80 
that all that is gained by meredional convergence over any more 
southern route, must be credited to the northern road. Now it 
turns out that this convergence amounts to full 300 miles be¬ 
tween the central and northern routes, making the latter so 
much shorter than the former. This difference amounts to 
twenty per centum of the length of the road, an item of itself 
sufficient to settle the whole question, did not other considera¬ 
tions arise. . . . It is difficult to convince persons, unac¬ 
quainted with the country and the causes affecting meteorological 
conditions on the two routes, of the fact that there is less 
liability to obstructions from snow on the Northern than on the 
Central route; yet such is the fact, and I shall endeavor to 
assign some of the reasons therefor, which will be readily under¬ 
stood by every one present. It is known to all that altitude 
diminishes temperature, or, in common language, increases cold 
and the amount of snow-fall, other conditions being equal. 
Now, by reference to the table of altitudes upon the central 
route, one cause at least of the low winter temperature and 
heavy snow-fall on that route will be apparent. The distance 
from Omaha to Sacramento is 1774 miles. The average altitude 
of 1120 miles of this distance is 5230 feet, while [the lowest 
point in that distance is elevated 3920 feet above the sea level. 
There are on this route 1100 miles having an actual altitude of 
over 4000 feet, 620 miles over 5000 feet, 350 miles over 6000 
feet, and 110 miles over 7000 feet. By this it will be seen that 
the average elevation of the country over which this route 
passes is very great, indicating a low winter temperature and 
heavy snow-fall. Experience proves this to be true, and to such 
an extent that it is yet doubtful whether the line of road ex-* 
tending through this region can be operated successfully for 
several months in the year. Other causes besides altitudes 
operate to increase the snow-fall upon the Sierra Nevada which 
combine to make them what the Spanish name imparts — very 
snowy mountains. By reference to a topographical map of 
North America, it will be seen that the general altitude of the 
continent diminishes as the latitude increases. This not only 
gives the northern route low T er summit levels in passing northern 
ranges, but also very much lower intervening districts of 
country. It has been ascertained by actual measurement that 
the great plain of the Columbia over which the northern road 
must pass,, lies at an elevation of from one to two thousand feet 
