The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1879-03-28

Atn,ar ainroh e1 ls-.

i Ahi @AA-atHHfAp t'tf4R INV RNAbAN hiAt PNO
pie Of Albany is the railroad question, and n
I believe the only way to secure unity Of ac
tion is TO have the question publicly debated
would ike little space in your valuable
columns in which to ''opcn the ball.
We have one railroad now, and ita valu,
to us cannot be computed. aud this vory fact
should make US the more earnest in our en-,
doavors to secure all others that can possibly
bo induced to come here. Several new lines
will be built, and the old onos extendod
within tho next five years, aud II ou- citizens
are alive to their own interests. Albany will
get her share.
For several years NO have heard va.
apina Bay advocated as tho natural a-port
for the great Withdrawing counties of the
Willamette Valley, aud at tho Same time tho
interests Of the Marrow Gauge Railroad frem
Corvallis to Newport were always pushed, M
it was to connect the valley with tho Coast,
OF course this narrow gauge would not
amount to anything unless it connected with
the railroad running through this valley. and
as Albany seemed to bo the best point for the
junction, our folSs felt almost suro of getting
it. Hut this is sll past; an event has hap.
pened which explodes this idea. Civil En.
gineor Habersham went over to Haquna BAY
for the pnrpoSo of surveying tho Bay south
of Cape Foulweather. as il was thought that
vas good place for tho location OF the pro.
posed harbor OF refuge which is 10 be made
somewhere on the northwest coast, and
while there also surveyed tho Bay lying
north Of Foulweather. According to his ro.
poat this last mentioned bay can, by an out.
lay of about $500. 900. be made .ho best har.
Dor on the racihc Coast north Of Acapulco,
AS this amoun. is great deal less than will
be required at any other point, u is almost
sure that goyernmcnt viii lnake It the har.
Dor OF Eefuge. As tho last session of Con.
gress $4,000 was appropriated For the ereo.
tion of breakwatcr at some point on this
coast, and as soon as the location is selected
We can expect more. nview OF these facts.
and the probability that, ,Fonlweathor Gay
may DO chosen a. the harbor Of refuge. the
Yaquina Rsilroad has been changed from a
narrow gauge TO the standard size, and the
iron aad locomotives have already boon or.
derca from the cast Instead OF this road
being extended TO Albany it will stop as Cor
wallis, - the Gcrmsn ownora OF the Oregon
Central have made arrangements TO extend
their line from S. Joe TO Corvallis As that
will make tho connection between the Bay
and Portland, it would be \ needless expense
TO run the Hsquina Bay road on to Albany
from Corvallis. 1t is fact patent 70 every
body that the Haquina Bay Rad will never
pay any very large dividends unless Foai.
weather Bay proves to be what Mr.. Haber-
sham says il is-one OF the bsa. natural sea
ports on ths coast and IN that event tho
Willamette Valley wheat will be shipped
from that point. Now Albany is the great
wheat center Of the Valley. and how is ahe to
ship her grain to the coast: II is = settled
fact that way vii! be provided. but which
is the rsosef-ssibls. IL seems to ia that the
project OF making this place the junction o;
tho east and we# aide roads wOald he the
best plan for the company to9Gdop.. .ior the
following reasons:
First, il would be by iar the cheapest.
which Is the creates. poiat IN lis iayUr. a
wagon bridge = needed reEy Lady .: this
point, and instead Of buildihs il alone oas
could be made for both 4 railroad anl Tor
vehicles, and ;bs county would very likely
give valuable all towards It's erection. aud
also private individuals on both sides Of the
river would subscribe libesally. This would
make tae junction between the two roads =.
a very slight coat to tho company. and secure
70 them the transportation Of our grain,
which otherwise would tor a. least largo
portion Off would) be taken to Portland by
the Pengra Narrow Gauge.
Second, there is no utility in running the
west side road south Of Corvallis. By going
that far it obtalns control OF the Yaquiua
Bay country, aud there is no uac in pushing
on farther aud iact,rring tie expense Of Suild.
ing another 30 miles Of road aad large
bridge. Il would g.. no more carrying. for
the country i. woald ran through il already
tributary 70 Junction, Harrisburg and Cor
Third, il the junction shoull be made at
Albany, tile railroad machine shopa could be
located here, which would be great - ils
OF money to the company, as We haze the
.bes. water power in the State, and the fir,
pine and cedar timber brought down the
Santiam aud Calapooia to this place cannot
be excelled any where.
8 For these and many other reasons We are
zoi the opinion that the railroad company
would save thousands of dollars by making a
jsnetion Of their two roads at Albany, and
as for the benefits which would accrue to
the city, 5hey are innumerablc. Is would
completely insure her future. What would
then become Of theproposed narrow gauge
which nov threatens TO run down along the
foothills, thus drawing an immcnse amour;
OF trade away frsm the o. d c. L. T. and
this city: 1t could not afford to pass Al.
bany We could offer such inducements a.
would lie care to secure the northern termi.
nus
These thoughts wish 70 present TO the
public, and hope others will also come for.
ward andtlpalso their opinions public. BY
30 doing we will the sooner be able to adopt
some plan Of action, and work for the benefit
of our city @ith-some degree of assurance
that we viii succeed.
ALBASY.
Fire al Independence.
T.. "A -, = - =