Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1879-01-03
The Northern Pacific Railroad.
[Tren the Chieago Tritune. ]

Tie Texas Pacific lobby 10 i;s recen;
gathering in this city, in its resolution
to ask aid from Congress. conned the
Northern Pacific with the Texas
eratuitons performance. for the North
orn Pacific put III no appearance to ask
for any such action. The lobby evi
dently Thought that II by that they
coated over their pill with something
that really hid sweetness, the public
and Congress would swallow it. But
the two enterprises are totally unlike.
The Texas Pacific has a vast land
grant, and row it asks for money;
while the Northern Pacific only ask
for brief extension of fine, aud not u
dollar Of money or bonds.
Dsmissing the Toxas Pacific, let us
examine the position of the Northern
Pacific. which has in operation $50
miles between Duluth, on Lake Su
parior, and ST. Paul, on the Mississippi
aud Bismarck, on the Missouri in the
heart Of Dakota, and los miles between
tho Columbia river aud pocoG Sound.
ZIP 10 1873 the company wa8 not in
iault, but the failure Of jay Cock d
forced II into bankruptcy. 1t ha5 l..
snad S2A1l9 COO in haods; it had .
faat;og debt Of uhout So 900 .00o. In
the hrecosure, made ia 1875 the COZ
pon' ware capitalized, up to the present
time, in preferred stock anal VI ons
and bonds alike made oxchanyeable for
land During the present year about
100000 acres. at an average volue of
$3.50 per acre have been taken by tie
holders Of the stock
| From the outset the company HAS
dealt fairly aud squareiy with is credit
ors and stockholders and since the fore
closure the road has been managed with
such economy and the development Of
business has been SO reraii. that t c
net earnings last year amounted 10
S5S2 600, and the company not OWING
a dollar, has resolved to 20 on with the
construction. and has advertised sor
proposals for tho building Of the sec
ton between the Missouri aud the vel.
| lowsto2e next year.
st thc last session of Congress the
company asked simply for an extension
of time 70 complete the construction
and two bills we're reported-ona in TIE
Senate aud enc in the House. The
House committee then reported:
Thirteen years ago grant Of land
was made by Congress for the construc
ton Of the road. Its route lies for
much of the way through fertile
country. rich IN ali the physical eharac-
teristies necessary for the support of q
vast and prosperous population. It's
grades are easier than most of the Eas.
ern States, settlers have pracedel it in
faith of its construction, and prosperous
territories all alnngits route are waiting
fer additional population which lis com
| pletion would speedily bring to claim
] their places among The States. The
'committee are Of the eYiHion that due
regard to the interests If these terrific
ries, md of hardy pioneers who have
settled them, demands liberal action IN
the part Of Congress u eomplet to this
road. 20 wlileh IN a measure the public
faith IS pledged; that the lands orr in.
ally granted Tor il are held for the heo-
eft of those settlers; aud that, even if.
strsctisslml .iaris. Advantage might be
taken OF the failure to neet the re-
quirements Of the charter 10 point Of
time, still, good policy. if not good
faith reqaires the waiver of that al
vantage and y reasonable extension Of
time to secure the accomplishment o.
this great national work.
| The bill accompanying this favorable
report had rider put upon it. The
company, by change of location, pro
posed to surrender 100000 acres o
land, whereupnn the people of Oregon
in the Interest of the Union and Cen
trail Pacific roads, asked that those