Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-02-15

looked down distance of /, 100 feet. Here
was where the railroad must climb to cross
the Rocky Mountains, and as they sat and
discussed the matter various suggestions
arose. One of the party in a bantering
strain said that possibly derrick might
be erected by which the cars could be
lifted. Others made various suggestions.
but finally engineering skill was brought
to bear, and it was found that, though the
grade would be very steep and the road
would be very expensive to build, yet this
greatest obstacle could be surmounted. and
so eventually it was. The story of the
road everyone knows. 1t was built and
became profitable. Then the Government
projected its railway to the Pacific, and
the pioneers in the first enterprise, obtain
ing charters in the various States and then
securing the concession from the Govern
ment, undertook and carried through the
magnificent enterprise and said Senator
Stanford: 1--WE had great difficulties and
encountered many obstacles. | am i'm
pressed with the belief that if we had
chung to our first road under the exclu-
sive privileges we had, we would have
made IN the end as much money from that
as we did by starting in on larger pro-
ject"
DIFFICULT RAILROAD CONSTRUCTION
Speaking of the difficulties which they
met he said it required the labor of TO-
900 Cinnamon and 5000 white men four
years to build the fist $50 miles, and that
half that force of men in ten DAYS less
than ten months subsequently built 500
miles of the transcontinental road over the
plains.
TALKING POLITICS.
Mr.. Stanford does not hesitate to discuss
political questions, and speaks of them
with great freedom. He said in reference
to his vote in favor of the confirmation of
Secretary Lamar to the Supreme Court
Judgeship that he felt that Mr. Lamar
was as good us any other Southern man.
and If he were not confirmed perhaps
more unworthy nomination would be
thrust upon the Senate. Senator Stanford
believes in protection to American indus
tries, and thinks the time has come for the
abolition in large part at least of the in
ternal war taxes. Concerning the Presi-
dental situation he says the Pacific States
Will favor any man who can carry the
State of New York, and that it is only
necessary for the delegates from New
York to name their candidate to have him
chosen.
A BELIEVER IN CALIFORNIA.
Senator Stanford believes in the future
of California. He says that there are now
five transcontinental lines-perhaps more
than traffic warrants-and that there is
but very little need of a transcontinental
canal. California is receiving the benefit
OF large immigration and there is a nat
ural rise in property, though in the south
ern part of the State there has been lit
tie toe much booming.
HABITS OF LIFE.
more plainly dressed man than Sena-
tor Stanford cannot be found in Washing
ton. He wears plain black cravat, no
diamonds, neat gold shirt studs and his
fingers are not adorned with rings. His
suit is of plain, though fine black material
and as he sits in his home respendent with
the richest pictures, bric-a-brac and other
furnishings that wealth can provide, he
seems himself to be without a trace of
pride or egotism. 1t is his habit to rise
at in the morning and breakfast is his
best meal. When at his home in Califor-
MIA he walks mile and half to his office,
has light lunch at noon, walks to his
home at night, and retires by 10 or II. He
Is suffering at present somewhat from
nervous prostration, and is not sleeping as
well as in the past, but his constitution is
still vigorous and his health on the whole
quite as good as it has been during the
past few years. Senator Stanford takes
great pride in Albany. The first words
with which he greeted me were: at does
me good to meet some one from Albany"
His eyes sparkle and smile lightens his
face when one converses with him about
Albany topics and in his conversation he
speaks as Familiarity of Albany sights and
scenes and of Albany people as if he were
still a resident at the State capital
A POWER AT WASHINGTON.
Senator Stanford is conceded to be one
of the strongest members on the Republ-
can side of the Senate. In Washington
his friends are numberless. He entertains
with delightful hospitality, and Mrs. Stan
ford lends her charming presence to many
leading social events. As a politician
Senator Stanford's influence in his own
State is paramount, while in Washington
his views always command close attention.
He does not speak frequently or elabo-
rately III the Senate, but when ne ad-
dresses that body he speaks with force and
vigor. Remembering him as one of AL
bangs favored sons, those of us who live
at the capital of our State must always
feel pride in the dazzling and creditable
career of Senator Stanford. j. AS.