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maintenance and running expense on the route will all be less than along the thirty-fifth parallel.

11. I have alluded to the military and political importance of this line, which is very great, while that of the thirty-fifth parallel is insignificant. Many of these advantages of a road on the thirty-second parallel are obvious; among them domestic influences are not to be overlooked. But on a nation's frontier the means of concentrating and maintaining force is in itself a silent, ever-operative power, saving present and preventing future expense. Its political influence is even more potent, genial and beneficent-a good civilizer, drawing and binding people together by the forces of propinquity, interest and social life. important do I consider these influences that were it my duty to choose for the nation, I would rather pay for the construction of a railroad by the border line than to have the road two hundred miles north of it on the thirty-fifth parallel for nothing. I favor national subsidies for the construction of railroads through unimproved regions warranting them, both on the ground of wise proprietorship, to promote the improvement of otherwise useless lands, and create taxable industry and property; but I cannot see how any Senator or Representative in Congress, understanding the subject, and having a grain of statesmanship in his head, could vote aid to build the line by the thirty-fifth parallel until the construction of one along the thirty-second had been secured beyond a peradventure.

"You see, moreover, in my judgment, were our route to be on the thirty-fifth parallel, a rival on the thirty-second would be only a question of time and means. The interests demanding it already exist; whereas if we take the latter route, its grandeur and success will defy competition. It will do a very large through business from San Francisco and the Orient, and all the valuable carrying south of Utah and west of the Rio Grande.

"In closing this letter to you, I cannot help saying that the builders of the Southern Overland through line are undertaking a work which, well performed, should and will transmit their names to posterity with deserved and lasting honor."

The San Diego and Gila Company has received no State aid, no grants of national land, no county loans in the shape of bonds; the private means of a few citizens have enabled it to do something toward the necessary survey of routes. The people of this county would appear to have a just claim to the same favors from the Government that have been extended to the enterprises of other sections of the State.

It is well understood that the Kansas and San Francisco Company will break ground on the Colorado River, near Fort Mohave, early in this Spring. In such case, the favorable moment so long and patiently looked for will have arrived for the exercise of all our energies and co-operation to carry out the end of the charter, which will be as well accomplished by connecting our route with the main trunk at San Gorgonio Pass as by the more direct course to the Gila River. The distance from Fort Yuma to the Bay of San Diego is about three hundred miles-making a circuit by San Gorgonio Pass-according to Professor Blake; and if the doubt could be entertained of the right of the company to vary from the direct route, it would be within the power of the Legislature, it is believed, so to modify the charter.

Respectfully submitted.

BENJAMIN HAYES,
Member of the Assembly from San Diego.

STATIONS.

TABLE OF DISTANCES

Of the Proposed Route of Railroad from San Diego to Gila River.

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LOCALITIES.

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MAJORITY REPORT

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON CORPORATIONS

IN RELATION TO

FARES AND FREIGHTS ON RAILROADS.

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