Arizona republican., 1890-11-26
A NORTH AND SOUTH ROAD.

In another column is published com munication from c. s. Masten in rela- ton to the North and South Railroad question. Our columns are open to any citizen who desires to publish arguments upon any subject of interest to the pub lie, providing the matter is properly pre- sented, even though we disagree with the writer, and we by no means agree with Colonel Masten in this instance. That railway competitor has virtually be- come necessity to the welfare and progress of this valley and indirectly to all Arizona, no one can successfully deny. The subject has been thoroughly investigated and is well understood. People may differ as to method, but the principle involved is almost unani- mously accepted. It is desired to bring the railway system crossing the conti nent to the north of us into competi- ton with the Southern Pacific for the trade of this neighborhood and our citi- zens are determined that this shall be done, and they will not rest until a North and South railroad has been con structed, which will give to the people of Central and Southern Arizoua the benefit of fair competition as we'll as better market for home productions.
 Various plans have been suggested and great deal of labor expended to bring about the desired result and q bill is now before Congress, which if it be- comes law, is believed will induce the construction of North and South road and afford the necessary relief. TIE REPUBLICAN therefore believes, and it has looked into this matter carefully, that it is the duty of every citizen of this valley who is interested in the welfare and progress of the community to labor earnestly and effectively by every legitimate means ut his command for the passage of the bill referred to. No spacious nor technical plea1ings should be listened to And individuals should not wrangle over details and differences as to method but shoulder to shoulder the people should work together and TIE REPUBLICAN will do it's utmost to lend helping hand. The arguments presented by Colonel Masten have all been ventilated before the subject is understood in all it's bearings by our citizens and in our judgment there is but one plan to be pursued at present with any reasonable show of success and that is to work for the passage of the subsidy bill now before Congress.
 The people do not want branch lines to the mountains to be operated in con junction with the Southern Pacific they want and are determinedto haze 8 through road, and they will oppose all measures. however attractively clothed, that will not afford them through northern out let. Pessimistic people can easily pick possible flaws in the proposed legisla- tion and conjure up imaginary bugbears with which to frighten the unin!ormed, but there is nothing in these things. The people are and will be fully pro tected in this matter. Colonel Masten has right to use every legitimate means in his power to defeat measure which he imagines will interfere with his business interests, and it is not our purpose to decry him. The Southern Pacific also has right to prevent com petition by all legitimate means if it can.
 The people, at the same time, have the right, and it is their privilege and duty to work for what they believe to be for their best interests in this matter, and they are set upon securing competi- tive transportation facilities.
 TIE REPUBLICAN believes a north and south through line to be necessity to the proper progress of this Territory, and therefore earnestly urges the pas sage of the bill now before Congress as the best and quickest way to secure re- lief.