The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-04-21
THE ErNNTMUCoA RAILROAD.

the lODg-talked-Ot WlnDemucca Kali
road, is published in the OregOnidn of
the 18th inst. We would gladly republih
the sam eentire; butas its length prohib-
its this, we will furnish extracts as far as
our space will permit, feeling sure that
the Importance of the enterprise will
commend the same to the careful pc
rusal of our readers.
A letter written in February by the
Board of Trade to the representative of
the G. P. r. r. Co. calls attention to the
fact that the gentlemen comprising the
Board have, for some time past, given
earnest attention to the railroad affairs
of Oregon, with a view of speedily Sc
curing to its people Eastern railway
connection, and to carry out their plans,
have appointed a permanent railroad
committee, with special instructions to
correspond and negotiate with the COM
pany named. AS a result of these ne
gotiations, this company placed corps
of engineers and surveyors in the field
last fall, with a view of ascertaining the
shortest and most practicable route
from Winnemucca to Oregon. These
explorations were cut short by the Sc
verify of the winter; but the results, as
far as ascertained, are narrated, the diff
ficulties set forth, and the opinion ex-
pressed that the income from the road
would for long time be insufficient to
meet expenses and interest on the cost
of construction. That such being the
case, this company, before proceeding 10
build the road, must be guaranteed
from loss by the people of the State.
Propositions were forwarded, (which
have not, however, as yet come to
hand), and if these are accepted by the
State, the company will begin the i'm
mediate construction of the road. The
following is the conclusion of Mr.. Hunt
ington's letter:
"I understand and appreciate the anxiety of
the Board of Trade in this matter, and to learn
our views upon it, and notice what is said as
to the propriety of some expression of our
views at early day, in order to give your
people opportunity to act intelligently
thereon at the new election. Our interests in
this road are only second to your own. We,on
our part, shall lose no time in satisfying our
selves of the degree of difficulty TO be en-
eountered in its construction. We cannot, of
course, embark in so vast an undertaking
without first eanvassing it thoroughly, neither
in justice TO ourselves nor to those who may
assist US. If there are other responsible parties
x-of nd oh To OIL 10
neetion without troubling US, we are willing to
stand aside and give them the opportunity.
Assuming the whole length of the line to be
500 miles, it must cost over this broken coun-
try for construction, equipment, and perma-
nent buildings, a vast sum of money, all of
which must be raised outside, but the greater
part Of which must be expended inside of Ore
gOn. Among the other indirect benefits TO fol-
low, may mention the completion of the un-
finished roads in Western Oregon and Wash
ingtoR Territory. The completion of this State
line will also tend to the extension of the road
southwards to the Rogue River Valley, and thus
provide through road to the East without
crossing the Siskiyou range. In time I expect
TO see the line in the Sacramento Valley ex-
tended to and up the klamath to an intersec-
ton with this Winnemucca line, and thus pro-
vide an efficient connection with California,
also with but single mountain crossing. 1t is
probable also that branch lines will be con-
structed across the level country east of the
mountains to the settlements on the Columbia
at or above The Dalles, and so provide to East
ern Oregon cheap and ever-open route to the
East without crossing the Cascades. That
very considerable expansion of the branches
of industry on the banks of the Lower COlum.
bia and tributaries, and also on the shores Of
Puget Sound, must follow, is not doubtful Ia
particular, your coal-mining interests will be
benefited by the demand for fuel for the ma
chinery of Nevada, and a new market will be
furnished for the grains, meats, and fruits of
your State also. The volume of through traffic
which will pass transversely across Oregon, and
thence TO Washington Territory and British
Columbia, will ultimately be of the utmost i'm
portance to your merchants and laborers.
"With desire TO meet your views as
promptly and as far as the necessities of the
case admit, will say that if my associates and
myself, upon farther investigation, conclude
to become engaged in it, 1t will be necessary to
have some changes made in the legislation to
that end, which deem indispensable to our
success. hand you herewith, memorandum
Of the principle provisions of such a bill as it
would be proper to lay before your legislature
for its sanction and approval.
{ y
"If this shall prove satisfactory to your Board
you can appeal to your business men conf,
IDENTIFY, and shape your legislation accordingly.
Perhaps should add that this preliminary
proposition would not be put forword if we
supposed it was invited merely to call out COM
petitors, who may offer other and more plausi-
! bic terms for your consideration. We can en-
ter into no rivalry for the privilege of such an
! onerous work as this must be If carried ont in
good faith. There are doubtless many parties
ready TO undertake TO build roads anywhere
with State aid, but who have nothing to lose
and all TO make by their connection with them.
The conditions named are reasonable and
within the ability of your people, and if ac-
.ceptod, would be assumed on our part in good
faith, and with determination TO carry for
ward the work with all the resources at our
command, and as rapidly as is CONSTANT with
proper economy"
Mr.. B. ]. Pengra, to whom and his as
sociates, called the "Oregon Central
Pacific Railroad Company" the Legisla-
ture of the State has donated the right
of way and transference to the bond
holders of the Winnemucca railroad all
taxes of whatever nature collected
within the next 20 years, are willing to
assign to whOmever will build the road
the legal rights thus conferred upon
them. The following paragraph from a
private letter of Mr. Huntington to Mr..