Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1879-04-18
More Of Railroad.


section Of country awaken as much in
terest as any other subject that can be
named at the present time, and this
fact is sufficient explanation of our
reason for discussion Of the question
further at the present time. Our posi-
ton in relation to the Importance to the
Northern Pacific Company of the
Snake add Clearwater route. as com
pared with the Pen d'Orille route we
think to be impregnable. The people
Of the whole Northern Pacific coast
have as much interest 10 the proper
selection of the route for two reasons:
LIST, that route should be selected tho,
will furnish the shortest and most
speedy transit across the continent from
ocean to ocean; and, I'd, that route
ehould be selected where the best ad
vantages can be had 10 securing at the
earliest possible period through Nor.
thern line as competing line with the
Union and Central Pacific, as well az a
line that when open viii traverse a
country the best adapted to dense set.
Elements. Both Of these advantages
will BE- found in the outlined Stake and
Clearwater route, and no logic based
upon the facts connected with the two
routes can disprove our position. The
next question Of importance to be con-
sidcred after determining the through
route i the question Of proper branches
or feeders Of this main line. We have
before said that tho whole Palouse
country il more easy of access to the
Snake river than to the line surveyed
via Pen d'Orile, and the construction
Of the main line over either of these
routes will surely cause the construc
ton Of tributary road to tap the
heart Of the Palouse settlements, and
the settlements as far north as the Spo
kane river. Beyond that no road viii
DO required for decade Of years
Again, the Potlatch and Genesee coun
try win soon require shott branch
road to take away its surplus products
The country south Of the Clearwater
including Camas prairie, and much .
the best portion Of the Nez Perez reser
walton when thrown open to settlement
will soon require q branch road tn
Grand Ronde and Wallowa valleys ca
readily furnish the inducements for
" branch to line of road via the Clear
water, and would contribute largely I
Il the business of the main line. Colum
bia county, w. T., has already tho il
ducemcnts for q branch road tappin
the center Of is great wheat CROWN
acreage. Walla Walla county has q
ready tributary constructed whic
would soon be extended to the easter
portion Of the county. All these branc
roads would soon be projected an
built after the opening Of tho tran
continental route, and when open
they would drain the richest and mo
reliable wheat lands that can be fnuu
on the Pacific slope whose area W
equal 80, 900 square miles, nearly /
Of which possesses healthy aud i
MIGRATING climate, and suited III eve
respect for the abode Of thrifty farme
and men Of every industrial pursu
The Pen d'Orille route can offer no sa
inducement. We nave in person ira
eled over greater portion Of the cou
Try and know Of what We spes
Again, We are ted that if the route
the Pen d'Oreille lake does not offer
great Inducements to agricultural i
tiers. il offsrs great Inducements
timber and lumbermen. We adj
that along the route are some very '
uablo timber lands, but we assert wi
out fear Of contradiction that the Il
bsr Of that route does not equal eitl
il quantity or quality tho timber fou
on the Clearwater route this side OF
Bitter Root divide, nor are the fac
ties Of bringing It to contribute to
business OF rail road as great as als
and tributary to the Clearwater rou
AL these Ne regard ~ cogent reas
why the Northern Pacific C,mpa
should tsst fully the middle fork Of
Clearwater pass for its prsc!icability
pass for railroad before they atteu
to const uct their road in the direct
Of the Pen d'Orille. and when O
thoroughly tested there will be no n