The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-19
THE UNION.

processes to speak with certainty, that the original con-
tract general, sweeping one, containing no nlta
ton TO the amount of toll which should be charged
for the transportation OF merchandise OF any Description
| or of passengers, over the road.
Now, the practical operation OF bill OF TINS descrlp
ton might be this: do not say that they would abuse
their power, but they might abuse IT. 1t might be that
they would charge just such amount OF toll Tor the
transportation OF goods and persons as would make Tor
the interest OF persons TO go themselves or TO send the
goods upon this route being cheaper than any other
route opened to them Now, what is the other route ?
II is 20 around the Cape. &c. If they will put their
charges two three five per cent less than the cost
OF transportation round the Cape thsy will get the whole
OF the travel IL unnecessary Tor TO call attention
TO the immense profit that will TO the holders OF tins
contract If we pass the bill in the shape in which II
now stands, i will be open 10 these obecuons and
merely mention them that the senator from Missouri
may obyiate them if he know he will do so II he
can If we pass this BILL place in the hands OF the
Secretary OF the Navy power to pay thus company $4,000
900 at besides the charter under which they may
millions millions more not only for the whole
period of twenty years, but for the whole time their con-
tract lasts and understand the contract with the gov
eminent OF New Grenada is for ninety nlne years
Now, sir, as 10 the suggestion made by the honorable
senator from Missouri that these particular gentlemen
have decided advantage most others who would be
likely to engage in work OF this description. Why,
sir, If am right the expense of making this road
should be glad to undertake II, without dollar OF
dollar of capital myself could raise the necessary
amount in five days. Whoever builds this road with the
certainty of receiving six millions of dollars could Dor
row with great facility 100000 or S2OOOooO, which
alone, am persuaded, would be required
understand the Senator to say that was not his pur-
pose to press the bill 10 day. merely throw out these
suggestions, that he may consider them and, II he cam
may obvate them at another time.
Mr.. BENTON. As | stated before, the Secretary OF
the Navy may contract for short time The senator
from Maryland has referred 10 the contract and to the
terms upon which il Is 10 be granted But the SENATOR
SIT, will excuse me if do not join in his views upon the
spontaneous mode of giving the company four millions OF
dollars. In the first place. there is principle upon
which he and differ except as to the amount OF the
cost of the road We might SUPPOSE that II would
| I.,,lz L,t ,.I.
of competent engineers The basis OF the gentlemans
calculations may not be correct with respect to that
country. Nor to suppose that all money received
after the building of the road is TO be clear gam APP
prehend sir that it will require very large provision
OF persons to be employed and along the course OF
the road apPTehend that there will be very large
expense in buildings. Persons must be always there
to attend to matters, and buildings Will be needed along
the line for shelter apprehend, therefore, that there
will be large outlay from the time that the work IS
completed and the transportation upon 1t commences,
until the work of transportation shall be finished We
know that is the way with railway here: we know
how great Is the expense OF our railways here, sayng
nothing of the supplies of wood and water The number
of responsible agents who must be employed enters deep
" into the amount of the expenses OF our roads, With
would suppose, going to the ticket office and
seeing five hundred thousand people there, and upon
seeing every of them put down his four or hye dol
lars the may be- II he should go upon the as
sumption that all this clear gain that the profits were
immense He would be asounded at the enormous daily
profits But when 60 into the detail OF the business,
find that OF this four five dollars paid tor the
ticket thirds three fourths goes into the expenses
OF the road
MIR BREESE When was up before, | stated that
the company would three millions OF dollars Tor
twenty years service thought the language OF the sec
ton would bear that construction ley certainly Will
receive that sum for twenty years service, paid accord
ing to the named the bill and the Secretary
of the Navy will contract for that amount was proba-
bly, mistaken with regard 10 the probable cost OF the road
apprehend that very small proportion OF the road VIII
built Look at the language OF the proviso II provides
that payment shall be made until these supplies, &c,
conveyed only by steam power twill only be ne
cessary build the road twenty rwenyhv miles,
for they will be propelled by steam as lar upon me
Chagres river they can. Well sir, suppose, them the
road will not cost, at the rate OF $4,000 mile, more
than million OF dollars IN order to enable them 10 draw
pay under this bill and they WILL therefore, clear hve
millions OF dollars. Alluslon has been made to the
present What is that contract OF the govern,
500 900 per annnm By this bill you double the
time, and give them 100000 per annum Our
naval and military supplies should not necessary be
by this We have armed vessels that will not
be in active service otherwise that could be most advan-
tageousy employed in transporting these stores IS TAR
better that they should take these stores on board double
the Horn and thus effect the transportation 1t will give
! them employment-cost nothing additonal-and keep
officers and in drill and practice hope that enough
has been said to call the attention OF the Senate TO THIS
! subject.
Mr. DIX wish TO make single remark, for
the purpose of calling the attention OF the Senate to an
other subjec-he treaty. may be wrong myself but,
in nv opinion the government of the United States has
power under the treaty. to confer the night oil con-
sructing road across the ls,hmus OF Panama at all
Inc only Tlght we nave uiuei tlie treaty as uiueio
it, this That the citizens OF the United Staes WIN
their merchandise, be permitted TO pass over any roads
now constructed or that may be hereafter constructed with
the same privileges the citizens OF Grenada, while
the right of constructing roads these routes is
reserved so that there be no competition between
citizens of the United States make the suggestion fol
the purpose of calling attention to the subject, and lnst
iuting The inquiry whether the United States have any
| right to II.
On notion the Senate proceeded to the consideration
of executive business and after time SPENT the
doors opened and
The Senate adjourned,