The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-01-29
Pacific Road.

That competing line of railway
across the continent to the Pacific ought
to be constructed, no intelligent man
can doubt. Men may differ about the
expediency Of entering upon the enter.
prise at present, as well as in relation
to the manner and amount of govern
ment aid that should be bestowed, II
any, and all that. But upon the main
question Of the desirability of such an
avenue to the Pacific, men can not hold
different opinions.
The one single line now connecting
the tidewaters of the two oceans,
however useful it may be to the interests
OF the country, is nevertheless one of the
greatest monopolies that the world ever
knew. While granting that it is indis-
pensable as connecting highway across
the continent, it becomes obvious that
its indispensability is the prime cause of
Its becoming a monster monopoly. If It's
utility were not so great, its power could
not have become so immense. 1t is, in.
deed, absurd to suppose that the people
of this country are not going to need and
demand another line Of railway to the
Pacific. The only questions are as TO
the time, the place, and the means.
j.. The presentation of these questions
before the House Committee on Pacific
Railroads has been made with great
ability and with much minuteness Of de-
tail, by the parties representing the
Southern route. Whatever may come
to pass in the. future concerning the re-
vival of the Jay Cooke Northern route,
1t is certain that that scheme is for the
present dead. But the demand for the
construction Of railway line upon the
Southern route is daily growing; and
public attention is more and more favor
ably turned in that dir ection.
We do not undertake to say that the
method proposed for the construction o.
that line is either discreet or practica.
BILE, at the present time. Yet it Is Ger.
tain that the public interest already
manifested upon the subject, will ulti
mately, if not now, incline public senti
ment to the adoption Of some practica
Bile plan to secure competing line tt
the Pacific on Southern route.
That outcry and clamor exist agains
any government endowment Of lands OF
other public aid to this enterprise, il
quite natural, and perhaps altogether
proper; because it behooves the peopl
to put just and needful restrain
upon Congress In the mat
ter OF granting such ali
on the part Of the Government. But /
is certainly remarkable that all thi
clamor proceeds from the Northwest
the focus of which is at Chicago. Tha
outcry and clamor should arise fron
that quarter can surprise nobody. Deme
trius the Silyersmith raised just sue
O cry when he saw danger to his gain
from the spread Of Christianity. Bein
the recipients of the gains proceedin
from the possession of the single monol
olizing line across the Continent. whs
more natural than that those intereste
in Chicago and the Northwest should d.
nounce. the idea of giving governmer
aid for the construction of competin
line. To be sure, their road was bui
for them bv Government aid, and the
gifts Of land amounting to principalitit
were superadded; and then the ros
turned upon its benefactor, and cbeate
the Government out of the interest
it's loan Of bonds; and now, forsooth,
other line shall be allowed 10 have |
acre or a dollar.
We can not presume that this kind
opposition is going to carry much weis
before any Congress. 1t may serve q
purpose for the time, being, because +
public mind is still sore from the chafil
caused by the conduct Of the prese
Pacific road. But the people will not
llow to see that opposition from tn