Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1876-02-03
Communicated
RAILROADS FOR MONTANA.
SECOND ARTICLE.

How are the people OF Montana TO DE as
surcd that a narrow gauge railroad, branch
ing from the Union Pacific at Ogden or the
Central Pacific at COrnne, will be brought to
the central parts Of Montana sooner than the
Northern Pacific can be brought to the same
points The teaming distance between Mon
lana and the railroad, by the construction Of
eighty miles of narrow gauge road, has not
been lcssened more than thirty miles, and
taking into view the change of gauge now
compelled at Ogden, and the transfer of all
merchandise and goods from one set of cars
to another Set of cars, we have gained moth
ing 50 far; and the way the extension from
Franklin is pointing, it looks as if some time
must elapsc ere the narrow gauge can reach
place where there will be any gain to Mon
tana business by running to it.
Montana has waited for some years for rail
roads to come to her, although she is not
very old, for her growth has been rapid. Her
business citizens, who constitute about all,
desire a railroad, believing that any kind of
railroad is better than none. There are, it
appears, capitalists connected with the North
crn Pacific enterprise who, Notwithstanding
its adverse fortunes, have not lost faith in its
future, and who are willing to make an ef-
fort to resuscitate it and start it westward,
and they ask something Of Montana. Two
things they nced-the moral support Of this
Territory, and such material aid as the peo-
pie of Montana may hayeit in their power to
extend. They have frankly stated what they
believe they can do with the aid of Montana
within two years, and what they believe can
be done in three years. 1t must be clear to
any common sense view, that the company
do not expect to stopat any point on the Vel
lowstone, or anywhere short of point that
will accommodate the general business of
the Territory; and the real question is, Can
they come there in a reasonable time with
the aid of the credit asked for? If they get
there, then the business of the Territory over
the railroad secures the people against liabil-
ity on the interest or principal Of the bonds,
if the company act in good faith. If it is
practicable to SO arrange the agrcemer: be-
tween the railroad company and the people
Of Montana as to guard against serious risk
in the premises, it would seem to be worthy
of the most careful consideration by the Leg
islature and the citizens generally. The
company oblgate themselves to do the grad
ing, ETC., and iron the road complete, to the
Montana line, or to the mouth of Glendiye
creek, as the case may be; and with the pro-
cceds of the bonds Of Montana, from money
raised IN the East, to grade, bridge and tie
two hundred or more miles, and with their
own money to iron the same, and stock and
operate the whole. Unless the railroad CON-
pany show themselves able to do their part,
and do so on TO Go their part, no bonds Of the
Territory should ever be issued; and only as
the work progresses, and practically in pay
ment for work actually done, and done in the
Territory Of Montana. None Of the money |
derived from Montana credit is to be expen- !
ded in any other Territory, or for any other
purpose than The grading, etc, of the rail
road in Montana.
The proposed arrangement does not call |
upon any citizen of Montana to raise dol
lar OF money, yet the whole two millions is
to be expended in Montana. 1t is to be pre-
samed that citizens of Montana will take an
ac'iVe part in the contracts, in furnishing
cross-lles materials and provisions; especi-
ally along the Yellowstone valley. The
money comes from the East and will he dis
bufsed in Montana, and it must, as matter
OF course, aid in the settlement and deyelop-
ment of the Territory. The expenditure of
large amount of money in the manner pro-
posed cannot but prove advantageous during
the progress of the work 1t will be of in
tefest TO those who may want work, and to