota Terri
tories without irrigation was 1t stated that, WIN
the exception of small fractions or narrow STRIPS OF
land living along small streams and one or TWO lnacces-
sibe rivers that are situated in some instances MY
and seyentydye miles apart, the whole vast scope OF
country is and, unless great climatic changes take
pace ever will remain, unavailable for agriculture In
addition to being dry aud parched, the face OF the
country in many places IL positively rough ana some
what pictures0ue and in Winter the climate IS cold
Tho discovery OF rich gold mines In Montana mas re-
suited IN the opening of number or farms, ana pro-
duction wheat potatoes. turnips, beans etc. In I'M
rcd ouantites These products ind ready nome mar
ket at paying prices. Doubtless many OF these Oieu
farmers would rejoice over railroad communication with
inf lfI AZ
A railroad would perhaps, some OF them Duy IN eAcuI
sion ticket and visit America" But as 10 supporting
railroad all that they could contribute would searcey
nav the running expenses OF one snoWplOW' lhe eA-
nense OF keeping open a railroad in the BAD Lands,
the sun in Winter be seen lettering ABOUT the
crest OF some snowdrt and where the storms come u
opposed single forest tree, tWirlng caIeeulS ana
screeclng hundreds of miles over what III summer ap,
mars TO be "A mass Of sun-scorcned ana Dlackeneu
rocks pale ashy mounds, bleak nils, barren plains,
tsses gorges and crooked rayines scattered ABOUT IN
marvellous disorder and geologic Deauty-has not dl
sure. been correctly estimated. - ~,
IL may unfortunate for the Northern Pdcnc fall-
road project the northern portions OI the aria dhu
of this country the least inviting 70 enlgranH anu
the investment OF capital In western
Kansas, part OF Colorado nearly the whole OF New
Western Texas and Southern California IL II lar der
emf These parts covered mainly with the best OF
soil. The climate Is very good, and there are many
large rivers every hand that and Doubtless soon
will be used the CATION Of many millions OF acres
of land that adapted TO the cultivation OF fruits,
cereals aud staple articles OF commerce. ORYILLE.
ST. cloud. Mth,n., May 20. 1874.