, 1878-02-08
MITCHELL On THE RAILROADS.

they could be given otherwise:
UNITED STATES SENATe CHAMBER, !
" A>tiINGTOS, jan. y. ISIS.
llon. William Reid. Secretary Board of
Trade Portland, Ogn.: Ny DEAR SIR
| hrr respectfully 10 acknowledge receipt
In due course ofyour communication OF the
18th utimO. enclosing among Others GER
titled copies OF preamble and resolution OF
the Portland Board of Trade relating 10
the extension of time for the completion
If the Northern Pacific Railroad, and TO
the general subject oi railroad legislation
affecting Oregon Interests now pending in
Congress.
Tie preamble and resolution are in
these words:
Resolution from Roarl OF Trade Of
Portland. Oregon. recommending passage
Ot Northern Pacific Railroad extension of
time. land grant free from embarrassing
restrictions:
WHEREAS. A bill has been introduced
hy senator Mitchell 10 extend the time for
the comuletiOu OF the y Drthtrn P.Iciic
Railroad; and
WHEREAS, said bill contains provision
for grant of land in aid OF the conStruc-
nun of the Portland. pales and salt Lake
and south Pass Railroad. together with
other provisions and restrictions which tie
Northern Pacific Railroad Company re-
gard aS ilta To the negotiation of bonds
or the completion OF their road; there
fore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trade
recommend that Congress grant the eX-
tension of time asked by said Northern
Pacific Railroad Company Eithont such
embarrassing restrictions As in their juig
mcnt will tend to prevent negotiating
their securities; providing always that
the said road he constructed Oh the south
sid. of the Columbia TO Portland as en-
braced in resolution OF this board Sept.
%, 1877. Signed, IL. W. CORBETT,
President.
ATTEST WILLIAM REID, Secretary"
In auknow edSing the receipt OF this
communication. | beg respectfully to
state that while have received many sug-
gestionS from time to time from the Port
Glud Board of Trade since its organiza-
ton that have been valuable aids to me in
my efforts to promote by proper leglSll-
tiou the general welfare OF our state, |
must confess that | am astounded at the
action aud recommendations OF the board
this particular instance. And this sur
prise would, can assure you, be still
greater were it not for the fact that | am
ADVISED that this resolution was adopted
at meeting oi the board when less than
One-tourth Of all the membership OF that
loard were pre' ent. and OF which the
abSeEtecS had 10 special notice.
The reason of my surprise will briefly
state: This preamble rectes the fact that
have introduced bill to extend the time
Tor the completion of the Northern Pacific
Railroads: and also the fiither statement
which, by the way. Is not an accurate re-
cord of the fAct.) Whereas sald bill con-
tains provision tor q grant of land in aid
N the construction of the Portland, Dalles
and Salt Lake and South Pass Railroad
together with other provisions and restric-
tiSns which the Northern Pacific Railroad
COMPANY regard rs fatal to tile negotia-
tion of bonds for the completion OF their
road" The actual facts is, my bill sur
renders 10 settlement the 5,00O.OOO acres
OF land originally granted to the North
cru Pacific Railroad Company for q
branch road from Pend d'OrelIle Lake 20
Puget sound and grants the proceed o.
sale ol an equal number OF acres IN aiu OF
branch road from Umatilla to salt Lake
And then, after these recitals, tie Boarl
uf Trade resolves To recommend, and doeS
e. recommend that Congress grant the ex-
tension oC time asked by said Northern
Pacific Company without Snch embarras-
.iny restrictions ~ IN their Judgment that
/. h, the Judgment Of tie Northern Pacific
Railr,ad Company will tend 70 prevent
negotiating their securities WIN th?
.ingle pr0Yiso that the rOad tH eonstrtlc1ed
nn tlr south side of the Columbia river 70
Ponla =,
Thls. tlcn. l. what the Portland Boari
nl Tratir. or az least that very small ma
uority oi 4 that T,Asa,d this preamble and
aud resolution wSud have Congress no.
namely, grant the extension oi Time a'Aen
for h, ti,e Norlheru Pacific Railroad Com
t.ai,y uitl,aut any cf the conditions or pro
is,fiptls psuytiesi far aud guAfantrc'l6y my
l,,II. ave iipr solitary uur Ot coming nn tlir
.stith .alp ur sle Columbia river; hot onIy
Nitl1f, any rr-lNu-tnent of tiie grant.
so A. "a ad in the buihiug Ol the brsnoh
o. salt Lake. bui absolutely without anI
provision whatever A. tD u'mmrnr-uirnt
~ pr,,-s,trtipu at the wurk on the Pacihc
.Iots. either nj Port AudUr ou tiie Colum.
ha river iur the ueTt eight oT tea year
aud v uitllOut ans prONi..Ot wlalcyer AZ io
ti,r pruse1iou VI astticrs within the HINTS
Uf tlW grant.
nark thu rrcamnen,lationoi your board.
Itis. relrAt. that tJugrtss grant thr
.nts,tsinu a.Assl hy said NurBem faciiH
Railroad Company Not ohy mus
Congress do wliat ghis defnlttg sna Ar.
fs,gsut corporation "a.As W lANe uone'
hut every Cpu,liIiou nr silpulAtltn ~ 4il}
biII i,rkIpg to lies Intrrrsts ol OUgUu aiIl
b.r t.o,,.,, ahlsh !. not in ao'orihcr with
the mismrut of this sane eorlEEAiloii,
u,u.i Al one frli swoop, at tlIe insiVice oi
rl,r Portland Boarl NJ Trade, be b} Con
gress stricken irom tlr bill.
wIat kiud Ot au extension OF upe ) u
lh.l tbs Northern Pacific Railroad Cou'