The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-30

construct railroad the Pacific This subject has been
under consideration for long time, has been avoaby
pronounced upon by the legislatures of nineteen or
twenty different States, and has attracted the favorable
attention OF the people OF every part OF this
federacy The bill referred to by the Senator from Con-
nectcut has been laid upon the table. motion is made
to take il up simply for the purpose of fixing day for
Its consideration desire, particularly, that this motion
may be agreed to- in order that may have opporuni-
! ~ to submit amendment, which hold in my hand,
and that may decide upon some day when this subject
shall receive the attention which it deserves. do not
suppose II will occupy tho attention OF the Senate long,
Tor no doubt, senator has fully considered the
ter already. think il is due to the enerprsing indvid
ua who originated this measure and whoh devoted
much time to Ito the opinions expressed in regard to
BY the legislatures of many sovereign States and
the important facts connected with il, that should take
up the subject, and award 1t respectful consideration
hope sir that senators will present further opposition
to the motion to take up the bill at this time for the pur
pose indicated.
the senator from Mississippi respect the action OF the
State lsSiqlaturea am also much disposed to treat
with respect the opinions of the Senate but do not feel
called upon, SIR to treat with any particular mark of
spect, certainly with than has been already
tended, the propositions of any individual who may think
proper to come before the Congress United States and
ask our action for his special benefit and enable him
carry out gigantic speculation. To the action of State
legislatures and opinions OF senators upon this floor,
am disposed to extend the very highest respect and the
lont resolution which am directed TO report by The
Committee on Public LANDS for the very purpose
OF showing this respect The resolution that is now
urged Is 10 enable the government TO obtain the in
formation to respond TO The resolutions OF the State legs
laures to get the information without which they
could not act in this matter. Who will undertake TO
say here, or elsewhere that he knows anything about
the route at all Has II ever been surveyed Does Mr.
Whitney himself undertake to say that ne has
pored II He knows, as we all know, in general
terms, that there is vast tract of country about
twelve hundred miles OF. (which is destitute OF wood
and water and very large portion of it covered
with for the greater part of the year. The only
poraons all that can be depended upon are those of
Fremont and Gillespie; and understand that it is their
opinion, from actual observations that the project is ut
tery and wholly impracticable.
Mr.. FOOTE | would suggest to my friend that my
object to change the route, obviae of the
difficulties Mr RRf T. w An he We're. refers n.,, r,,
good object But the JOINT resolution of which have
spoken will obviae all the difficulties 1t directs the
Secretary of War have the surveys made which will
which will enable it to decide upon the propriey
OF the proposed route, and which will enable it
tion of the road. 1t does not propose to reject
this road, or any other certain route, bu! simply to
put the government in possession OF the information
which is Indispensable TO The formation of a lug
ment upon the matter Without such information for
myself, am not able to form opinion, and cannot
conceive how it will be safe for any senator to form
Mr.. FOOTE | regret very much the continuance of
this debate: Is seems to me quite unreasonable. The
only proposition to take up the bill for the purpose of
fixing upon day for its consideration. Has any
attempted to mysy conceal the true character of the
poect Has any opposition been made to resolution
offered by the honorable senator? Not at all The
simple proposition is, to take up the bill for consideration
and stated that my chief object in getting the bill up
the present time. was IN order to have an opportunity
secured 10 myself OF Offering an amendment which,
again repeat, if adopted, would, in my Judgment,
tend TO remove great portion OF the objections offered by
the senator from Arkansas Why should not the ordina-
ry of Legislation be adopted in regard to this bill
Why, ask, should any one condemn this project
without hearing know my friend from Arkansas
has Just denounced this project, and is, doubt
very honest-very patriotic; but beg leave to say
him that others have examined the subject; beg leave
10 remind him, sir that in the House of Representatives
Ia m iUps
made, upon full examination OF the case, favor of
| the project: An exceedingly able report was made in
this body in favor OF the project, by the honorable
tor from illinois, who, regret, not al this time in his
seat.
Mr.. BORLAND. One remark I.wish simply to say
far the report of the from Illinois is
cerned, he has had further information the subject
and has changed his whole opinion.
Mr. FOOTE. The senator from Illinois " is OF age"
and " answer for himself" II thai senator chooses
TO abandon those views, which he ably expressed
which were marked with extraordinary labor, and were
anything else, will. canse him to be honoraby remem
bered by postery, and IN my opinion give him strong
claims respectful consideration hereafter say, if the
senator from Illinois chooses to abandon that report he
may do so, but the report will still stand the of the
scrutiny of talents and of time. The facts of the
powerfully, irressliby presented The reportshows
plainly that at the time of ITS preparation, able
had explored this subject had investigated ii in nearly
all It's bearings, and had come TO favorable
uon in regard to the project rse
opinions are embodied IN that report, and made part
OF it. Now sir when measure has been most repect-
ably reported in favor OF both houses of Congress
when nineteen twenty State legislatures. after a
thorough consideration of the NATTER have declared in IA
vor of the project ask what cogent influence
the minds of senators here sufficiently induce Them
refuse to take bill from the table for respectful consde
ration at some future day. that may have leisure to
look into IT, especially when senator urges in his place
that he prepared an opportunity IS given. TO offer
amendment, which, IN his opinion, would obvate all the
objections heretofore presented My friend says he does
not sanction the scheme he looks upon it a very
Itr1lyu ma ha Gn arr hnt pT nG WI m
have examined, like himself, but have to diff
Ierent conclusion are very ambitious of having an
opportunity OF meeting that senator and others in dis
cusson We want advantage, sir only
claim justice from this body. We profess to have
examined the subject well as others. We are
measure and although percbance, not with The logical
energy which others may display in opposition to the
measure, we claim the right OF maintaining opinions
upon the subject Why the spirit of prescription should
penetrate thus chamber regard to this measure cannot
DIVINE No injustice Is intended to be done to indl-
vidua or to the great public at large 1t is not scheme
OF midnight consplraors against the public peace and
welfare. Why that this particular measure should
be hunted down-why attempts should be made to hunt
it down in this chamber cannot understand. The
measure certainly entitled to respectful consideration
and that this body will agree to the motion OF
the senator.
The VICE PRESIDENT stated the question upon the
motion made by Mr.. NILES proceed to the consideration
of the bill mentioned by him, being bill to set apart
and sell TO Asa Whitney portion OF the public domain
to aid in the construction of abroad from the United
States to the Pacific ocean.
Mr. FO)rE demanded the yeas and nays
MIR UPHAM | understood the senator to say that
the object of the motion to take the bin up, simply
for the purpose of assgn ug some day for its consdea