Year: 1860

vention being about to re-assemble, it appears
to me favorable occasion to offer a few prac
tical suggestions on the subject, more especially
as understand that in the former meeting of
that body, our delegate found no opportunity Of
delivering his views to an extent at all commen-
surate with the Importance of the subject or his
own Jealous labors in its behalf. Having no op-
portunity of consulting with that gentleman,
cannot say if his ideas correspond with the with
in, though think it probable--neyertheiesss
that posterity may not err in regard to its bene-
factors, deem it necessary to say that am
solely responsible for the opinions herein set
forth.


Il is beyond disprte that an interoceanic rail-
road is a prime necessity of our State-on which
depends her future comfort, development and
glory With railroad to st. Jo California
would Immediately become the entrepot, depot,
and regular pot into which would put that great
Eastern trade which has for so many ages guar
anteed the sovereignty of the world to its pos
SCISSOR. Here might branch out sin fin, but
feel that the Main Line will be as much as can
dispose of in this paper.)


One very important preliminary to the con-
struction of the road-or indeed any roads
the selection of n route though this may be
considered as about settled by the Conventions
suggestions in regard to the Central Route, which
appear to me sanctioned by every national,
tional argument-for though in the
course of time to get possession of the balance
of Mexico, yet until we actually do sol to'con--
struct the great artery of our existence through
a'foreign and hostile country, in. order to pour
our vast and valuable commerce upon the shores
Of Texas, while Cuba ITO which our title is now
more doubttul) holds the poor little gulf so COM
pieteiy at It's mercy, appears to be highly ques-
tionable, not less the attempt to a cut
through the aurora borealis in order to secure
the lumber trade of the North Pole, at least I'M
til we assured that there is no danger of
Johnny Bull raking up some old title for " the
rest Of Oregon" Agreeing, therefore, in the
general conclusion of the Convention, yet | hard
" think-and recommend the doubt to their
particular conside "a tion--that they went far
enough in specially locating the line San.
Francisco is the starting point surely, and from
thence to Stockton is very well but in my
opinon-and- reserying decision on the best
place to cross the mountains-they should have
continued their line direct to Yorsetown (if
IFacticable) and having thus united. the great
commercial and mining centres for one grand
effort, they coull burst across the astonished
Sierras Ikea tcrrent-travel for Humboldt-on
by SaltLake-over South Pass-through Devils
Gate-down Platte-oyer the Black Hils-ferry
the Missouri-and there you are within earshot
of the restless wave whose foaming pillows beat
with maniac fury on the iron battements which
hem them in, (the Atlantic, you understand
making the entire trip from ocean to ocean over
the highway of commerce, and the connecting
bond whose hooks OF steel shall link in staunch
brotherhood or sisterhood the discovered frag-
ments of our great glorious and universal ma
tion-in a tremendous short time


Some objectorS pretend to doubt if the work
would yield profit Now hatter myself that
Iiknow something of matters prolific and other
wise, and have not the least hesitation in as
serting my conviction that for many years, per-
hapS forever, not single train of cars or carts
would arrive at Salt Lake, either from the East
or the West, without finding prophet in it.


Another question considered of some impor-
tance is the amount and manner of raising the
funds necessary for the work. The Convention
recommended the State TO endorse to tue extent
of fifteen millions; but to do this involves much
time and labor, and reduces the question from
one of cash capital to mere political capital at





phenomenon called movement of the people 3"
There are other resources tor instance, we have
endured in this State for, say ten years. curse
Oh about forty thousand Cinnamon, who have
been (besides being generally obnoxious) liable
30 a monthly tax of four dollars and upwards.
whiehat the lowest estimate would amount to
over nineteen million dolars-now at a very
liberal estimate they have divulged to the extent
of 100000 per annum, or $4,000 600 in ALL
leaving the ST., 100000 asked for, lawful and
just debt due the community from this odious
class, and for which they ought to be separately
and collectively bound-and thus the people of
California might reap the full harvest of their
long and patient sulferance of this monster evil.
by making it the foundation stone of their future
prosperity. On the method of its collection
either in cash, labor on the road, or by the shin
ment of delinquents to Cuba, | need not enlarge.


Among minor difficulties frequently raised is
that of the scarcity of fuel along the route but
this | opine may 5e obviated in various ways.
as, by conveying in two inch patent extension
galvanized pipes the water from the hot SPRINGS
on the Truckee and other localities to tho aif.
herent station on the road thus enabling the
cars to take on pure steam instead Of cold wa
ter, as Is generally done-a most notable i'm
provement-or by erecting extensive furnaces in
the timbered regions, SO as to boil voor water
before you start-or failing these, | have no
doubt the buffIlos could be induced with a
good handy to chip in the vicinity of the sta
aons-thus Furnishing fuel in immense piles.


Such are few of the considerations which
present themselves upon this subject. briefly
shadowed forth and freely offered to the atten-
ton of the public and the r. r. c. at its nevt
meeting, as the result of my reflection and OBJ
servatlon in the premises, and as embodyinq
certain practical suggestions which cannot be
overlooked without compromising the success of
the undertaking. | am not ignorant that the
man whose thoughts or labor shall consumrnate
this last step in oar countrys greatness will