Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1884-04-10
THE OREGON SHORT LINE.


The people Of this section seem more
aud more ar xious to know the prospects
Of the coming Of the Short Line down
Snake river, and we are written to and
questioned orally almost hourly in refer
cnce 70 the prospects, as though We knew
all about the matter. But, gentlemen,
while We earnestly advocate the enterprise
knowing full we'll that the financial inter
ests Of the company, and the prospects
Of the people of this whole region would
be materially enhanced by the early
building Of the road, yet we cansot be
expected to know with any more certainty,
what will be the policy Of the company
in this respect than many of the friends
Who seek from u the desired information.
We could not be expected to foreshadow
The decision Of the company, till that de-
sision had been made, 50 as 10 become
satisfactory to everyone. What VIC are
at liberty to give the public we cheerful
" do as occasion offers itself. and from
this our rcader are as capable Of judging
Of the probabilities as we are. But one
thing is evident from this inccssant desire
10 know, and that is that no other qucs-
ton is more prominent before this whole
country, than is the early building of that
road, and the desire for favorable ans
ver, has deeper hold upon our people,
than any other desire effecting the future
prosperity Of this country between the
Columbia river and the Bitter Root
mountains. We have from time to time
published tho fact that tho managers Of
the Short Line do not move with the
blowing Of horns and the sounding Of
trumpets in advance Of their works like
some others We have known Of. When
they have made their full decision, they
will not be long in commencing the work
and when once commenced ir will be
progressed as fast as men and means can
accomplish it, and when it has progressed
as far ~ this place, We hope to. see no
narrow and selfish policy pursued towards
the company to cause them any embar-
rassment in the work, nor any unreason-
able exactions il regard to rights Of way
over private lands, and depot aud station
grounds. A spirit Of illiberality shown
towards that company would be sure to
injnre our prospects,, and the indiscrtions
Of few among VI in this respect would
not only injure themselves, but would also
fall heavily on all others who were more
liberal. We don't believe in granting
unreasonable privileges to railroad COM
panies, but we do believe in aiding a
company who will aid US and not exact
from W more than We can bear. We
believe in reciprocity Of dealing in these
matters. We think if more reciprocity
Of feeling and conduct were manifested
between railroad companies and the peo-
ple We would have fur less Of trouble and
antagonisn than is now apparent. Rail.
road companies expend their money liber-
ally asd are justly entitled 70 .her rcas-
enable interest on their investments, and
the people must be allowed n chance to
make something upon their labor. Rail
road must give the people a chance to
make their Improvements commensurate
With increased production without bank
rptcy, in order to swell the products for
railroad transportation and railroad man.
agers who study carefully this principle
make more money in q long run.