Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-08-03
HORACE GREELEY ON THE PACIFIC
RAILROAD THIRTY YEARS AGO.

A glance at the records of the past often
sheds important light upon the policies of
the present. In the clamor for the rigor-
Gus payment of the debts of the trans
continental railroads to the Government,
with the remotest cent of interest added,
we are apt to overlook the fact that in
aiding the construction Of the original
Pacific railway, held to be a commercial
need and postal and military necessity, it
was not considered by the public men and
statesmen of that day an impossibility
that the Government might not forego her
demands for cash reimbursement.
In the Congressional and press debates
of the time, it is found that it was re-
peatedly declared that repayment to the
Government was not vitality essential
factor in the great scheme of aiding
transcontinental line. 1t was then real
lied that, compared with the benefits the
nation must reap and the economy TO be
conserved, the matter of repayment, or in
terest payment, was not Of first import
ance. Some Of the foremost friends of q
transoontinental road, as well as some of
its opponents in Congressional debates,
made bold to declare that the question of
cash reimbursement of the Government
was unworthy serious place in the de-
bate, if there was any truth in the promise
Of Unreasonable benefits forecast for the
United States by reason of the construc-
ton.
An instance of this fact is found in the
expression of Senator Wilson, in the great
debate of 1862, when he declared; 81
would sink $100,00O,0OO to build the road,
and do it most cheerfully and think had
done a great thing for my country to bring
it about. As to the security,
1 would not give the paper it is written
upon for the whole of it. / do not suppose
it is ever to come back in any form, except
in doing on the road the business we need,
and carrying our mails and munitionsof
war" And Mr. Wilson's expression was
the reflection, also, OF that of many fore
most statesmen of the day.
Thirty years on the LIST inst. Horace
Greeley stood in public pulpit in sacra-
mento pleading with all the earnestuess of
his sincere nature for favorable considera-
ton of the proposal TO span the continent
with a railroad. 1t was in the city whence
sprang the men of genius and daring that
made of his hopes reality that the great
journalist made his eloquent appeal, in the
course of which he said:
Suppose we should get into difficulty viii,
FrGnceland England, those great naval powers
Your haiEmllion of popliia.
ton here could not defend yourselves Ii we
should be called upon to defend both the At
lauuC and Pacific side, we should REQUIRE
double the expenditure and double the Hrua-
ment. than If We had quick communication
over the continent. And the matter Of the
armament ana movement OF troops would be
only one element in calculation.
In Utah, where l
have lately been, we have some s 90 troops. The
elite of the United States army, which we sup
port at great expense. We now pay s., 900. 600
per annum, and IN the time too of profound
peace, for the movement of troops and the rnu-
niiions OF war. If We speak Of a railrosd over
the continent, the people exciain. "Oh the ex-
pense, but We never think of the expense Of
these army movements
suppose 1t should cost SEC, 900 900, which do
not believe and suppose we should save In the
one item Of army expenditures 81 600. 0c0-there
would be the interest on the whole sum EStab-
lish good railroad, aud for all militsry pur-
purposes 5000 mea would be as effective as
mail facilities between the old States and Cali
fornia and Oregon-nuch more than the rev
enue they produce.
Subsequent oficial figures showed that
the postal service referred to really cost
Sl,50o,oo0 per annum, and that the cost
Of postal and military supplies movement
was, between 1857 and 1852, $4,000
annually.
Clearly Mr.. Greeley did not seriously
contemplate the return of the advances
the Government might make. Or if-and
he reflected the public sentiment of the
day-return was contemplated, it was only
as remote possibility and did not seri-
ously enter into the calculation of the
benefits of the great scheme. The two
things of all Others prominent in his judg-
ment were the vast benefits to and the
economy by the Government in the con-
struction Of the road, even if it should pay
a cool $4,000, 600 out of the treasury as
bonus for the building Of the line, besides
giving lands on either side. Said Mr..
Greeley:
believe $1,000 coo out Of the treasury, with
a mile OF land each side the road, would build
it. Before the 100000 is expended il will
come back to the Government in duties on the
prOducfs used II y i'll he built in ten years and
the Government will have the cost OF it in its
treasury.
Going on as his prophetic vision opened
the future to his view, Mr.. Greeley declared