|
History Of The Union Pacific Railway BY Henry White Economic studies of the Univ
History Of The Union Pacific Railway BY Henry Kirke White Economic studies of the University of Chicago
129 pages
Hard Cover
Copyright 1895
CONTENTS.
CHAPTERI. Evolution of the Plan -
CHAPTER II. The Chartering Acts
CHAPTER III. The Building and the Cost of the Union Pacific Railroad -
CHAPTER IV. History of the Branch Roads -
CHAPTERV. Internal History of the Union Pacific -
CHAPTER VI. Public Opinion, Legislation, Litigation -
CHAPTER VII. Financial History of the Union Pacific
CHAPTER VIII. Proposals for Settlement, Present Status -
APPENDIX I. Acts Chartering the Union Pacific Railway -
APPENDIX II. Tables -
INDEX
CHAPTER I.
EVOLUTION OF THE PLAN.
The first railway to the Pacific claimed the attention of the country on two distinct bases-as an element in our political history, and as a commercial enterprise. In the early sixties the leading argument in favor of building it was the necessity of strengthening in their allegiance to the Union the states on the Pacific coast. Since the completion of the road in 1869 the commercial importance has been the obvious one.
It was, moreover, the commercial features of the scheme, and only in a minor way the political ones, that inspired the early agitation for a road. In this agitation, which stretches far back of the Civil War, it is interesting to trace the evolution of the plan for connecting the two oceans by rail, and to see how the road was considered at first desirable, then important, and at last necessary.
The spirit of unrest which led to the discovery of new lands and new routes to old ones during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries was slow to die out. The commercial spirit of Europe which inspired the quest for a new sea route to India did not subside with the finding of an intervening continent and the subfailure to find a Northwest Passage. If there was no waterway, a land route was demanded. Explorers had not been slow to trace the great natural waterway leading into the heart of the continent furnished by the Great Lakes, but advances west of Lake Superior were inconsiderable. Thus far the French had led ; here they stopped.
The completion of the task was reserved for Anglo-Saxon genius. The first attempt to find a way across the continent westward from the lakes was made in 1763 by Captain Jonathan Carver,' of the British provincial army, but this was prompted rather by the spirit of the explorer than by the commercial spirit. During the early years of this century, however, there was a genuine attempt toward opening a road-the Lewis and Clarke expedition.' This was one of President Jefferson's plans, and he drafted with his own hand the instructions for its leaders.
Roadmaking began a new era when, in 1829, Stephenson made the locomotive a success. The next year saw the introducof the railway into America, and two years later there was published an article proposing a railway to the Pacific.3 The idea spread rapidly, and in 1836 there was held the first public meeting to consider the project.' From 1842 on, John C. Fredid much valuable work in preparing the public mind for the future Pacific railway by the accounts which he published of his extensive travels in the western country, thus correcting many popular misconceptions concerning that region.
Asa Whitney was, between 1840 and 1850, the most zealous, efficient, and important advocate of the Pacific railway project.
All pictures are of the actual item. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
Shipping charges
Postage rates quoted are for shipments to the US only. Ebay Global shipping charges are shown. These items are shipped to Kentucky and then ebay ships them to you. Ebay collects the shipping and customs / import fees. For direct postage rates to these countries, send me an email. Shipping to Canada and other countries varies by weight.
Payment options
Payment must be received within 10 days. Paypal is accepted.
Terms and conditions
All sales are final. Returns accepted if item is not as described. Contact us first. No warranty is stated or implied. Please e-mail us with any questions before bidding.
Thanks for looking at our items.
| 
