Year: 1876

ward far up into the British Dominions and
the valleys of the Saskatchewan:


Four hundred miles westward from BIS
marck, into and along the valley OF the 1el-
lowstone, which under favorable auspices
might be completed in about two years, Will
bring the Northern Pacific within about two
hundred miles of the three forks or head of
the Missouri River. In one year more, under
similar circumstances, it should reach that
point or even beyond.


If the views of the gentlemen who have for
wears labored in behalf of the construction OF
this railroad, and of those of the officers OF
the Government who have, so far as they
could, sustained the enterprise, are sound,
the extension of the line to such point IN
the Yellowstone Valley as will secure to it
the bulk of the trade and travel OF Montana,
will ensure its further extension, not merely
into but through the Territory. The tide OF
travel, of tourists alone, who will visit this
Territory to soc its Yellowstone wonders, and
its many other charms, will constitute a
material element of profit, not merely to the
railroad company but to the people of Mon
tana; but the great point, for Montana, Is that
the completion of main line railroad to the
Territory, allowing easy access IN few days
to enterprising men and capitalists, will bring
them here, when they can see for themselves
And this, in my opinion, will lead to the in
auguration of enterprises which cannot now
be seriously entertained. Such is the expert
ence elsewhere; why should in not be here !?


Ny remarks, as you perceive, go chiefly to
show the necessity and advisabillty OF an ex-
tension of our railroad into your Territory
They are also intended to show my undimin-
ished confidence in the future, both of this
Territory and the railroad. 1t is for General
Stark, Vice-President of the Northern Pacific
Railroad, to show you how this work may be
speedily accomplished by cooperative efforts
on the part of the people of Montana and the
Railroad Company. Although this is his first
visit to Montana, he has not been slow to
appreciate its commanding position and i'm
portance.


General Stark is gentleman who has had
. very large experience in the successful man
agenent of eastern railroads, especially
throughout New England, and commend
him to your most rliondly consideration.


Gen. Stark followed MIR. Roberts in an
easy, off-hand manner and readiness of
speech. Addressing the Chair, the gentle
men of the Legislature, and the large mum.
Der of citizens crowding forward to catch his
words, he substantially SAID:


GEN. sTAEK's ADDRESS.


l have to thank you for the extremely cor.
dial reception and the personal kindness we
have experienced at your hands, rs well as
for this public opportunity TO bring before
the Legislature and the people of this Terri
tory the situation Of the reorganized Northern
Pacific Railroad Company, and its plans for
recommending construction. In this, my
first visit to your Territory, l am impressed
beyond my expectations with the extent and
variety of your resources. One has to see,
in order to believe, that III this northern re-
gion, between the 10Th and 47th parallels,
cattle graize upon the nils through the win
ter, attaining excellent beef condition with
out other food, and that dust is /; more fire.
quent annoyance to the traveller than snow.
But to an eastern man, accustomed to the
modern cenveniences of travel, the four hun
dred mile ride from the railroad to this place
in sleigh and coach, and that variety Of
wheeled conveyance denominated a ''jerky."
seems so formidable, that he wonders at its
ever being undertaken, except under circum-
atances Of emergency, and enables him to ap-
precate most sensibly your desire for rail-
road of your own.


NV colleague, Col. Roberts, has in preced-
ing me gone 50 fully over the general subject
of the situation Of your Territory and its rail
road wants, that it only remains for me to
present the situation OF our company, and
such explanations as will make more clearly
understood our plans and proposals already
presented in the memorial to the Legislature.
And as this may be the only opportunity to
s'Committee of the Whole" will thank any
person present to make inquiries as they may
occur to him, and l shall be pleased to an
swer to the best of my ability.


The unfortunate embarrassments of the
n Northern Pacific road attending and conse-
ouent upon the failure of Jay Cooke s. Co.,
culminated last summer, IN an effort on the
part OF the bondholding creditors to fore
close their mortgage upon the franchise and
road and lands and other property of the
Company. This effort was success, and by
DEGREES of court, supplemented by agree
ments between all parties III interest, the fran
chise and property were put up at public sale,
and purchased in the interest of the bond
holders They thus became themselves the
corporation, and start with fresh life, without
The condition of the re-or-
ganized company has been fully stated to you
elsewhere It has $50 miles of first-class
road in excellent repair and thoroughly
equipped, running at some profit, and paying
ali bills. Its men are paid promptly On the
first of every month, and having no interest
to meet, its present is secure. 1t is the future,
the extension of the road to and from your
Territory, and ultimately through to the Pa
cific. that now engrosses the attention Of its
managers


The question of an early extension from
Bismarck to the Yellowstone river has been
agitated But of itself it is not enough. The
first point to be gained is to get within con-
trolling reach OF the business Of Montana.
This business, even in its present undevelop-
ed state, is large. According to statistics
prepared by committee of yoar citizens,