Los Angeles daily herald., 1876-03-12

Besides, they have too high an appre-
citation of the genius and energy of the
Western coast population, and too
much natural sense of fair play, to de-
sire to see the California company
handicapped in this race of railway
| construction by the unnecessary favor
of the General Government. And in
dividually and unitedly as well with
the exception of an interested few, we
say to you now, as eretofore, that we
cannot and will not consent that one
single dollar of the peoples money
shall be either appropriated or involv-
ed in this enterprise. With the expe-
riences of the past with which the
people of California are but too famil-
lar, we have little confidence that
where the faith of the Government is
once pledged to aid in the construc-
tion of railroads it can ever again con-
troll the use of its bounty in such q
manner as to fully protect the inter-
ests of the whole people. Yea, more,
our observation has taught us that
not only do such beneficiaries of the
nation exact the full measure of the
compact without in many instances
showing nice regard for its obligations
themselves, but they too often seek to
increase their benefits by constant inn
portunity and ceaseless demands upon
| the patience and generosity of the peo-
pie. Right in this bill we have IN in
| stance of this greed which should not
escape your attention. AS | under
stand the terms of the bill under con-
sideration it provides for the consoli-
| dation of the Atlantic and Pacific and
Texas and Pacific roads at the 103d me-
ridlan of longitude, and from that
point West the two are to be merged
| in one line. abandoning the Atlantic
| and Pacific. BY this consolidation the
counties of Ventura, Santa Barbara,
| San Luis Obispo and Monterey would
be deprived of advantages of most vital
| Importance to them - advantages
which were contemplated by the Gov
ernment when it issued the charter
and which it would work great injury
| to these counties to withdraw at this
| time.
Gentlemen have been pleased to tell
you that giant corporations have been
built up by means of Government aid,
that they have grown rich, and waxed
great and insolent upon the bounty of
the people. 1t may be true, but L
would ask, is not that's greater reason
why we should avoid building up 9TH
ers? If we have made one mistake in
framing our contract too literally for
that inestimable boon-the first Pacific
railroad, experiment as it was-should
we not strenuously avoid repetition
of the error? 1t seems to me that it is
our plain duty to hold all existing cor
| tn ri NJ 70
and if they have fattened on the public
by reason of the liberality and errors
of our predecessors, let us repair the
evil as far as we can-let us create no
more.
But, Mr.. Chairman, there is another
consideration. Many of our people,
and l confess L am of the number, en-
tertan the opinion that the interests
of the Pacific coast would be best con-
served by favoring the principle that
so much of all roads west of the Rocky
Mountains as shall have their termin-
us upon the Pacific coast should be
within the management of those
identified with that section. Practical
illustration is the best proof of fact,
and will therefore state briefly one
reason that has led the people of Cali
fornIa to this conclusion. We observ-
ed, sir, the great contest in 1869 be-
tween the Central and Union Pacific
railway companies-that great con-
test of engineering skill which decid-
ed the Eastern and Western termin-
us of those respective roads. Each
twenty miles that the energy and
spirit of the California gentlemen
who had the work in charge enabled
them to drive the Central Pacific road
Eastward was q tribute to the enter
prise ofour people and a nadditional
guarantee of our prosperity in
the future. BY their indomit-
able zeal and terrible earnest
ness obstacles were overcome which
seemed to defy the very possibilities
of science Through snowbound hills,
over rocky cai1ons, around peaks and
declivltics appalling in their height,
and across defiles' which hearts as
stout as theirs had declared impass-
able, these bold pioneers pushed this
iron pathway of the worlds commerce.
Histosy records no greater monument
of engineering skill than that leading
of the iron horse across the icy con-
fines Of the great Sierras.
In the dead of winter, through the
wi Id blast Of snow and storm which
howls across that desolate scene, these
men pushed their labor, never falter-
ing, never qualing at their task.
From out these difficulties they sprang
eagerly to the work of extension, and
through the arid waste beyond spur
red onward with that indescribable
power that is only born of new coun-
try's greatness and energy.
/ say, sir, we watched theirprogress
with all the pride and admiration of a
people who gloried in their task. We
saw what results were being accom-
plished, and what benefits our section
was to reap from their enterprise.
And, sir, we have not been disappon-
ted. By the energy of the Central
Pacific builders their road was COM
pleted to a point within whose limits
every accruing benefit was reached by
our people and our section. They
pushed their road to Reno, and gave
to California control of the vast treas
ures of the State of Nevada. They
went still further to Elko, and secured
the same benefit from the great region
with it's mineral wealth beyond. They
reached Ogden, and secured the trade
of the fertile and populous Territory OF
Utah, and gave to all that interior val
lev q choice of Eastern or Western
markets, but far above them all they
have contributed to the wealth and
growth of the Queen City of the Pa
cific. BY their vigor they have un-
locked treasures which have poured in
a continuous stream into her lap, en-
riching her people, increasing hel
population, and beautifying her ex'
istence. The proud position San Fran