The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-20

Is retained by the government OF New Grenada the right
TO travel on the roads is transferred to and The condi
tons upon which 10 travel are to be the as
the government of New Grenada shall impose upon her
own citizens. and the tolls for freight passengers, and
merchandise TO be the for citizens the
government OF New Grenada shall impose upon her
own citizens, and no more. 1t would seem from these
facts that this government have nothing 10 do with the
terms and conditions upon which that road should be
made; that II has nothing to do with the terms and
dluons upon which passengers and freight shall be trans
ierred upoa it.
1t would seem by that charter which is submitted to
the Senate-as apprehend 1t will appear from exani-
naon-tha these individuals have secured the rig h Of
making road across that ishmus-the exclusive right
and that the government OF New Grenada retains no
right to to anybody else, to authorize this gov
eminent to make il. II there is any monopoly, there
fore, the monopoly is already invested in Messrs Aspn-
wall, Stephens, and Chauncey IL there is any monop
oily that monopoly is granted by the government of New
Grenada, who alone had the power to grant it, If il be
monopoly 1t is monopoly already possessed by ndydn-
ais and we cannot restrain IT, They already possess all the
privileges of the charter and prepared go and
make the road but they come forward and say TO US,
:" this is a monopoly propose TO release that
nopoly so far concerned. If you afraid we
shall charge you too much will make contract
with you as to the price which will charge for the
of your treghts and passengers" They
offer 10 the monopoly by offering to make con-
tract They propose that the Secretary of the Navy
should have the power TO contract with them for
not exceed certain amount. Ii the of 1895, 900
year is too much, for to investigate that and
reduce it. was therefore somewhat surprised to hear
my colleague assume that we were to pay So 900 600
to carry mails troops, our munitions OF war;
naval Stores army supplies, all public agents of the
United States, and all public property at such rate
shall be agreed upon, which the bill says shall not ex
coed $2s5,OO0 per If this is too much, in the
opinion OF the Secretary, he may put ower or If the
Senate think it too much. can change the sum here
Again: il has been assumed that the contract must be
made out for twenty years, whereas the bill proposes
that the term shall not erceed twenty years. and it is DIS
with the Secretary whether to conclude the
contract for twenty tteen ten five years. or for
years. and apprehend that is fairly before for
sdeation, that may decide whether the proposed
the limit beyond which the Secretary not to co. is too
high if so, reduce it and that may decide
whether the term for which the Secretary may contract
long, if make fifteen, twelve, or ten years,
or make such limitation as we shall deem proper, al
though it would be question whether II would be for
our interest to contract for short period or long one.
1t is evident that the amount OF transportation will IN
every year. 1t IS by means unreasonable to
suppose that the amount OF transportation across the
isthmus will be ve ten, or even twenty times as much
as IT now very short time alter the road shall be es
tabllshed. IT, then, make the contract for twenty
years, may be that shall secure amount
of transportation fifteen twenty years hence, at rate
far below what should then be required to pay under
contract But this is subject Tor discussion,
and upon which | am not prepared to express any
opinion of my My only object is 10 mention the
fact that the price is not fixed but is left tor the decision
that the term fixed but is also left for the decision
OF the Secretary of the Navy and Congress.
San NO power 70 e put ON e h
hold the privilege, nor can we take the monopoly from
them: the monopoly is already invested SO that is be-
You'd power to take it away and it is beyond the
power of New Grenada to take ii away. If it be- then
an odous monopoly that seems to be reason why we
should accept their proposition to remove the monopoly
from us and let us in upon reasonable terms.
But, sir do not believe it will be found so odious
for the reason that our American citizens and
American commerce are to be on an equality with the
citizens and commerce of New Grenada | apprehend
that that government would be cautious as to giving
her own citizens, to foreigners to whom
they could only look to carry out their own plans and
interests.
1t seems to me that it is hardly right to PREJUDICE the
questiono decide upon before have read the
tract, or know what are the facts OF the case merely
ton while the charter and other documents connected
with it being printed in order that may be pre-
pared to take up the matter more definitely.
MIR. FOOTE. have no desire TO occupy the atten-
ton of the Senate, for minute or two as the
body has evidently grown less restless under the
debate But the senator from Illinois Mr. DouGLAs has
evidently overlooked important part OF the bill, else he
could not have contended he has just done, that the
Secretary of the Navy is allowed by the BILL ii stands
present. the least discretion as to the amount to be
paid this company. Is he not "dreced'yes sir, d.
rected-to contract with this company upon certain
ems' Is he not authorized and directed TO make con-
tract with them, and TO allow them any amount which
they may demand less than three ourths of the amount
which have agreed to pay for the transportation OF the
mai! batween New York and Liverpool?
Mr.. DOUGLAS said he intended to have moved to
strike out the word Corrected"
Mr.. FOOTE. Certainly, if that word be retained, the
effect of its retention will be to throw the government
into the hands of this company who will be interested in
charging the maximum amount allowed. If this com
pany be not wholly different from any other company OF
The kind that ever heard of, they will be TO demand
rs much may authorize the Secretary to give them
in which event, it is most true, so srkngly shown
On yesterday by the Senator from illinois, Mr. BREEsE,
will be compelled pay in the of 30 years. sx
Millions OF dollars for the transportation by steam, OF na
val and army supplies including troops munitions of
war; army naval, and public stores, the mails OF the Unit
led States" &c, &c. along this contemplated railway
though It's construction according to the highest estimate
made of the expense likely to be attendant thereupon
will not cost this company than some two million
three hundred thousand dollars. Thus would this com
pany be enabled TO pocket near four millions clear OF
government money; retaining besides, the privilege OF
charging precisely as much as they may choose to de-
nand of all who may have occasion to travel upon their
railway or transport goods along it, for ninety years
10 Gomez being only prohibited from rating our citizens
onerous than the citizens of New Grenada who, in
Ill probability, will have but little occasion to the rail-
way at all may be persuaded, in ingenious man
ner to submit to the most grevous imposition in order to
enhance the profits of this favorte company. do not
wish to be at all dsespectu to all any OF the respect
able gentlemen who have thought proper TO associate
themselves for the execution of this grand enterprise
have especial regard for OF this company, who is
distinguished not less by his important contributions
% national literature, than he is said to be by
his noble qualities member OF society, but
EEL bound to declare that this bill, in its present
form, strikes to be the most extraordinary not to
say the most enormous proposition. which the his
ory of modern legislation has afforded for the accumu
alton OF countless millions, by the summary and com
Dendous process OF congressional enactment, urged
upon by the persuasive rhetoric of overexced advo-
,ates 1t does that distinguished gentlemen
nave been strangely captvated by the magnhcence Of
his grand scheme OF uniting two oceans, and have been
blind to difficulties existing, and mischiefs