Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-01-13
Refuses to Turn over His Omce
ARIZONA.
Connection Complete : The Last Spike
Driven on the southes N Pacific Railroad.

Driven on the southes N Pacific Railroad.
Tucson, January 12sh.-A Star special
from the end of the track to-day says: The
last spike was driven on the bauk of the RIO
Grsnde, 400 feet from the Mexican line, at
II NJ, san Francisco time. The spike
was driven by T. w. Pierce, who
made the following remarks In the ma.
jes.ic presence, and amidst these great can.
yons of the Rio Grande, which impress and
awe me with the power of the Great Jehovah
which teaches more eloquently than words
the insignihcancs of map, and on the other
hand mans significance in mis- great triumph
over the face of nature, of u hich no more
abundant evidence is around us-I proceed
TO drive the spike which connects the waters
of the Pacific Ocean with those of. the
Gulf of Mexico. This I do in this
great presence, and in the fulflIment
of promise made TO myself when visiting
Texas in early youth in search OF health, to
be st least instrumental in this great achieve
ment, which assists to bind the different sec.
lions CT our common country more closely
together, and to make our continent the high.
way of the nations of the earth. May God
in His providence make this great work
rebound to the interest comfort and civiliza-
ton of mankind. With q Leart full of
geatituds to Him in the preservation of my
life to the period of the accompli. hment Of
this great achievement, aud acknowledging
the assistance of my associates without
which the work could not have been con-
pleted, and asking Divine favor upon them,
as also upon the heroic men in every depart
ment, with brain and muscle, who have
periled their lives on this hercalean work, L
now complete this great work.
James Campbsl. Assistant Superintendent
of the Southern Pacific Railroad, followed
Mr.. Pierce IN 3 brief speech, recounting the
difficulties of the work and giving credit to
whom it was due.
The Importance OF I Ibis Great Work.
The route thus opened to Gulf ports will
have an important bearing upon the CONNER
cial relations of the Pacific slope with the
trade centers of the world. The problem of
transportation has been one OF most diff
cult solution to the people of this coast. CAL
ifornia and Oregon are more remote from the
centers of population than any other portion
of the United States. The exports Of any
country have q value in their home market In
proportion to the cost of transportation to
their final market, which must be deducted.
The merchandise received in exchange, on
the contrary, adds to its value the cost of
transportation; hence the commerce of the
Pacific coast is doubly burdened, the value
of exports reduced and the cost of imports
enhanced. Cheap ocean transportation has
been employed TO overcome these disadvan-
tsees bat the voyage via Cope Horn is the
longest made for commercial purposes, and
time and interest become important factors
in the problem. The shove considerations
have strongly influenced the promoters of the
Southern Pacific, and it is worth while to
understand the effect which its completion
is hksiy to exercise on the commercial inter.
ests of the Pacific COAST
The line from Wilmington. Los Angeles
county, to Galveston or New Orleans is from
1,S8@ to 1000 miles hong, connecting the tide
waters OF the Pacific and Atlantis by the
shortest route attsinable within the
limits of the United States at
Nav Orleans, Which fer many reasons
will be the real terminus. 1t comes to con-
nection with q rate of transportation to
the United Kingdom the same as that from
New York. The leading commercial fact
here is that the difference betw aen the ocean
rate of transportation from New Orleans to
Liverpool, or 81 80, and between San Fran
cisco and Liverpool, say an aversge of SIS,
can be covered by rail st cost of from $40
to S12. California producers will no longer !
be compelled to pay oneraus freights on
wheat, WITH light tonnage supply. Tnis
route viii be able to keep freights down |
This IN seasons OF . heavy surplus |
of what or q corner On tonnage. means |
millions in the pockets of California |
fairness. Another important confederation is |
that by virtue of the low rates Of river trans- |
portstion between tAe great valley q the |
Mississippi and its tributaries and New Or |
Jeans, California, Arizona and New Mexico |
aro put in cheap communication with that
vast and populous ares, with its agricultural,
mineral and manefsc uring resources. Still |
another element Of vital interest to Calitor-
MIA Is the facs that European immigrants will
be invited here at an expense for trarsporta.
ton but tribe more than TO the Atlantic
ports. Through ticket arrangements viii be
made, with view to covering this point,
A glance a. the present and future connections
of the new route will be OF interest,". The
esriy completion of the Califosria and
Oregon road viii give continuous line
from Puget Sound through Washington Ter
n A