Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1878-11-29
The Northern Pacific Railroad.

The time has already come when the
people between the Cascades and Bitter
Root mountains greatly need cheap
oatlet to the sea. They also need u
more cheap communication with the
states east Of the Rocky mountains.
The time has been long since Congress
in its munifcencc granted the right Of
way, and liberal dt.cation Of lands to
aid in the construction of a railroad
from lake Superior to the Pacific, to
company that then promised to construct
such road within given period of
time. Had that company complied with
the provisions Of the act granting this
aid, the road would have been built and
in operation the present season, and our
section of country would to-day have
been enjoying degree of prosperity
and hope far beyond its present status.
But that company failed to construct
but small portion of the road and
went into insolvency. But upon its
ruins another company has been for
med claiming the franchise granted to
the cid company and promising to do
better, yet asking an extension of time
in which to complete the road. That is
the question now before Congress, ''shall
further time be granted, and upon what
condition? p It is a question that en-
tered largely into tho late election Of
delegation Washington Territory. The
verdict of that people is that time should
be extended, but upon restricted condi-
tons from those imposed in the original
act. These are principally that there
shall be guaranty that certain important
portions of the road shall be construct
cd within a brief space Of time, and a
longer time granted to construct across
tho rockies, and further that the lands
ETautCu hHiil De sOiu az " HhuAiHu.u
price OF 81 so per acre to settlers. We
learn that the company object to Che re-
striction upon the price Of lands, for
the reason that they cannot raise money
on a mortgage Of these lands with which
to construct the road, and hence they
cannot build. If this be so then On ex-
tension upon those terms would result
in nothing towards the construction OF
the road But let us criticise this OBJ
lection. How much will it cost per
mile to construct and equip the road
We think it will DO conceded that fer
more than two thirds tho distance, this
can be done at cost Of S25 900 per
mile, if not less. In some places it may
cost from $4,000 to $4,000 per mile
But the entire length that will cost this
sum is comparatively short. Now what
is the amount granted by the govern
ment, provided that the land is sold al
the maximum of 50 so per acre. In
the territories of Montana, Idaho and
Washington, through which most of the
unfinished road is to be built the grant
provides for the company 20 square
miles of land on each side of the roaC
within limit of 40 miles on each sid,
or 40 square miles for every mile o
road built. This 40 miles gives IS COZ
acres of land, which at 50 so per acr'
gives S64, 600 for every mile of roat
built. 1t may be supposed that mucl
Of this land cannot readibly be sold a
that price. But between the Cascade
and the Bitter Root range, nearly oil o
this land can readily be sold at tina
price, soon after it is fully known tia
the road will be speedily built, and with
in one year after the completion of til
road across the continent it will be di
ficult to find one mile Of this land fit 70
cultivation that will not have been ah
sorbed by settlers at that maximum
price. Hence it Is reasonable to sup
pose that that company, or the partic
who furnish them the money will rea
ize sufficient means TO construct the roa
from the sale Of tho lands at 50 so pc
acre. Again, it IS evident that tn
lands viii be more speedily settled
sold at that price, than if sold of higl
er and uncertain price, and Ne speed
settlement Of the lands will givN a MOI
early guaranty for the paying Nesiuo
of the road when built. n
not at all unlikely that the \.
managers opposed the admission
vi y