Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-10-01
CALIFORNIA & OREGON n. r.
An Earnest Appeal for Its Extension and
Completion.

Completion.
The San Francisco Alta publishes the
following letter. addressed to that journal !:
As citizen and landowner in that part
of the State most vitality interested in this
matter, l wish. through the medium of
your widely-circnlated paper, to call atten-
ton to few of the many GOOD reasons
why It seems TO me that it is a simple act
OF justice TO the State at large and the peo-
pie OF Shasta, Siskiyou, Modoc and Lassen
counties in particular, for Congress to ex-
tend the time prayed for in the petition 10
that body by our last Legislature That it
is true, as alleged, for the interest of all for
said grant TO remain good, witness the
unanimous sentiment Of every intelligent
citizen and property-owner in said section,
TO the fact that the completion Of said rail
road is boon for which they have looked
with longing eyes, for 10 these many
years-the sheet-anchor and only hope for
progress and any material development
whatever, their only hope from emancipa-
ton from real monopoly of the most dam
aging character-viz: the miserable toll
roads and exorbitant charges for toll and
freight from terminus of said road to
freka. For example: Toll on six-horse
team, $50, for sorty miles of travel; for same
distapa e al light carriage, two horses, s..
and no appeal. Freight charges from Red
ding to Hreka curing summer and fall
months, when the roads are good, from
two to three cents per pound, and in
winter but little done and at much higher
rates. Stage fare from Redding TO Yreka,
Sl5, with the privilege Of an all-night ride,
TO say nothing of bumps and joits that no
one, who has been so unfortunate as to
make the trip, will ever forget. Il seems
to me that there could not be "a people more
effeetlaily handicapped against all pros
perity and healthy development than are
the people of this district and have been
for years. There is no relief short Of the
completion OF this railroad. The people of
this land-loeked region have the right to
demand OF their representatives in Con-
gress to 50 present this matter TO that BODY.
IN such a manner that its true bearings
may be understood, and being true to the
best interest of the State and people, insist
upon the non-forfeiture OF said land grant.
The injustice to the people of northern
California, in any other course, is clearly
shown IN the fact that for the last twenty
three years the counties named have been
taxed to pay for railroads through other
counties of this State from which they
received no benefit, and have since 1863
paid into the State treasury their pro rata
share OF tax to pay interest and principal
or the 81, 100000 granted by the State Leg
lslature to aid the Central Pacific Railroad
Company, $4,000 per mile for every mile
OF road nom the city of Sacramento to the
State line, a distance of 125 miles.
lSee Statutes Of California, chapter
314, page 465). Then ask. in
all fairness and equity, have not the citi-
zens OF said counties, who have been taxed
these long years for the benefit of the peo-
pie all along the line of the railroad, from
Sacramento TO the Nevada line, to say
nothing Of those further south, who have
been in full enjoyment of all the benefits
conferred by q completed road Tor years
and years. say, have they not perfect
right to claim some consideration at the
hands Of the State at large, through our
delegation in Congress. in an earnest and
united effort before that body, in order that
the prayers Of the people may be granted.
viz, the extension of time to complete
sought for, which would be guarantee for
the early completion of this railroad, and
place the people of northern California on
an even base with other parts of the State,
and on the high road to a speedy and pros
porous development of their immense tim
Der, stock, grain and mineral resources,
which are now dormant, and will ever
remain SO until this line of railroad is
completed. Then by all means let us work
for the extension of time PRAYED for,
insuring an early completion of this road,
and giving the people of northern Califor-
MIA 4 fair show in the race for progress and
development.
Respectfully S. D. FEATHER.
Oregon Slough Ranch, Shasta valley, Cal |