Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1888-05-23
WHILE THERE'S LIFE, ETC!
There is Still an Opportunity to
Secure the Removal of the
Depot Site.

telligent readers, again, after they
have seen fit to drop the matter en-
tirely, but he will not admit that
there is another question of equal
Importance to the city of Salem, her
inhabitants and future veal before
them at this time.
What causes the writer to resume
consideration of this interesting
subject, is the fact that he has re-
Gently gotten some information that
he thinks concerns the people too
deeply to allow it to pass unnoticed.
This is that the removal of the
depot site might be secured without
expense or bond to the people of
Salem.
OF course, it was evident, from the
way business men did not turn out
to the meeting called by Mayor
Murphy, one would be led to think
they did not want the site changed;
but in conversation with several of
the heaviest property owners and
taxpayers of the city, reporter was
led to believe that the $4,000 bond
asked for by Mr.. Koehler, scared
them off.
1t is now learned that the build
ing to be erected at this city will
cost upwards of seven thousand
dollars, and that it will be the
largest and best depot on the Oregon
division. Work will be commenced
on it as soon as possible. Now let
us consider the present o. & c. time
card:
Overland express leaves San
Francisco now at $50 o'clock in the
evening, arrives at Salem at $40
o'clock in the morning,-a good
hour for breallfast-arrives at Port
land at 1040 a. m.
Leaves Portland at 4 p. M, arrives
at Salem at $50 p. m, "a good hour
for supper-arrives at San Francisco
at 7:40 a. m.
These time cards are so arranged
now that the best part of the day is
given at both Portland and San
Francisco, and passengers going to
those cities may attend to a good
deal of business and return on the
next train. Considering this, there
is no likelihood of the present time
card being materially changed soon.
Considering the fact that the
depot building to be erected here is
to be a good sized building, could it
not be made the eating house for
supper and breakfast, andby chang
ing the time of the local express
trains very little, both could be
here at dinner. The hours at AL
bany for the morning aud evening
meal are out of all reason, making
passengers wait too long at evening,
and waking them too early in the
morning.
Suppose Salem, then, to be the
eating station: Trains would then
stop here twenty minutes. Suppose
the new depot were to be erected at
the corner of Court and 18th streets
The passengers would have time to
look around; see our state capitoland
public school buildings, the univer-
sity buildings, several handsome
residences, our beautiful broad
streets, and other things that would
attract, and perhaps some might
stop off to see more of such a pretty
town. Suppose the depot to be at
the old location: the view is not
cheerful, no chance for passengers
to see the city, and a very slim
chance for many to stop off fol
a further view Of the city.
1t is said by some who are in the
railroad swim, that if the matter
could be presented to Col. Chas.
Crocker in the right light, that the
removal of the depot could be easily
secured. Why not send a good man
to San Francisco, and see about it?
1t will be positive shame if the
people of Salem allow the narrow
wishes of a few, who can't raise their
ideas above their own personalities,
to hinder this enterprise. 1t is a
question.of either prosperous growth,
with the depot in sight of town,
or of slow plodding future alike
in the past. If it remains where il
Is