Year: 1868




building a railroad, connecting Walla Walla
with the landing on the Columbia river, was
thoroughly discussed through the columns
of the STATESMAN, and the feasibility of the
enterprise clearly established. The articles,
as published, attracted very general atten>
tion, and practical men did not hesitate to
declare that the railroad ought to be built,
and that there was sufficient wealth in the
Valley to defray the cost Of construction,
without one dollar of assistance from abroad.
This possibly is an over sanguine view, but
we are of those who believe that it is posi-
BILE for our citizens to build and equip the
road 1t so happens, however, that we are
not altogether dependent on our own reA
sources. The U. S. n Company, looking to
the interest of their line, offer to subscribe
$4,000 toward building the road. An
experienced engineer, at our request, has
made calculation as to the cost of construc-
tion, and reports that a railroad between
Walla Walla and Wallula can be construc-
ted at cost not to exceed S500000. The
iron and rolling stock for the road will cost
from 81 900 to IS, 900 per mie-Or say S24O,- :
900, leaving the balance to be expended in
the purchase of ties, grading &c. There is
now in San Francisco some twenty miles of
iron and rolling stock, he whole of which
can be bought for S125,0O0. The road will
require 2, 200 ''ties" to the mile, or about
rs, 900 in all, which with the timber for the
bridges, it is estimated will cost $50, 900.
With the subscription of the o. S. N. Com
pany, there will still remain to be raised the
sum of 100000. To raise this sum we
propose that the county guarantee the pay.
ment of the interest on railroad bonds to the
amount of 100000. This is the plan that
has been practiced in very many of the
Eastern States, and in this way towns and
counties have been enabled to obtain rail-
road connection that otherwise must have re-
mained isolated. The enhanced value OF
real estate, and the increased amount of tax
able property that would come into the Valley
with the laying of the first rail of the pro-
posed road, would vastly more than pay the
interest on the bonds Instead of an in,
creased rate of taxation, the wealth that
would flow into the Valley would enable US
very materially to reduce the present rate of
taxation. Thus much by way of quieting
the fears of those who are likely to be fright
ened by the bugaboo of high taxes. The
history of the North Missouri Railroad is a
case in point. The construction of this rail,
road increased the value of land along its line
fire times-that is, farms that were worth
s 900 previous to building the road, were
valued at $4,000 after its construction. A
county in Missouri that previous to the
building of railroad, showed an assessment
roll of 5000, 900, in less tbae two years had
tax list of S3,000,OO0 The city of Evans
vile, Indiana, subscribed 100000 toward
building a railroad, and it was not necessary
to increase the rate of taxation to pay the
interest on that amount, such was the increase
in taxable values. Other instances might be
cited, but sufficient Sas here been shown to
convince the most skeptical that a subscrip-
ton or guarantee on the part of the county
would be a good investment, and one that
would tend to lessen rather than increase the
burdens that now rest upon taxpayers. 1t
is possible that the County Commissioners
are without authority to create loan of the
character here indicated Should they,
however, determine to act in the premises,
there will be no difficulty in obtaining from
the Legislature an endorsement of their ac-
ton. Presuming then that 100000 can
be raised by county loan, there would only
remain 500, 900 to be subscribed by private
citizens. This amount, with proper effort,
can be raised inside of 4S hours, aud thus
secure the building of the road We know
of several thrifty farmers who stand prepared
to subscribe 81 900 each toward the capital
stock, and we hear Of single merchant who
proposes to invest Sl0,0 900. The public mind
is ready for the enterprise, and with view
to getting the work under way, we suggest
that meeting be held at the Court House,
and citizens from all parts of the county n>
vited to turn out and express their views as
to the feasibility of building railroad. We
have every confidence that the response will
be favorable, and that the people by unan-
imous voice will declare that the railroad
must be built!


NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILRoAD.-From
recent advices from Washington, we under
stand that considerable amount of influence,
representing a large capital, will urge upon
Congress the early passage of the bill in-