The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-02-15

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY, Is, 1884;
! OUR NEW OUTLET.
In the midst Of these depressing
times, in which the entire country
shares alike, it is the good fortune Of
this portion of the great Northwest,
to see, Us we think, looming up very
prominently star OF promise which
Is calculated to infuse new hopes in
the heart Of every settler. and in che
near future to impart q stimulus to
the development of our country that
will surpass all former precelents. We
need not say that we refer to the open.
ing up of the Hudson Bay route to
Europe. This Is very pleasing pros.
pect to present to the readers of the
PIONEER EXPRESS and we believe it
is rs certain of fulfilment as it is graft.
flying to contemplate.
The scheme may, indeed, be said to
be visionary in the sense that its fulfil.
ment is yet in the future and that it
involves startling possibilities. But
1t must lie borne in mind that there
has scarcely ever been great scheme
presented to the world that was not at
first greeted with universal spirit of
unbelief. And it is further to he noted
in this case that there are interested
corporations and business centres
whose policy it is just now to throw
cold water OIL this new enterprise.
Montreal, Toronto, New York, Chicago,
st. Paul, Minneapolis and other cities
of lesser Importance would all look
with disfavor OH the development Of a
project that would tend to divert trade
from their doors. 1t may he expected,
then, that from such quarters will
come many discouraging words and
EXPLANATIONS of derision.
OF the advantages to Dakota and
Minnesota, and especially to the Red
River Valley, that will follow the
opening up the Hudson Bay route to
Europe, we will not now speak, but
briefly refer to the available. data
which goes to show that the Hudson
Bay and Straits are navigable for q
sufficient length Of time each year to
admit of the establishment of great
commercial route between the two
continents, sufficient for the purposes
which it is designed to serve.
There are reliable records to prove
thu seven hundred and fifty voyages
havAbeen made by that route withvery
few losses, and this without the pro.
lection afforded by system of light
houses. But the testimony of Prof.
Bell is the most satisfactory. He was
twenty-five years on the Geological
Survey, and spent six years on the
banks of Hudson's Bay. His testi-
mony is clear and positive as to the
practicability of the route. So is that
of all others who have travelled in
that region, so far as heard from yet.
Mr.. Geo. s. McTavish, of Pembina,
spent fourteen years ip the vicinity Of
Hudson's bay and he is emphatic in the
belief that q good hsrbor may be had,
free from ice at least four months in
the year, and rs far rs Hudson's straits
is concerned lie believes they are
navigable every month in the
year. So far as we can learn
men of experience and observa.
tion in the matter are believers In the |
practicability of the route, while the
doubters and cavaliers seem to know
very little about it. having probably |
based their conclusions on the obsolete
descriptions and haphszard isothermal
lines found in antiquated school
aliases.
There has also been Q good deal Of
extravagant guessing by those opposed
to this scheme as to the obstacles in
the way of building railway to Hud.
sons Bay. To set this matter clear
the company announce that they have
plans and field notes covering the entire
route, made by competent engineers,
and that careful estimate fixes the
probable cost Of building and equipp-
ing the road at 90. 600 mile. It is
we'll known, however BY those familiar
with the country that there are no
formidable engineering difficulties to
contend with, SO that the expense Of
constructing the road is not to be
thought Of seriously, considering the
immense advantages that would &C.
crue.
We cannot. therefore, regard this
question as otherwise than one Of
transcending Importance to the people
of Dakota and Minnesota. A northern
route to Europe has been dream
INDUCED by many fur seeing men; it
was discussed fourteen years ago in
the Manitoba legislature. Fortunate
ly, there we're those who would not let |
the subject die until now there is
every probability Of the early con.
summation of scheme that is destin.
ed to revolutionize the condition and
prospects of this great cereal belt. Let
Dakota join Manitoba in agitating this
question that the country may see
what there is in it; for we are assured
that as soon as the mlsts have been
brushed away that an indiffere world
has allowed to shroud this question for
centuries, capital will flow IN from
every quarter to speed forward the
development Of this route, which is
destined to make the heart of this con,