The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1880-03-19
TAe Marrow eauee Rallroai.

In another part Of this issue Of our paper
win be seen q letter from wm. Reid, Of
Portland. to the railroad committee Of this
city, in which no seems to be very indignant
over what the DEMOCRAT had to say Of his
proposition last week. We have nothing TO
take back what We said was correct, It is
true thas the citizens OF Albany would like
very much to have connection with that rail.
road, in fact We never saw our people so en-.
thusiastie on any matter before as they were
when the telegram was received announcing
that Mr.. Reids representatives would be
here that evening to confer in relation to
bringing the road 10 this city. But It is just
as We said, when Mr.. Reid's letter was re-
ceived announcing thar he would bring the
road to this city in consideration of q dona-
tiOn of $4,000 and bridge which would
cost from $4,000 to 100000, tho news
seemed 70 fall upon our citizens like wet
blanket. and their ardor was cooled in mo.
menk It was in effect simply the same as
saying that the railroad would not come
here. for our people cannot raise that much
money. They viii do ali they can, but 10
raise $3.50. 900 when our coanty has been so
badly ''rusted" is an impOssibility. A great
deal Of freight is received here and an enor.
nous amount sent away during the year. and
If the narrow gauge should be extended to
this point and their other terminus be
placed either at Astoria or Portland, they
would get large amount Of the transporta.
tion, providing the rates would be as low As
Mr. Reid represents. or even as low as is
now paid. For this reason we think the
road would pay its stockholders larger diei-
dends If it came to Albany than it would to
run away of up in Kings valley. II Mr..
Reid can bald and operate narrow gauge
railroad IS cheap as he says, and charge so
much less for freight than the broad gauge.
we can't sec why he wants to ramble around
up in the foothills with his railroad, where
It viii taxa years to open up sufficient trade
10 pay him. Il looks to US like il would be
business to come where the bulk Of the
freight was-right here in the central valley.
II he should conclude to do so cur people
will gladly aid him, both with a reasonable
subsidy and great deal ef good will and
large amount of freight mixed promiscuously
together. The future Of our city We think
Is very bright. Our water power is unlimit-
ed; it is just as County Down Irishman
stated here few days ago: ''Your water
power is sufficient to propel all the mills Of
Belfast" Only from sixteen to twenty tur-
bine wheels are now propelled by it, but the
number increases gradually. We now have
three mills which send considerable quanti-
ty Of iour to foreign countries, and this num-
Der viii be increased to four and probably
five during the year. Our climate is 50
much ike that Of Old Erin that flax grows
very successfully, and from correspondence
which We have seen we judge that it IS very
probable that before long machinery for
working fax viii be brought here. In fact
it is our opinion that before. another five
years rolls around all the salmon twine used
on the Columbia and the largest part Of the
bag twine used on this Coast will be manu-.
factured in this city, and this opinion is not
created out of nothing, for we have positive
knowledge that movement Is on foot to ac-
complish this object. On account Of its nat
Hrai advantages our city is sure t. have large
manufacturing interests, and such cities
prove reDunerative TO railroads having lines
passing through them.