New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-06-14

s1 cents ner acre with the privilege of choice over
the whole public domain, constitute at present the
standard price Of public lands next, the expenses
Of the land system; and thirdly that this proposed
purchase by Mr.. Whitney by provision Of the
bin. is no expenseto the Government 50 that Mr.
Whitney, in n wholesale contract, is, IN effect 10
pay full present price for lands which will never
be higher, and which are likely to come 10 price
at all-ihat is, TO be given to actual settlers.
Next, Mr.. w hitney, as is evident, will have 70
incur the outlay Of nearly a million Of dollars be-
fore be an realize anything, ALL in this as in every
stage Of the enterprise, ct his own risk with sure
benefit 70 the public far as he goes, even though
he should fail, and wherever he fails. The first
and every successive ten miles OF the road over
the first 500 miles will cost on an average each,
5000, COO whereas the FIVE by sixty.mlles section
falling 10 him out of every ten miles by SIXTY, on
his fulfllment of all the conditions Of the bill, when
estimated at the standard price OF 81 cents per
acre would amount only 10 1888 900, or $4,000 ess
than his actual outlay on this ten miles and 50 on
ior the first 500 miles, where the lands are good
Conseauentv he must, by his own exeFtons and
enterprise raise the value OF these lands very con-
siderably before he can get back MS outlay even
though every acre should be sold and a. the end
Of ten years, the sale oil all remalnders OF M
Wbltneys half as far as the road IS completed, is
TO be forced by auction at any price or sacrifice
By all Of which conditions, any one may see that
the risk of Mr. Whitney is not inconsiderable.
II is also objected That Mr.. Whitney may stop
when he may have got through the good lands
Suppose be does Ii, at that point, be shall have
realized satisfactory compensation, 1t must neces-
sary bring with it not only an ample indemniiica-
ton to the public, but capital, created by Mr.
Whitney, wherewithal for the Government, by
other agents TO complete the work. There will
be the road WITH all its apparatus and machinery,
in good order, forfeited 10 the Government We
saw in good order; for the bill, as will be seen, pro-
4 IL -. arrNe
native section Of five miles by sixty unsold and
untouched, with all the additional valCe impaired
by the road in actual operation leading 70 sure
market and by the settlements, towns, and villages
on tile line. The Government and people risk
nothing, bnt gain all this, even If VI. Whitney
should stop at the end of the 900 miles Of good
land.
But with this capital Of every alternate section
of five miles by sixty, with its additional value
Unmarried as above stated which 1t is expected will
be ample 20 carry the road through, 10 connection
withe the good lands toward the Pacific, and with
the prospect of enduring and worldwide fame for
such an achievement it is not very natural TO sup
pose that Mr. Whitney or his assigns would resign
the rights and glory Of such an enterprise At the
very place and moment where the prospects are
the best. Moreover, if Railroad to the Pacific IS
practicable on any plan, your committee believe 1t
is practicable on this they believe, indeed that 1t
is exclusively practicable on this II, however, 1t
must fail anywhere it is better that it should fail
where it will have impaired great benefit to the
country as far as il goes, which must necessarily
be the case on this plan, wherever II stops. Inc
risk is all Mr. Whitney's with sure beneisto the
public if anything at all be dOnei and IN no case
whatever can it be public injury. Bat your Com
mi,tee feel authorized 20 say that they entertain
no doubt Of the final and triumphant success OF Mr.
Whitney, If permitted to 80 on and they believe
that an attentive examination OF the bill will show
that the rights Of the Government and people Of
the United States in the premises are amply Sc
cured.
Who, then, will object that such risk such enter
prise such labors such devotion, and such ponsi-
bility, as Mr.. Whitney has already demonstrated,
and still proposes TO take on himself for so great
public good, should have some prospect of reward |
What could be more just, when the public benefit, |
in case of success is to be no great 80 incacula.
ble and when, too, Mr.. Whitneys benefit must be |
limited and that of the public unlimited Mr. Whit
ney risking everything and the public nothingl-
To object 10 the reward of Mr.. Whitney on such
terms, would be like obectng to the rain OF heaven
because other parties may share in the benefit, and
because the Dispenser thereof may acquire some
capital of renown for his benehcence toward the
race Of man.
To say that this great public benefit may be &C
quired In another way, that 10 not apparent Oh
the contrary, as will yet appear, it is likely TO be
entirely and forever forfeited by the rejection OF
this Your Committee would be the last 10 sane.
ton monopoly Of any kind aud the last to be IN
grateful to public beneiactor. They cannot con-
coiye more supreme folly, not 70 say moral delin-
ouency than 10 reject such public benefit on the
ground that the instrument, after such devotion,
such actual expense, such risk, apd such perse-
verng toll, may possibly be well rewarded. IL is
not enough to say that the greater his reward, so
much greater the public benefit or that his reward
can come only as consequence OF public good
but the public benefit will increase on geometri-
cal scale, while his will march only as one, two,
three. Mr. Whitney has been thought visionary.
1t u.s. to say the least great stride, and not per
haps, very praiseworthy to pass from the dsre. |
spect rendered to dreamer TO the entertainment |
of jealousy lest bis dreams should come to pass,
especially where the realization Of his visions |
could never be beneficial TO himself except as a |
OF public benefit.
But it is too low and groveling thought to sup |
pose that pecunary profit should be the only mo- |
tive of the protector of such an enterprise. 1t is
due TO the man who could conceive and mature
such a plan, and no more than generous, to give
him some credit for the oter and purer aspirations
If being a public beneisctor, and oil realizing the
enduring fame Of having achieved so great R work.
Certainly man must live by his calling bat the
highest merit Of existence here is to have lived
or others and the best reward Of that merit TO he
emembered for the good one has done On tins
olnt, let Mr.. Whitney speak for himself. He says,
d his pamphlet of last year, and addressed to the
ublic:
"My desire and object have been 10 carry out
nd accomplish this great work for the motives
S here and everywhere else by me declared TO
i've my country this great thoroughlare for all ma
ons without the cost Of one dollar; to give EN-.
loyment to aud make comfortable and happy
ailions who are now destitute and starving and
0 bring all the world together in free intercourse
s one nation. Ii it is feared that the remunera.
ion will be disproporlionate to the extent and i'm
ortance Of the work, then am ready to relinquish
ny claim may have for compensation, and let
he people give me anything or nothing as they
lease. If they will bat allow me to he their IN.
trumentt to accomplish this great work, it is enough.
ask no more. | am willing to have my acts
canned but feel that / ought not to be doubted
when / say that what have done, and what
ropose 20 do, is not for the gain of wealth. or
over, or influence, but for the great good which
am persuaded it must produce to our whole coun.
~. / have undertaken this mighty work, because
know some ones whole life must be sacrificed