Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-09-23


Pacific railroad.
Mr.. Allen moved TO strike out the third Sec
ton Of the bill and insert, in substance, the
amendment adopted in the Hannibal and st. Jo-
seph bill this is the amendment introduced by
MIR, Sturgeon, and will be found above. The
consideration Of this amendment was informally
passed over.
Mr.. Allen asked leave 10 introduce bill au-
thorizing the city of St. Louis and certain coun-
ties therein named, and companies, TO subscribe
stock for the construction ola branch road
from the main track of the Pacific road to the
Iron Mountain.
Pending the question of leave, The Senate adj
Ijourned until tomorrow morning
HoUsE-MoRNlNG SESSION.
The House resolved itself into Committee of
the Whole, and, on motion, look up the Ham
nibal and st. Joseph railroad bill. The first Sec
ton being under consideration, an amendment
was offered by Mr.. Simms, of Cass, 10 the effect
that where "Railrood Company" appears in the
bill, 1T shall moi only include The present stock
holders, but all who may hereafter become such.
An erroneous idea seemed TO prevail among
some few members, that the grant only applied
10 present stockholders. The amendment, after
some discussion, was rejected.
Mr.. Stevenson, of Franklin, offered an
amendment that in consideration Of the grant,
the Governor be required to convey 10 the COM
pany, in fee simple, all the lands along the route,
the company conveying them back again in
trust, together with all the property pertaining
10 the road TO secure the faithful application of
the money arising from the sale of the lands for
the completion Of first class railroad, under the
provisions of the act of Congress.
The amendment was rejected.
A., IL, tol L. L.
bill up with amendm ents, for the purpose of
test, a motion was made by Mr.. Holden, of
johnson, one of the friends Of the BILL TO strike
out The cnacting clause.
Mr.. Smith, of Caldwell, spoke al considerable
length upon the merits of the bill, just as twas
reported from committee. B. Gratz Brown, of
st. Louis, followed, in opposition to the bill as
reported. He contended that the company, un-
der the act OF Congress, was not absolutely en-
titled TO the land, and that the State could hold
the lands, and not give one cent to the company.
The act of Congress, he said, contemplated
two portions, and that any other company could
De entitled 10 portion of these lands, 10 build
road between these two points that the act
neither mentioned or contemplated the Hannibal
and ST. Joseph and the Pacific railroad compa-
nies. Mr.. b. further contended that, as the
company only required about one million dollars,
and that he estimated the lands TO be worth three
times that amount, there would be surplus Of
two millions Of dollars to enrich q company, and
divide out among private stockholders. lie Of
fered a substitute for the whole bill. The pro-
visions of this substitute unite several railroad
projects; one to the Iron Mountain, one TO Kan
sas on the Pacific road and that the Hannibal
and st. Joseph road shall build branch from
st. Charles to the northern boundary OF the
State.
The committee took recess until o'clock,
Pm.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The House resumed the consideration of the
Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad Bill, in the
Committee Of the Whole. M Woodson, being
entitled to the floor, spoke at length in favor OF
the bill.
The motion to strike out the enacting clause
made in the morning. was withdrawn; the first
and second sections of the bill were then read
and passed. To the third section Mr.. Blair
oiTercd an amendment, TO the effect that whcr
the net earnings shall amount 10 six per cent
upon the capital stock subscribed, they shall pay
into the treasury of the State six per centum
of the net earnings Of the Railroad. A discus
sion took place upon this amendment, in which
Messrs. Blair, Halliburton and Moss particpa'
ted; when, on motion, the Committee rose.
The House then took up the Senate bill, re-
ported; when Mr. Brown moved TO strike on
the first second, third and fourth sections of The
bill; for which he offered his bill as substitute
upon which he spoke this morning. A Ions
debate ensued on the question of printing tn
amendment of Mr.. Brown, in which the debate
took wide range. Pending this motion th'
House adjourned.