Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-03
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

/ Mr.. COBB, from the Committee on Public Lands, re
ported bill granting the right Of way and making gran
lands to the State of Alabama aid Of the construction
of the Memphis and Charleston Railroads which read
| twice.
Mr. COBB asked that this bill be put on its passage
and proceeded explain its provisions The railroad which
proposed to aid commenced at Memphis in Tennessee,
the Mississippi river and running in direction east
connected with and united with other branches
of national railroads He would say to Maine, which
formidably aayed against such grants these
THAT when this great work should be completed il would
connect with the northeast and on the Atlantic. He
argued the benefits which would be derived from this road
and hoped that this bill would be referred to the Com
mttee Of the Whole the state of the Union for if it
should be referred it would be the last they would
hear of it. He urged that it would be put upon its
passage.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, remarked that those who
in favor of the bills granting alternate sections of
the public lands for railroad purposes anxious
have action them, that they might determine the
course to be pursued with regard to them If it
fact that they not to pass without debate in commit
tee, he hoped that there would be indication of it
to-day If the majority considered that there had been
debate enough those Matters and would take the bills
which had been well-dgested II it fact that the
lay consumption Of tme then the motion he was about
to make would determine the question. He called on
gentlemen friendly to these species Of grants to sustain
him for he desredto know whether the House intended
to kill this bill or pass it at once.
Mr.. COBB stated that the road would cost s. 000
of which So 800 900 had been subscribed Nnety-two
miles Of the road had been constructed and cars would be
running upon towards the close Of this year. Gentle
men could see whether or not they in build
ing this road The question Of the disposition Of the pub
lie lands had been thoroughly discussed and to continue
the debate would only result in waste Of time and public
money He would therefore conclude by expressing his
reliance the wisdom and justice of the House for favor
able action upon this bill
Mr. MEACHAM inquired IL the bill had been printed
Mr.. COBB replied In the negative. 1t was nearly
precise copy of the Missouri railroad bill and had not
been printed because II had just been reported
Mr.. STANLY did not wish his vote to be regarded as
expressive Of his views upon this subject lie had had
no opportunity to examine the BILL and was inclined to
think that he should vote il after asceraning whether
there was opportunity Of doing justice to other sections
of country He wanted however, little further dis
cussion
Mr. EVANS said that if this bill put upon it's pas
sage he would have to vote against it.
Mr.. JOHNSON. Of Arkansas, wished to knew whether
II the bill should not be put its passage the gentle
man would vote for 1t?
Mr. EVANS did not know but he thought IL was no
reason that he should vote for this bill because il like
another in its provisions He not hostile to the bill
but before voting for 1t desired to examine It, He did not
wish his vote to be regarded as a test
Mr. JOHNSON asked the gentleman from Maryland If
he ever voted for railroad bill upon this principle
Mr. EVANS replied that he voted against the commit
ment of the Missouri railroad bill.
Mr. JOHNSON was happy to hear It. He would be
exceedingly glad to accommodate gentlemen by giving
them time examine this bill, but he could not accom-
modate every body and the friends Of this de-
sired to the opinion Of the House these railroad
? Mr. CAMPBELL Of Illinois, said that II vote upon
this bill was to be considered indicative Of his vote
House, Notwithstanding he favorable to the
before the House and the principle which II asserted he
should vote against It. He desired every bill Of this cha
-acter to stand upon its merits. and he opposed
% any combination being formed in this House pass
81, which had no merit n itself He was in favor Of this
,ystem Of making grants which was fast settling down
INTO fixed policy Of the aoverunent But there were