Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-02-13
sELFISR oBJeCrIoEs TO THB CALIgoR-
MA AND oREGoR ROAD.


II appears that the food of protests and
petitions which have poured into Washing
ton from California aud Oregon against the
forfeiture of the Californis and Oregon
Railroad grant have put our delegation
upon serious inquiry. There can be but
two reasons for the forfeiture ;subserviency
to a supposed popular animosity to rail-
roads aided by land grants, and the selfish
deaires of cities that DO not wish COM
pe;ing line of carriage constructed parallel
with the ocean routes Thus, San Fran
cisco journal makes bold to say that 1.-THE
northern counties are but sparselY inhab-
tied and have little trade. Ii the road
were extended to Portland what great
benefits should we derive from it? We
are already within three days Of that city
by steamer. Were the road completed,
freight would still prefer the sea to the
land route, because it is cheaper and the
difference in time is OF little consequence.
We could never hope to control much of
the trade of the upper Willamette valley,
which would probably in any event 90 to
Portland, while much of the travel be-
tween Oregon and many portions of the
country not now accessible by the North
ern Pacific 5ooul9 not pass through San
Francisco at all bit 90 cast amt 1rest BY rag
critic Sacramento colley." The italics are
ours. Probably they are not needed, how
ever, to point the viciously selfish and
cold, blooded policy that actustes San
Francisco in this matter, as in about all
Others regarding the interior of the State.
What benefit shall ne derive from it %
That is the question the metropolis always
advances when State interests present their
claims. What benefit would you derive,
forsooth: Why, it ought to be apparent
TO the average mind of the San Franciscan,
not warped by selfshness, that whatever
advances California, or any part OF it ;
whatever developes the remotest section :;
whatever tends to settle and populate with
desirable people any county or valley of
California, contributes to the commercial
Importance of San Francisco, augments
her .rade aud exalts her as a metropolis.
We have no patience with a people so
shortsighted as those who measure their
duty and interest by purely local bounds.
The objection of the assumed exponent of
public opinion in San Francisco from
which we have quoted, that the northern
oouuties are but sparsely settled, and
have but little trade, :" is in itself one of
the most cogent reasons possible to be ad-
vAnced for opening them up TO their full
possibilities speedily by rail con-
nection. We venture to say that if
this is not done by the aid Of the land
grant now under consideration many years
will elspse before capital can be induced
to build into the section referred to, and
wait, as wait it must for decade for the
SLIGHTEST reward. The truth is, it is the
through connection which constitutes the
chief motive for building the road that
must benefit this State immeasursbly, and
make her great valleys, from the north line
to the Colorado, the chief highways over
which will be transported produce and
supplies for population that will make
California and Oregon two OF the richest
States in the Union. This rev trunk line
thor0ughfare, traversiDg the length of Cal
ifcrria and Oregon, is objected to by San
Francisco simply because it may not pass
through that city. In truth San Francisco
will have nothing to lose and everything
to csiu by the very work against y ioh
she ia arrsyed in opposition, if the paper
froG. which we quote voices the sentiment
of her people.
But the consummstion SO much desired
cannot be brought about now, with all its
attendant benefits TO the northern counties
by way of development and opening up to
set lsmsnt and trade, or many years, I'M
less he all but insurmountable physical