National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-05-14
NORTHERN pICIFTC RAIIRoAD.
Its Value to tho Government and tho Coun-

Its Yaluo to tho Government and tho Coun-
try.
In response to resolution from the house COM
mitee on Pacific railroads calling upon the Secre-
retary Of "for information as to the saving in
expenditures resulting to the government from the
construction OF the Northern Pacific railroad"
Representative McI.ano, chairman OF the commit
tee. received yesterday communication from Sec
rotary Ramsey, inclosing report of General Sher-
man, dated May Z. 1880 and report of the quarter
muStcr-general, dated May s. 1880. The letter Is
very voluminous aud goes into the details OF vari-
Gus contracts fr military transportation made by
the government during the past ten years.
II states that the total cost to the qnartermRsers
department for transportation over the Northern
Pacific railroad during the fiscal year ending June
3d. 1877, was STl j0O1T and If the same transporta
ton rates had been applied in 1869 Zone year before
tho Northern Pacific railroad was opened between
any points In the department of Dakotd) the gov
| crnment wouId have saved over 100000: that the
quI reruastcrs department paid fully six times as
| much for transportation to oil points in the de-
psrtment now reached by railroad 0s 1t has since
the railroads were constructed, which would indi-
cato saving to the government of over S30OO,OOO
IN the cost of military tIansportion during
tho ten years tho Northern Pacific rail.
roads haye been in operation. In con
clusion the report says: The effect OF rail
| government 10 establish new military posts and
garrisons further in tho wilderness, in closer
proximity TO Indian tribes and IN unsettled regions
before practically inaccessible III this respect the
army may be considered the vanguard of ciyiliza
| ton. The wagon-hau and steamboat seryico
necessary for the supply Of the new posts estab-
tho transportation expenses are increased instead
| of lcssened. Such has been the experience of the
| army with the Northern Pacific railroad, and will
probably continue until 1t spans the continent.
Important considerations, which should not be
| overlooked in comparison of rail with wagon
transportation in military movements, nre the
vastly superior facilities safety and speed afforded
by rail, the effects of which large saving in
the expenditure of public money. an improved
ptta nf a N
ing on the frontier, quick movements and consc-
qucntly the shortening or absolute prevention
of military campaigns and expeditions. Six
days per 100 miles for mule trains and eight
days per 100 miles for OK trains was the time al.
lowed for wagon transportation In the department
of Dakota in 1860. The Northern Pacific railroad
probably transports stores long distance in one
hour as tho wagons and teams did in one day and
delivers stores at destination in much better condi-
ton"
Tonching the Pacific division of the Northern
Pacific, the report says 1t is not much used at
present, but doubtless a II extends eastward 1t will
open new and better and more economical routes
OF supply to posts in the military department OF the
Columbia especially to those ut CCeur D'Aleno aud
COlvillc and similar results will probably spring
from the extension of its line, as have been ex-
perienced in the department of Dakota, from the
line of the same road now extending westward.
The following is General Shcrmans report in
fIll:
HEApouARTERs ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES
WAsHXGroN, d. c., May 7. 1880.
Hon A. Ramsey Secretary Of Var:
sir: IhAre the honor TO acknowledge the re-
ceipt by reference from You of the resolution of
the house committee on Pacific railroads. calling
for In formation TO the probable saving in money
to the military authorities by the comp ction OF tho
Northern Pacific railroad from Bismarck westward
and its general effect on the military and Indian
service IN that quarter. In the summer of 1877
made q military reconnaissance from st. Paul to
Puget sound purposely to become acquainted with
the region to be traversod BY this Pacific railroad
and send herewith for the use of the committee u
bound copy Of my report with maps. Since 1867 |
have been in constant correspondence with army
officers and with prominent citizens thus keeping
up In knowledge with the development of this re-
gon of tho United States. with its telegrapls rail
roads and common roads, so that profess to write
whereof know.
In military sense the immediate extension of
this railroad from Bismarck to tho Yellowstone,
and up the valley of that river as high as the
mouth Of tho Big Horn. will be beyond any esti-
mate the quartormaSter-genera can make, because
this railroad will transport men and supplies for
ten if not twelve months Of the year, while tho
Missouri river and tho Yellowstone are barely nayi-
gable by light-draft boats for two or at most three
months This part OF the Northern Pacific rail-
road will stimulate the emigrants 10 occupy tho
| l!no of the Yellowstone east and west to such
| an extent as to form barrier 10 tho n0madic In.
dianSwho have heretofore back and forth from
tho Sioux reservation south to the British territory
north and will enable us in Il very few years to
give up forts keogh and Custer each requiring
tor garrison full regiment OF infantry and four
companies Ofcavalry. These could then be moved
north TO lhe British line'-our permanent frontier
by this process we divide the hostile Sioux, and
can subduU either molety with more certainty and
nt less cost than now. This railroad once COM
p,ocd the eastern slopes of the Rocky mountains
on the sources of Tongue and Powder, Big Horn,
Mussel Shell and Judith will Ill up with cattle
ranches making further barrier to tho operations
OF the hostile Indians aud adding largely 10 the
wealth of tho nation IL Is equally important TO
the military and civil interests of the whole oouu-
try that Montana should hll upwith hardy farmers,
and this will be immediate result of tho eXten.
sion westward of this northern railroad.
Beyond the Rocky mountains the most import
ant link IN this railroad is that from Wallua, head
OF navigation OF the Columbia, IN Lake Rcnd Grille,
which will result IN the settlement of that
part Of Washington territory and northern
lasho--a region capable of maintaining
large population, which in short time
would settle the Indian question In that remote re-
gou and facilitate and cheaper intercourse for the
base Of supplies tFou Vancouver) with Forts COL
VILE CBlr d'Aeue aud Lake Chelon, now gar.
rlsoncd by the second infantry. l am unable to
make even an Approximate estimate OF the saving
in cost Of transportation OF men and military
stores by the completion Of this railroad but this
bears small proportion to the great result ofopcns
ing up 10 settlement regions now Wild, which
would give homes and employment to 100000 or
100000 OF industrious people. l am, with great
respect, your obedent servant.
w, T. SHERMAN, general.
-
Democratic Economy.
Boston, May l3,--Tho shutting off of gas and
I'm tho and sub.ireaSury tn.dny ra.