The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1875-01-02

The NV York papers contain a
statement of tine facts and arguments
on which the proposed lrgjs alton t.
secure tie early completion Of the
Northern Pacific Railroad is asked
1t Is much too long for our columns,
and for a public 50 familiar as ours
with the guncnt, it will be suffi-
cicnt 10 prrsenr brief abstract en-
braciug The salient points.
Referring to the large land grant
given by Congress in all ofthe road
the document says this legi iSIatlon
vas based on the fact that such a
national highway is needed by The
country:
l. AS military road. 3 As a
post route. . 3. As a means Of tacil-
itatiug the transportation OF Indian
supplies. f. As means OF secur-
ing - our own people a great future
commerce, which is now in danger
OF falling into the hands Of a rival
nation, by the construction Of the
Canadian Pacific, on a route 500
miles north OF the Northern Pacific.
;. As the only humane, prompt, eco
nomical and permanent settlement
Of the Indian question. g. As a
means Of enabling the government.
TO safely reduce the regular army,
and thereby reduce taxation. The
number of troops employed, during
the past ten years, IN the belt of
country along the Northern Pacific
railroad has ranged from $500 to
1000. The permanent release from
duty Of even three or fourregiments,
which would result from the com
petion of this road would annually
save the government and the ma
ton 5 tax payers III amount equal
to the annual interest on tie cost Of
the entire line. These statements
are supported bv the official reports
o. the t. ). Commissioner ofIndian
Affairs, Quarter Master General
Meigs, whose views on the impor-
tancr Of the road as measure Of
national security and defence are
endorsed by General Grant, by Gen.
Custer and other high military and
civil authorities.
The Northern Pacific railroad
is necessary to prevent a serious
and imminent increase of the Indi-
an q difficulty in the northwest. Not
only would a failure to build it in
definitely proIong the present chron-
L. Indian warfare ard consequent
expenditures, but would 90 far to
render il more bitter, costly ana
disastrous. The building of the
Canadian Pacific will drive the
game from the country southwark
mo American territory. I he IN
dIanS Of British America following
the game viii cougregate on the
unprotected rnuricrs OF Dakota.
Montana and Washington, render
ing necessary either Am abandon
ment ot the country by the whites
OF great increase Of military forts
and troops.
). The Northern Pacific Rail
road is required for the develop
meHt aud settlement of the belt OF
productive agricultural country.
rich with forests, and mines OF pre-
eIous metals, through which 1t pas
seS.
9 Finally it is needed rs thor
oa9hiare TOR the travel and trade Of
tie large population along is line.
The people OF Montana, for exam.
Pic, who have IN ten years added
Sloo,ooo,oo0 Of gold and silver to
tae wealth Of the world, travel 500
mlies by stage coach in getting
nom the nearest railroad to their
homes, and haul their merchandise
and ship their richest ores with OK.
teams like distance, while the de-
Ne.olment of niue-teutGs of their SiI-
Yer mines ana the utilization of
Their bound.e>S narura, pasiurage
are simply prohibited by the utter
1agS - ral traUsp rJatiou.
y quote some additional re
ma.ke>:
me building q the Northern Pacific rail
.o+a i not iH any ordinary sense Of the
...'a Z private enterprise il is a needed
government wogk, authorized 10 oe done by
corporation As an Instrument in when