Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-04-27
IRRIGATION AND PROGRESS.
WIN. M. STEWARDS SPEECH In THE
UNITED STATES SENATE.
The Pacific Railroad Debt to Inn
prove the Roads and Develop
the Country.

Senator William NJ. Stewart of Nevada
delivered a speech in the United States
Senate on the 9th OF February which IS
worthy the careful perusal of every person
interested in the welfare of the Pacific
coast States The bill under consideration
was Senate Bill No. 3,401, amending the
Acts of Congress providing for the con-
structiou of the Pacific railroads, providing
for a settlement of the claims growing out
of the issue of bonds to aid in their construc-
ton and to secure to the United States the
payment of all Indebtedness of certain COM
panies. Mr.. Stewart gave notice that after
offer the following resolution, which was
read by the Secretary:
Resolued, That Senate bill 340l, providing for
funding the Indebtedness of the Union Pacific
Railroad Company, be, and is hereby recon-
mitted to the Select Committee on Pacific Rail
roads, with instructions TO report a bill which
shall provide for the payment OF the indebted
ness to the United States OF the several Pacific
railroads for the construction of which bonds
have been issued by requiring sums of money
equal to the indeb edness to the United States
of the Union Pacific Railroad Compony and its
branches, and the Central Pacific Railroad
Company, as the successor of the Central Pacific
Railroad Company of California and the
Western Pacific Railroad Company, TO be ex-
pended by said railroad companies respect
Ively, in the construction of such improvements
on the main lines of said railroads, including
double tracks and tunnels to avoid high grades,
and such new unincumbered branch railroads
as Congress may approve, and in the construc-
ton of such hydraulic works for the purpose of
irrigation as Congress may authorize. with such
limitations upon treights and fares to be charged
railroad IN
proved and constructed as will insure cheap
transportation.
Mr.. Stewart said: Mr.. President: The
subject of the Pacific railroads has been so
much discussed that hardly feel author
lied in occupying any considerable time;
but inasmuch as all the propositions that
have been made since the roads were con-
structed have had tendency 10 impose ad-
ditional burdens upon the people of my
State and upon the people inhabiting the
adjoining States and Territories, think it
well to examine briefly
THE ORIGIN OF THESE ROADS
And their objects, for the purpose of show
ing the very unequal burdens that must be
borne by the people along the line OF these
roads if any of these bills pass as proposed.
In other words, if the debt is exacted from
these roads it must be collected from the
local traffic along their lines.
There are several other continental roads
that are completed so that none of the sub
sidized roads can make money TO pay this
debt or to pay their other debts by through
business. That will be reduced to the
minimum necessarily, and consequently
the money has to be paid by local traffic
Is that just? Is it just under all the cir
cumstances to burden those localities IN
the way proposed?
If NV nOSifior aonli ho oorr:a1 M, 4
this indebtedness used in the construction
of branch roads and in improving the main
lines, and where there is no business now
to create business by appropriating por-
ton of the money for hydraulic works for
irrigation, so that the people can occupy
the lands, great good would be accom-
plished, not only to the people there, but
TO the whole L nited States.
THE CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD
Has now an enormous debt the frst-mort-
gage bonds on $50 miles of it amounting 10
$4,000 mile; the balance OF it through
my State to $50, 900 mile. This mortgage
was authorized by Congress and is prior to
the Government claim. The principal oil
the Government claim is equal TO the first
mortgage and to this must be added the
unpaid interest, which is now about equal
to the principal. When TIE Government
terest it not only doubles the debt, but in
orelses it at least three-fold, beng an aver
;ge debt on the whole line of something
over 500, 600 mile, which if exacted from
the local trade must necessarily prevent
the development of Nevada and the inte-
rior part OF the country. If used for the
development of the country, by the build
ing of more branch railroads which shall
be free from debt, with regulations by Con.
gress requiring cheap freights, the country
can be developed and will prosper, but moi
otherwise.
Now, in order that the burden of this
enterprise may not fall upon few and tc
show that ii ought to be borne bv the
country, want to remind the Senate O.
the circumstances under which this road
was built, for it is claimed that as early a.
1884 the question of building Pacific rail
road was agitated-long before the Mexican
war.
twas the dream of many enterprisins
men, rather enthusiastic perhaps, that
railroad from
NEW YORK TO THE MOUTH OF THE coLUM
BIA RIVER
Would certainly be constructed. This wa,
agitated from time to time. | need not %
into the history of it in detail. but it finally
attracted the attention OF Congress. IL
1888 the first Act OF Congress looking to tn,
construction of Pacific railroad wa,
passed, as follows:
SECTION 10. Aad be II further enacted That tn,
Secretary of War DE, and he is hereby author
lied, under the direction of the President o
the United States, TO employ such portion of thu
corps of typographical engineers, and sucI
other persons as ne may deem necessary Il
make such explorations and surveys as he may
deem advisable. 10 ascertain the most practi
cable and economical route for a railroad from
the Mississippi river to the Pacific Ocean, anc
that the sum of $50. or 50 much thereof a.
may be necessary be, and the same is hereby
appropriated out of any money in the Treasury
not otherwise appropriated, TO defrsy the ex
pense of such explorations and surveys.
In the deficiency bill which passed tn,
next year the following provision was con
tanned:
For deficiencies for the railroad surveys be
tween the Mississippi river and the racif
Ocean, $4,000.
In 1854 another appropriation was mad'
in the following words:
For continuing the explorations and survey
to ascertain the best route for a railway to tn,
Pacific and for completing the reports OF sur
veys already made, the sum of $4,000.
Under these appropriations five route
were surveyed, explored and reported
upon. The reports contain much valuable
information and show great diligence an,
research. They are contained in thirteer
dOOul tHe size OF the Con
gressionai Record in which each route i
reported upon, and all the peculiarities o
climate, soil, topography. etc, are set forth
When the surveys were completed on tn,
9th of February 1855, Mr. Jefferson Davis
then Secretary of War, transmitted re
port to Congress of these surveys, togethe
with the estimates OF the cost of the vari
Gus routes. The northern route, about tn,
forty seventh parallel. was the first roui,
which was agitsted and discussed, il hav
ing been considered prior TO the Mexicar
war as / before observed, with view o
having a railroad constructed from New
York City to the mouth of the Columbi,
river. II is the first route mentioned il
the report.
After stating in general terms what th,
report contains Mr.. Davis SAYS that the es
timated cost by the engineers was Sill, goo.
600. He then states that there must b
added to that about % per cent on accoun
of additional cost over the construct On o
eastern railroads between St. Paul III,
starting point. and the Rocky Mountains
and that through the mountain regions i
would be required to make an additiopa
allowance OF about 100 per cent. He there
fore concludes that il would cost Si40OO
600 to construct the road without eouin
ment, but with the equipment, rolling
stock, etc it would cost 100000 more
making $3.50, 600 COO.