Year: 1878

by the senate railroad committee to-


day. By private dispatch we learn


that it was adopted by vote of SIX
to five, with understanding on part
of senators that they are not commit
ted to support it in the senate in its
present form-ED.] The company
is required within nine months to
commence at the mouth of Snake
river and build eastwardly on the
south side of Columbia river twenty
five miles of road during the first
year, and at least forty miles annu-
ally afterwards. They must also
within one year from enactment of
the bill commence work at the lower
Cascades Of the Columbia, and with
in one year thereafter complete and
equip the road around that portage,
and within the following year must
complete the railway around the
Cascades at the Dalles on the south
of the river. The line from Umatilla
to Portland, as we'll as the road from
Portland to Kalams, must be built
on the south side of the Columbia.
The company are required to con-
struct one hundred miles each year,
inclusive of the Pacific coast opera
tions above indicated. In the use OF
said portage roads, the Northern Pa.
ciic company shall not make any
discrimination in regard to freights
or passengers, and shall receive from
and deliver to all boats, persons or
companies at the time engaged in
navigation Of the Columbia river oil
freights and passengers on equal
terms. without discrimination. It is
further provided that these terms
shall in all respects be reasonable
and just, and the rights of all per-
sons under this act may be enforced
by judicial proceedings in any court
of osmpetent jurisdiction The bill
also generally reserves the power
for congress to provide by law
against unjust discrimination and
excessive charges on any part or the
whole road.


The bill surrenders to the govern
ment about 1000, 900 acres of land
heretofore reserved for the abandon
ed branch across the Cascade noun
talns. and provides for a grant of
precisely the same number of acres
to the Portland, Salt Lake and South
Pass Railroad Company, on condi-
ton that it shall commence work at
Umatilla within six mouths, build
twenty-five miles the first year and
at least forty miles annually there
after, and complete the whole road
within five years from the enactment
of the bill. In case, however, the
Northern Pacific Company fails to
comply with the conditions prescrib-
ed regarding the commencement
and prosecution of work at the Cas-
cades, the whole land grant from
Portland to Umatilla is to be trans
ferred to the Salt Lake company,
which shall thereupon construct 33
miles the first year and 25 miles an
nually afterwards toward Umatilla.
This part of the line is in any event
to be common road for the use of
both companies. The provisions re-
garding protection of the settlers
rights are the same as those report
ed by the subcommittee last week;
all even numbered sections to be
sold as at present for two dollars
and half per acre to pre-emption
settlers, but homestead. settlers,
either present or prospective, may
take one hundred and sixty instead
of eighty acres, to which they are
now limited within the railroad
grant. All lands in odd numbered
sections are to be sold by the govern
ment to actual pre-emption settlers
at one dollar and a quarter per acre
until the adjacent five miles section
of the road is completed and accep-
ted, whereupon the government is
to pay to the company the proceeds
of lands already sold, and also to
give il patents for such lands as
have not been sold, or to which pre-
emption rights have not already
attached. In the latter case settlers
must be allowed to perfect their IT,
ties and obtain their lands at gov


ernment price. It is stated that the


bill was modified so as to allow