22 
APPLICATION OF THE CASH SYSTEM 
by military engineers, to the furtherance of rapid extension, and not for the purposes of private 
border speculations by contractors. 
Iron rails and equipment should be deposited, by the water transportation of the Missouri 
river, at some point best favoring the most direct approach to the main Platte valley by light 
grading. This point should be selected by government engineers during preliminary arrange¬ 
ments ; and the sources of supply of building and working materials should then be retained, 
from location of private parties, for the use of the road. 
The first section of five hundred (500) miles should be placed under contract requiring its com¬ 
pletion within three (3) years from date. 
The expense of grading the road will be merely nominal, and is not sufficient security for 
advances by government. To require a very large deposit in money, might embarrass the 
operations of the active parties (the real railroad builders and mechanics) who should be called 
upon to construct this work by contract. 
From the favorable nature of the surface passed over, iron rails are necessary to the purposes 
of construction at the outset. As of high cost, and not liable to depreciation in value below a 
certain estimate, railroad iron should he regarded as equivalent to a deposit in bullion, and be 
accepted in lieu of moneyed security, or security by grading. 
A laid superstructure, capable of sustaining the tread of a first-class locomotive engine at a 
speed of twenty (20) miles per hour, should be provided with simple working equipment, turn¬ 
outs, and watering stations, before any payment is made to contractors. 
From the point on Missouri river to Fort Kearney, near Big Island of the Platte, the road 
might properly consist of the common T-rail, of 60 pounds per lineal yard, spiked to a wooden 
cross-tie, and extended over a ditched and drained road-bed of the clear gravel of the section. 
From this point of intersection of all eastern lines, (see sketch,) near Big island, a different 
class of structure might be attempted, at the option of the engineer. Just beyond this point, 
the great untimbered section, reaching toward the Rocky mountains, would be entered by the line. 
Government might make payments of $10,000 per mile for the first and for each succeeding 
one hundred (100) miles of road completed, if expedited to the satisfaction of the directing engi¬ 
neers. On reaching the western terminus of the first section of five hundred (500) miles, gov¬ 
ernment to pay to private parties such sum as shall have been agreed upon by a first contract, 
based on proposals issued, and thereon concluded with responsible bidders; government to 
reserve the right of cancelling the contract and taking possession of the road during progress 
of the work, upon equitable grounds, or upon failure of contractor to perform obligations. 
Such a road sold at public auction would always guaranty first outlay. When completed 
(the first section) it would become the outlet and carrying line for the building of a Pacific 
railroad over any central route. 
It would, therefore, be readily accepted by private parties in lieu of further cash payments 
(beyond the first $10,000) by government. But, from its important position, this road should 
continue to be within the general control of legislation. 
As extended over the route of emigration, the building party could afford to keep up, beyond 
mere working supply and material trains, a medium equipment for common service; and govern¬ 
ment would not be called upon as a donating power to bestow immense land-grants on specu¬ 
lating individuals, to guard them against loss by running trains and depreciation of way over 
a non-paying route. 
Government could make all payments by issuing scrip in applicable sums. Certificates to 
bear interest, and be payable within a limited number of years. 
Public lands sold to actual settlers along the line would, in the meantime, take up all scrip 
issued by government. The sale of these lands should not become a governmental speculation. 
They should be furnished to the pioneer at the very lowest rates, and the settlement of the 
route traversed be promoted by every practicable method. 
