Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1882-08-15

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possessing such All enormous revenue
will soon render them well nigh inde-
pendent of laws and of the men who
are supposed to make them. The ra-
pidity with which new lines are being
constructed, especially iii the Wcs,, is
a ,tonishing. During the first six
months Of this year over 5000 mil. 8
Of track have been laid in the Unit, d
States, and it is estimated that more
than that number of miles will be com.
| pleted in the other six months, 80 that
the total construction for the year will
not fall far short Of ii 900 niles. Last
year it was 9,35S miles. There are
now four through lines between Chi
cago and Denver, all most complete in
their appointments and magnificent
highways in every respect. No fault
can be found on that scure. But one
would naturally expect that SO
much competition would produce low
rates as well as luxurious accommodate
tions. Yet it does not. The new line
is no sooner ready for business than it
enters the old combination, or pool"
to keep the rates up to a point of ex-
tortion, almost, and divide the proceeds
among themselves. A meeting of the
managers Of these lines was held here.
in Denver only a few days since to ad-
just The details OF this DIVISION. But
" whatever these roads do there can he
no more arbitrary and unjust con,bina-
ton than that now existing among the
eastern trunk lines, which is so rigid
that the usual concession for excursion
parties, etc, are not allowed. The
once liberal and progressive Penns.yl-
vana road is moving spirit in this
pool with Vanderbilt and Gould. When
Tom Scott was at the helm this COM
pany had some respect for public SELL
'tment and the rights of its patrons.
Under the. present management it ls
conducted on tie hog plan, and both
public opinion ard public interests are
wholly ignured. But have written
enough ab' ut railroads for the present
though not han as much az might be
written. On the way out here met
commercial ira, eler who is some
thing of wag and thus related the
experience of himself and companion
O.. the way west over the Baltimore
and Ohio. They were the sole occu-
pants of the smoking car and tried TO
converse, but the road was so rough
they were pitched from side to side
like ships passengers. AT last they
were able to understand. One SAID,
"the old thing is running smoother"
To which Dan replied, Yes, | guess
she has got off the track"
Denver has changed or improved
wonderfully in the four years since my
last visit here. From the bustling lit
tie town of perhaps 30. 1000 inhabitants
at that time il has grown into a city
of nearly double that number, while
fine public buildings and costly private
residences have gone up on every
street. 1t is truly metropolis, cor
responding in Importance to New York
in the East and comparing in beauty
with the best cities of any section.
The numerous milionaires who. have
"struck it rich" in Leadville and else
" here during the last few years have
much to improve this city
for they nearly all come here to 1--we.
Governor" Tabor. for instance, Is Que
pt these-in fact, one of the heroes OF
Colorado, whose praises are loudly
sung in every part Of the State, but
more especially here IN Denver, where