Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-09-04
TIE BUILDING OF THE CALIFORNIA
AND OREGON ROAD.

For some days there have appeared
items in several journals to the effect
that the California and Oregon Railroad
Company had resolved to immediately
complete their road to the Oregon line
The statement appears to have been ac-
cepted as verify in all its fullness, and the
press INDUCED in great deal of consratu-
lation over it. The enthusiasm with which
the news was received, and the hopeful
speculations made as to the beneficial re-
suits to flow from the construction, testified
in the most foreble manner to the sincerity
of the desire of the people to have the
completion speedily accomplished.
Believing that there must be error in
the rumor, since without assurance of the
land grant there could be no sufficient
basis upon which to raise the funds needed
for the purposes of construction, we hest
tated to give credit to the story. As we an
b ticipated, the fact develops that there has
been no resolution to complete the road
While the desire to go on with the work
is equal to the public urgency for its con-
struction, and the now practically unani-
nous petition of the people for it, it is as
eertalned that the construction of the
line to the Oregon boundary must be de-
pendent upon the action of Congress next
winter relative to the land grant.
This is precisely as we expected A
line of railroad cannot be constructed
upon such n route as that of the California
and Oregon upon the security afforded by
the road-bed alone. If any doubt prevails
as to the desire of the company to go on
with the work, it will be dissipated by the
fact that the rumor referred to grows out
OF orders issued to do some work upon diff
hcult and exposed parts of the route, where
the prosecution of construction must be
very tedious and slow and exceedingly
yexatious. There are some partially CON-
pieted portions Of the line, also, that de-
mand certain protection from elemental
influences of the winter, in order that what
has been done shall not be lost.
To this extent, therefore, it is under
stood there is to be some work done, but
that there will be speedy completion of the
line Is not matter of certainty, and is, as
we have said, dependent upon the action
OF Congress. In a degree the work, it now
Develops IS anticipatory of Congressional
consent TO an extension of the time for
earning the land grant to the road. II
Congress shall give this consent it will be
IN accordance with the wishes of this peo-
pie, the unquestioned commercial demands
OF the coast, and the developing necessities
OF the State. In the last Legislature this
sentiment found expression in both he;,ses
by more than two-thirds vote in each
and was evidenced in the following cor
current resolution, approved March 9th
Resotod, That our Representatives In Con
gress be requested and our Senators instructed
10 use all honorable means to secure the passage
oil a bill, extending the time two wears from ~
passage OF the same. for the completion of the
California and Oregon Railroad 10 the bornd
aiS me oetwssn california and Oregon and to
MAKE connection with the Oregon aud Califor-
MIA Railroad, so as 10 form through continu-
Gus line TO Portland, Or; and providing that II
ut the expiration of said term of two years AM,
part OF either Of SAID railroads shall NOT De com
pleted, then all lands unearned by either of said
roads, and lying opposite such uncomplefed
portions. snail be forfeited, and shall revert 10
the United States, without further legislation by
Congress. -
1t IS. therefore, certain that should the
extension prayed for be granted, the worl,
OF construction for completion will be en-
tered upon with exceptional vigor as early
as climatic conditions Will permit, and as
result there will he opened up for settle
ment and development section of north