The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-22


desirous that that question should be left 10 be de-
eded by further explorations, further reconnoissaaces
And with the honorable senator from Tennes-
see Mr. BELL,l in his suggestion that should leave
hg question open aud allow the President select the
practicable route, wherever that be ound, and
leave him the largest latitude TO accomplish that object
because road be ought TO be established or at
tempted 10 be established, until we can have further ex
ploralions and reconnossances made The first duty OF
The President 10 send able engineers 10 ascertain the
most practicable route, and then proceed to locate the
Ioad accordingly. will therefore vote for the PROPOSE
on OF the honorable senator he proposes 10 modify
y, although thnk he has designated too many ponts--
leaving to further explorations and further rec0nnois
TO determine which the practicable route and
then direct the railroad be made upon that route
wherever It may be. certainly regard the AZ now
laid down in this bill compelling and forcing US to
pass through the region OF country TO which have ad
verted
Mr. GWIN The bill does not say So
Mr.. SHIELDS, am aware that il is not designated
in the bi but these branches would make u alsost
compulsory TO i through tina, region OF country.
Atlantic with the Pacific, TO leave the President 10 select
between the Atlantic and the Pacific the most practicable
route, and then make the railroad upon that route
Mr.. ADAMS ] will detain the Senate but very
few minutes. beg leave, before the vote is taken upon
the proposition offered by the senator from Tennessee,
Mr. BELLl to call The attention OF that senator to vcks-
burg as point to be made, if other points are made
confess that agree with the senator from Illinois Mr.
sHELDsl in one thing prefer very greatly having no
Mr.. BELL agree in naming no point at all.
| Mr.. ADAMS. That will supersede the necessity Of
some OF the remarks intended to make. will say,
however that do not wish to be understood as being
opposed to this project | have offered some amend
ments which have been rejected, aud | still look upon
the project, presented for consideration,
chmerca and not at all practicable in the present state
OF the settlement OF the country am. nevertheless will
ling and would be glad 10 granted alternate sections
Of lana, oy which yon WI improve the value OF the
given to the States OF Arkansas Missouri. Louisiana,
and California. Tor the purpose OF building ral Dads,
having reference to the ultimate connexon oil the At
antc and Pacific by railroad Rut do desire
see this government embark again in great nation;
highway scheme. Sir, am sorry to see the demoes"cy
coming forward at this time and renewing in diff
form that old exploded project of the federal
ernmenof undertaking to construct roads, under me
preence that they want 10 carry mails over them IL
there senator here who does not know that commerce
the great argument that controls this matter and that
the carrying of the mails is only incidental And yet
we profess to have democratic majority here. With
democratic Senate, 1t is proposed to go INTO the lerr-
tories aud appropriate the public lands for great national
wayreainng to Congress the right, this bill pro-
poses, TO control the tolls and everything else connected
with this road 1t is proposed that the federal govern
ment shall embark in the magnificent scheme OF in
erna improvements that has been presented TO the
consideration oil this or any other people say that
am willing. notwithstanding believe that /, Is utterly
mpraccdble 10 construct railroad for thousands o miles
over region which is now, and must tor years TO come
remain unsettled praes and deserts hundreds OF
miles in extent, without timber water, or human hab
ta,ons-over lands the Indian title OF which 10 unex-
nguished-l am willing say, Notwithstanding all this.
10 contribute, so far as consistent with my views
OF the powers OF the federal government to the prosecu-
ton OF this work by grant OF alternate sections OF the
public lands II democratic Senate 10 prepared for il.
lei il be done. willing 60 far as have ind
Gated in conformity with strict principles OF construction
OF our powers, but further am not willing to CO.
Mr.. GWIN Mr. President
The PRESIDING OFFICER The gentleman will sus.
pend his remarks moment, until the Chair understands
from the senator from Ohio Mr.. CHAsE] how he has
Mr. RUSK I shall ask for a division OF the question
y The " PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendment as
,6a1 ha. haan
Mr. BELL. This is the amendment that has been
spoken of but has not been fully determined upon:
Tha, the President be authorized by the lights afforded
by the several explorations and and others
which have heretofore made, and with the aid of
such further and surveys OF particular noun
passes country supposed present OBJ
srucons OF serious nature. may proper be
made heeaer designate the termin and general drec-
railroad the valley of the Mis-
ssppi the State of California, keeping in view, in
making such designation, practicaby, economy in cost
and distance grades. and al the same time the great,
facilities with the Atlantic and Gulf rail-
roads. now in operation or projected together with some
safe and commodious harbor on the coast OF Oregon
TIE PRESIDING OFFICER then stated the amend
pending TO be the one first proposed by the senator
from Ohio.
Mr. GWIN l do no, intend to 90 into any partisan
discussion this subject but inasmuch as the senator
IRON Mississippi Mr.. ADAMs] has brought out and at
tempted 10 rally democratic feelings this great ques
ton of national ghUay. am not disposed 10 lei him
take away the platform, especially the gentleman
holds his seat this floor by wing votes, and there
fore proper representative OF the democratic party
effected by whg votes and therefore consider that be has
right preach to the Senate in regard to whggery or
democracy He is upon another mission entirely; and
know it is necessary for him 10 great deal about
harmony in order 10 get himself in right position at
home. / am willing that he should talk to Buncombe at
home. but not that he should rally the great democratic
party here upon the question OF democracy well
appreciate his speaking very loudly on democracy |
know il is important but at the tme when he at
empls to bring and rally party feelings here, the
great basis of the democratic party against this measure,
must my protest. IL may go for what II ia worth
in Mississippi, but hope it will not affect the whole
Union Sir this great neasueihs great consolidated
measure which the senator assashas most particular
reference Stasghts does mol Infringe upon State
rights IL gives power entirely 10 the States to construct
this road within the State.
Mr. BELL. Rather too much, suspect.
Mr. GWIN 1t was intended TO give 10 the States tun
and ample power As to the senator's objections IN re-
gard to constitutionay, am prepared to NEE, tnem
whenever they may come up. But do not nink tney
will come up, unless they lugged IN by the senator
from Mississippi. do not thnk " Poss'o'e 10 make
them in any FORM
As 10 the practcabity of the scheme suppose the
alors information may have its proper weight with the
BODY There great many men, however who think
il praccable-men who have been the route. and
who ought TO know something about IT, The senator
thinks il all visionary project II majority OF the SEN
ate agree with him, they will vote against the bill |
think is not only practical. but feasible plan and
this bill passes, or some similar one, have no doubt
we will have road in five years; and have thought
great deal upon the subject.
As TO what the senator from Illinos lMr SHELDsl
stated about this being mpraccabIe route, and
statement showing that persons have examined these
very Hcrea are lpftp frnm mi, officers and