Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-01-07
CONGRESSIONAL.


the bill authorising the construction of lateral
branch of the Baltimore and Ohio rail road to the
city of Washington came up for consideration,
when
MIR. SEMMEs submitted the following amend
ment:
Sec. l. And be it enacted, That the said road
shall be located over such ground, and have such
course and direction, as engineers authorised
and appointed by the government shall deter
mine and advise.
Sec. 9. And 0e it enacted, That the said
company shall not make any higher charges for
tolls on transportation on any part of the road to
be constructed between Baltimore and the Dis
trict of Columbia, than are allowed by law for
tolls and transportation from west to east, on the
Baltimore and Ohio rail road, except as author
lied BY the second section of this act.
Sec. 5. And be it enacted, That unless the
said road between Baltimore and the District of
Columbia, is commenced within one year from
the passage of this act, and finished within three
wears thereafter, this act and all the privileges
which it confers on the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
Road Company shall cease, and be entirely void
and Of no effect.
Mr. SrMMEs then rose and said, it became
his duty, as one of the representatives of Mary
land, TO make few remarks in support of the "a
mendment which he had offered. Not antici-
pating that the bill would be called up to-day, he
regretted that he had not had time for the reiec-
ton which would enable him to do that Justice to
the subject which its great importance demands.
lie was great national work; one which is to at
feet the interest of the whole United States, and
therefore, it becomes the duty of Congress, whilst
they retain the power in their own hands, to be-
stow on 1t that consideration which is necessary
to protect and promote the interest of the whole
country. This, i'll common cases, might be left
to the corporation which has charge OF the under
taking, because their private and individual JIM
terest is. generally speaking. the surest guaran-
tee of their fidelity; but the case now under con-
sideration, is an exception 10 this general iule.
The work i'll question IS of great national impor
lance, and promises to be one of the most profta-
Bile investments of money thar can be made any
where I'd this country, whilst many rich and pow
erful persons, with great resources, and having
opposite and conflicting interests are engaged in
it, and have control OF the corporation which is to
construct the road. Under these circumstances,
it becomes the duty o! Congress, as the guardi-
ans of public welfare, to give such direction to
the undertaking as will contribute most to the
public good. The amendment he had offered.
embraces three distinct propositions. The first
is, that the road Oe made in such manner, and
over such ground, and IN such course or direction,
as engineers appointed by the Government of
the United States shall advise and direct. To
this proposition, he presumed there could be no
objection, because the United States engineers
have been largely empoyed in locating the great
work of the Baltimore and Ohio rail road, and,
therefore, may safely be trusted with the lOca-
ton of this lateral pranch, whilst the peculiar cir
cumstances Of The case under consideration, rem
dered suen feature indspensably necessary.
The tribunal which Is 70 decide the location
of this road, ought to be placed above the reach
ut local lecilng or private interest; because, as
he had before said. there are coa;iic ing or even
opposing interests engaged in this under taking.
For example said said Mr. S., III the road pro-
posed to be made, there three different routes
spoken of and each has powerful supporters in
the individuals whose local interests are to be
effected. The first of these routes the one which
is supposed TO be the most direct. is to cross the
Patapsco river at Elkridse landing, near Smiths
bridge. The Second is to crosss the Patapsco
at the Patterson yiaduct; and the third is 10 pass
by EllicOtt's mills. Which of these routes ought
to be preferred he was unable to say; but let the
United States Engineers decide. The persons
most interested in each particular route, will en-
deavor to have that selected winch will be most
conducive to their own particular interest; and we
have no security that the route will be selected
which will most contribute to the public good, un-
less we take measures which will secure that eff
feet. Then when it comes to the District end of
the road, the same difficulties occur Whether
it is to enter Georgetown or Washington, or at
what point of either city it will enter, is mat
ter Of doubt and equal soiicitude. There are
several practical routes, all of which have their
advocates; and at present is uncertain whether
the read will dyerge westwardly and pass thrs'
Anne Arundel and Montgon cry to Georgetown,
or proceed directly to Washington City; but of
one thing he was certain, that each interest will
endeayor 10 have that route selected, which will
promote its own particular views. Such said Mr.
S. is human nature; we may talk as much as we
please about patriotism and dis interested devo-
ton to the interests of the whole community; but
self interest is the great moving principle which
governs mankind, and few men are able to resist
its impulses. He confessed that he did not en-.
tirey disclaim this feeling; but he was anxious
that the route should be selected, which would
best tend to promote the common good. One of