The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-09-27
North Pacific Railroad.
EDITOR INDEPENDENTS:

expiring, there is considerable effort
being used in directing attention to this
subject-and in circulating petitions in
behalf of a further extension of time to
said company Unless that is done by
the next Congress, it looks as if all hope
for the great Northwest will be lost
for a generation to come. Therefore,
whatever can be done, should be done
that we may the more speedily attain
the great end in view. But there are
schemes, and plans and propositions
proposed-and petitions signed by hun
dreds-not knowing, or caring to know,
the real object in view; if they only
ask for eastern Railroad communication.
At this juncture, it is apparent that our
only reliance, is to preserve and extend
the franchise of the North Pacific Co.
If that is lost, it seems, we might as
well give up. the ship for generation.
The memorial that has been very extern
sively circulated andnumerously signed,
asks for the extension of time to the
n. P. r. r. Co., upon conditions that
it must be seen, can not be accepted by
| the North Pacific, and are we'll calcu-
| lated to defeat the extension of time
now indispensable-and can result in
no good to this country. The real OBJ
ject of the memorial, is to require the
North Pacific 10 follow down the south
bank of the Columbia to Portland, know
ing the road could not cross the Column
bia below the Cascades, except at a cost
of at least four millions of money. Now
what is to be gained by THIS, except the
temporary interest of some property
owners in Portland, who believe that
Portland would be practically the ter
minus for some time, and they would
be enabled to speculate and make mon
ey out of itl The objections to the
road following down the south bank of
the Columbia, are so apparent and so
great, that any one can see them. Let
us mention some of them lst, the
crossing of the Columbia, which is nee
Fcessary in anyevent, can be made at va
rious points east of the Cascades, at q
trifing expense, and avoid the 81, 000,-
900 bridge west of the Cascades. Cd,
1t is known the difficulties of construc-
ton on the south side, are much great
er than on the north bank. Engineers
estimate the difference at over fifty per
cent in favor of the north side. Sd,
The distance is Is OF 20 miles greater
on the south, than on the north side.
These facts alone, are sufficient to de
eide on which side any railroad Co. ,
viii build the road. It will cost the Co.
| at least six millions more on the south
! side, than the north, beside losing one
half the land grant for a distance Of
one, TO two hundred miles; all Of which.
would be a poor investment on the part
of the Company, to accommodate a few
men in the town Of Portland. There
| is not single benefit OF advantage to
, the people of Oregon, out sideof Port
! land, to be derived from its construc-
ton on the south side-unless it might
save from the lunatic asylum, several
gentlemen who say, ''the North Pacific
shant be buih unless it comes to Port
land. in Oregon" The road is already
located on the north bank of the Col
umbia, and when completed, as it viii
be, If the extension is granted, the cit
liens of Portland can find no difficulte
In procuring passage for the east or
west with all their freight and traps.
This memorial also demands, as a con-
ditioR for the extension of the North
Pacific franchise, that there shall he
transfer of the land grant from the
Il IL