Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1836-04-22
From the Washington Globe.
SURPLUS REVEN E-RAtLROADS
Mr.. GBUNDY'S BILL.

than the propositlon'to coRtract for the
freedom Of the raj roads for all Govern
meIA purposes. ln practical point oI
view, thefolowing advantages are to be
anticipated:
|. twill give conveyance to the mails
without charge, or the routes where it is
heaviest and most expensive, enabling
the Government to reduce the rates OF
postage, or largely to increase mail ta-
cililies to the iateriOr oEthe country,
2. The mails on these routes will be
conveyed more (requeRtly, more rapidly,
and more safely. .r
3. 1t will incidentally dltniuish he
expenses attending the means Of defence
10 pcace and in war,
by enabling the Government rapidly
to concentrate the public force, it is unHe
cessary tokeep up so great standing ar
my as might otherwise be required. With
rail roads at the service Of the Govern =
meat aIeng the whole sea board, and en
the principal routes of the interior cerH =
munication, the defective power Of our
present army would be more than dou-
bled.
BY affordiug on those routes free trans
.portaton for officers, men, stores, and 9th
er pnbIic property, 1t would lessen the ex
penses of the Government ia tiMe Of
peace, and obviate one .! the heaviest
items Of charge in time Of war, thereby
Distinguishing the necessity Of taxation
OF Ioaus, in a degree proportioned to the
perils and Efforts Of The cOuntry.
Ii will intellectually Y increase the power
of the country TO defend itsett in Eases Of
Iavasion or insurrection. City can rush
to the defence OF city ia II few hours, and
| States to the defence of States ia u few
days. Before hostile feet could ap
proach and land it's forces near one Of our
great maratime cities, the whole power
of several her sisters would be at hand
TO defend hor, Before an attack could
be planned and executed, the interor
country would send down its thousands
aud tens ofthousands by every rail road.
Forts are useful in certain positions, but
the surest defence of the country is an in
viucbIe array OF armed men. 10 aviod
Invasion, we have but 10 have the means
Of concentrating at every important point
for defence, a more formidable force
than our enemy can bring TO the us
sault.
As auxiliary to the public defence, there
fore, this project deserves The most favor
able consideration.
5. All the benefit of free roals will be
secured to the Government, at the cheap
est possible rate, aud without touching
any of those constitutional questions, in
VOWED ia u SYSTEM OF iHternal Improve
menls by the genera; Government. Ii
Will be II mere matter Of contract The
original power of making contracts for
the General Government Is vested in Con
gtess This toiy has delegated to the
heads of departments, the power TO make
contracts for limited periods, aud has gen
orally prohibited advances Of money TN
vii the articles be delivered, oT Tho service
performed But that body can make, Or
authorize 10 10 made, unlimited contracts
and pay tho whole consideration in ad
vance Whether they will do so, is u
question OF expectancy only,
II is not proposed to advance money to
any company Ior the purpose OF enabling
them 10 make atoad The money il to be
paid only when the road is comp leted,
and the pubic service has Commence
Hponit. Sections Of road, however,
may be contracted for, and The considera
ton paid separately, Thus, The road
from Washington to Baltimore, is n part
or branch Of the Baltimore and Ohio ralI
rJad. The use of that section nay be
immediately contracted for and the con
sideration paid; so OF the section from
BtItimoretO Frederick. &c. Nor does
il affect the principle il the company u
vow that their purpose is TO inish other
sections o(lhe rod with the (uHds so o. 0
cured. The Government does ROt pay
them for tiGf purpose, but 10 obtain the
free use OF the sections already made
1t matters not whether the company
make other sections or other roads with
those funds. Tho Government will pay
The considerations (or The use OF those 9th
or sections or other roads, on'y when they
may be completed.
Finally. This project, Il adopted, will
put to rest forever, all questions as to The
power of Congress to make roads within
the States. by receiving all the benefits
cC HE power wilhout exercising or usurp
ing It. The Government will have
throughout the country, for its own pur
poses, free rail roads, at aH expense i'm
measurably shor, Of the cost Of making
them, without assuming any jurisdiction
over the soil, without affecting any State
rights without exerci$inga power in the
least doubtful. Even in case the owners
of ths road fail 20 perform the contract
service, it is no, proposed to give to tho
Government any power TO keep the road
| in OnpFAtlnn nr In nvareigo apu ulhoritv