The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-07


length hope that we may go on to-day and finish the
post Office bill, and then may take up and finish the
other.
Mr.. ATHERrON withdrew his motion.
| Mr. BENTON remarked that the bill relating to the
transportation OF the mall &C., across the isthmus OF
Panama had the precedence, for 1t began first and was
discussed rst so far he concerned, 1t ready
for the motion to be put He moved therefore, that the
Senate proceed 10 the consideration OF said bill, which
| was agreed TO.
RAILROAD ACROSS THE IsTHMUs.
The Senate then, in committee of the whole, re-
suned the consideration OF the bill 10 make compensation
for the transportation OF troops and supplies OF the Uni
ted States across the isthmus OF Panama.
| The question pending being upon the amendment by
the Senator from Kentucky, (bir. UNDERwooD) propos-
ing to reduce the TO be paid for the service TO $780,,
Mr. BADGER said he would be extremely happy if the
honorable gentleman who had charge OF this bill would
give the Senate some information regard to the pro-
! prlety OF the proposed amendment.
MI. UNDERWOOD. | will endeavor to give the gen.
tleman some information on the subject wish to show
some things IN regard to the principle involved in this
| The principle involved in this bill, sir, is of
very great Importance conceive, to the interests of
the country; and would be very well for to know,
in the passage of this bill. what principle going to
settle for our future government.
In looking at the history OF the past Mr. President it
seems to me that our government has osclated very
much on the subject OF internal Improvement; and il
to me, sir, that this bill is phase in the many
changes which have taken place that great subject
We had system OF internal Improvement at time,
sir by which the government invested money in stock,
and by way of investment aided and assisted joint stock
companies in making roads and canals When that sys
TEN was in force the government took stock in the Louis
vile and Portland canal, the state of Kentucky. That
work has been completed IN part, by the stock OF this
government aided by the stock which furnished by
Individuals and that work having been thus completed,
has succeeded most admirably in accommodating the
country and in making large profit both to the govern
to carry out this SYSTEM sir in reference to the canals
| N rIv a from
the Potomac Something Ike million OF dollars,
subscribed by the for stock in that canal
and subsequent to that e the government relieved this
city and Alexandria and, believe, Georgetown, ALSO
by assuming the payment of debts which these cities had
contracted to enable them to subscribe stock in that
canal But sir before that work was completed, like the
Louisville canal change had the spirit of the
government growing out o the appropriation to make
road the State of Kenuckyhe extension sir, of the
men hal appropriated money to take stock in that road
owing the change which say had come the spirit
of the govenmentthat appropriation was arrested and
since that time believe no appropriation has been made
aid of the construction OF roads and canals by this gov
ernment The government cir has in its past history
often undertaken make roads for itself, and the Cum
berland road is instance OF that klnd-an instance
| of association with joint stock companies
Now sir this bill which we have under consideration
is neither bill like those to which have ad verted in
which the government puorts to take SO much stock IN
aid of the construction of the road, nor it one like the
| Cumberland BILL to make road upon an expenditure
OF the means and by the agency and fundamentally
| OF the government alone.
Sir, perhaps it might be foreign to remarkbut never
theess will remark herethat 1t does seem to me that
il the government should ever engage in works OF this
description the most economical manner IN which they
be conducted Is TO take stock, and thus unite Its
efforts with individual efforts and thereby that
omy and interest to the United States which individuals
exercise in the management of of this sort be-
that principle seshness which may operate and
does operate upon the human hear-hat principle OF self
interest which into the management OF private con-
Germs, will always be productive of economy than
you find in the administration OF affairs of this sort
| by the government alone.
But, sir | will not pursue my remarks any further
upon this part OF the subject This bill which we
have under consideration, in its principle is not like
any of those bills heretofore passed. in which the
government has united with individuals in takng stock
nor is il bill like the Cumberland road bill, where the
government undertakes with its MEANS and through
its own agency to construct road 1t does therefore,
seem to to be Introduction of something like a
new principle in the making OF roads Well. what is that
principle! II assumes the guse OF contract 1t is COW
cred up under that guise According the face of the
| BILL it would that only to contract to
pay SO much shall amount to an equivalent to
| that which we are to receive. The money which
we are to pay out, to be in amount than the
value OF the service which the company to which the
money is to be paid renders to the government. Well,
now, sir, if it be contract in that light and moth
ing no sort of objection to it on the score OF
principle 1t is in that view, sir, more than if
government to pay for the transportation OF men
or munitions of war from the eastern part Of the
Mediterranean sea, to the Persian gulf; or by
land, if you please, from the Mediterranean to any
part of the East Indies. In the light of
tract, IL you are only 10 pay equivalent
services rendered, admit that the government has a
right to make contract Of that Sort for any services 1t
may require in any part of the world. But is this bill
mere contract in that light sir think that when come
to the details of the bill it will appear manifest to the
Senate that this bill purporting merely to pay Tor
an equivalent be rendered. but that 1t Is bill IN which
donation is to be made, by way OF encouraging under
takers this road and by way OF furnishing
fund with which they are to construct It,
Now sir let us look at it in that light, if you please
have made some figures which. if considered, will,
| think answer the question which the gentleman who
sits before Mr.. BADGERl propounds The bill pro-
poses to give the sum $250000 year. for how many
wears II the contract is made it is not to be for less
| than ten years-t may be much more than ten: The
contract is made and the contract may continue much
beyond the period which the government has the OPP
ton terminate it; and unless be terminated, the
sum, instead of being limited to $250,00o for ten
wears, may be extended to twenty. But sir, when
is the first payment of this money to be made :
says il shall not be paid till the road is ready to
perform the services If my reading OF the bill be correct,
the contract does spuate the OF $780, 900 to be
paid annually from the very date OF the contract And
apprehend that is the design of the BILL under the view
which have OF itthat is intended to furnish money
to enable the undertakes to construct road twill be
very useful for them receive these annual instruments
of $250,O00 per from he.vcry commencement OF
this contract and there is nothing as parceive, In the
bill to limit IT, prevent its being paid till the road Is
ready to perform its service. The road, sir, accord
ing to stipulation is 10 be ready to perform the ser
vice within three years and after It is ready to
perform it, you to pay for ten years, or more,
before you can restrict the contract II my view,
therefore, OF the bill be correct you may pay 900
in the three years during which 1t 10 IN process OF con-
rucon and then you compelled to pay Tor the ten
years after the road is finished before you abolish