The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1874-02-12
P.D. AND s. L. RAILROAD.

Ill.
troduced bill "providing for the construction
OF the Portland, Dales & Salt Lake Railroad
which he supports by the ablest speech made
in the Senate during the present session. We
have not seen the bill, but publish the speech
entire, as it covers the whole ground, and is
masterly and Incompatible presentation of the
reasons why the bill should become a law:
Mr.. MITCHELL asked, and by unanimous
consent obtained, leave to introduce Dill Is
No. 33I) providing for the construction OF the
Portland, Dalles aud Salt Lake Railroad and
Telegraph, and for the performance of all
Government Service free of charge; which
was read twice by its title.
Mr.. MITCHELL. Mr.. President, do not
intend at this time to detain the Senate with
any extended remarks In reference to the meas
ure lust submitted; and knowing rs l do the
imperative demands now being made upon the
time and attention Of Congress by the financial
and other great national questions OF the hour,
| beg pardon for trespassng upon that time
and attention even for few minutes; but as
the title of the bill reported by me might lead
to misconception of the real nature and char
acter of the measure proposed, l deem 1t but
lust and proper. before moving its reference to
onnropriate committee, aud submit few words
in explanation of its objects and probable eff
fects.
lam not n silent listener, Mr.. President, nor
am one of those who would turn deaf ear
70 that unmistakable and imperative voice of
the people of the whole country which demands
economy and retrenchment in the public ser
vices nor TO that equally impressive voice that
demands of the national Congress such legisla-
ton as may operate to provide suitable trans
portation to those who are without IT, aud to
cheaper it where eXtortIon now prevails. ana
thus neutralize to some extent the unwarranta-
BILE exercise of questionable powers by corpora
tons over the rights of the people; and 1t Is IN
obedience to these two great demands OF the
country and in the real interests OF the Gov
eminent and the people, that | submit the
measure now under consideration; ana Al
though this bill is substantially the creation "i
the Portland, Dalles and Salt Lake Railroad
Company, and as it now stands receives, rs !
am informed, the approval oil the president "'
the company. Colonel W. w. Chapman. whose
untiring efforts in advocating the Interests oi
This enterprise deserve commentator, il nj
fords me pleasure 10 be able Ia state, that the
measure is one in the true interest OF com
m.rca. public economy and reirenchment, and
has received, as believe the almost universal
Endorsement OF the people, without regard Ia
politics OF the State oi Oregon, aud oi Idaho
and Washington Territories, and the whole
North Pacific coast that are In be affected by
lis aioption Therefore, SO lar from this being
a case where n railroad company Is knocking
at the doors of Congress aud demanding ma
tiona aid. while the people who are 10 be- ut.
fected by the measure are indignant and re-.
monstrating against IL rs one calculated Ia
confer special powers aud privileges upon 4
corporation that would operate as i means Of
Acknowledgement IN the few and an instrument al
oppression Ia III. many, the very reverse - the
fact: and from Portland. Oregon In the erca.
basin of Salt Lake. on the lIue ot the Central
Pacific. all along the proposed route. the people
IN mdssc are holding meetings. aud demanding.
IN the name not only al their immediate com
n-rcial interests. but also in behalf 81 cc"no
my, r.tr.nchment. and cheap transportation,
the adoption of this measure.
The question presented is not the old one. so
much and So rightully. perhaps, criticised, and
objected IN. and denounced by the whole coun-
try. namely. that az indiscrimluate and eratn
itous aid upon the part OF the General Govern
ment in the construction Of lines oi raiiwaysin
which the company gets everything and the
Government nothiug-not by any means. IN"
proposition bears no kin or similarity. either TN
form or substance 20 any 1T the measures here
tofore adopted by companies IN aid of the con
struction OF railroads by the grant at public
lands, guarantee OF interest, bonds. &c. and
which have "a n rule invoked the opposition Ia
a very great extent of the people and OF the
two great political parties of the nation: but
on the contrary. this bill, If adopted, would not
only result in the construction OF n railroad and
telegraph line between the head Of ship navi.
CATION ut Portland, Oregon. the waters of the
Columbia, and the great transcontinental line
Of the Union and Central Pacific roads. thus
speedily removing the only remaining obstruc-
ton in that internal highway along which the
immense commerce OF China, and Japan, and
the islands Of the Pacific will eventually move.
but will result in an absolute saving to the Gov
eminent each year. by reason of the free car
rage, proposed by the bill. of the United States
mails and all property and supplies, to say
nothing Of the vast area of country to be
opened up to settlement, stretching. rs it does.
nearly half across our continent, and the gen
eral development Of the industries of our
common country These are questions sus-
ceptibe of actual demonstration.
/ have in these remarks referred to The say.
ing to the Government by the passage of this
bill in it's actual annual expenditures for the
public service. without any reference to other
matters
The Portland, Dalles and Salt Lake Rail.
road Company was organized nearly four
years ago under the general incorporation laws
Of the State of Oregon, for the purpose Of con.
structing a railroad and telegraph line from
Portland. Oregon, to the line Of the Union and
Central Pacific Railroads, at or near Salt Lake
in Utah Territory, with short branch from n
suitable point west of the Blue Mountains to