Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-05-28

great object OF this BILL and think it should be made the
leading measure Of this session desire, far have
anything do during this session. with the proceedings
Of the Senate that shonld recall if possible the pub
lie mind from certain outside questions which have agta
ted US during the last few sessions foreign rea
tonsand direct the attention Of Congress to inter
nal aairsto the great improvements and to the great
progress of the age at home. shall, therefore, all
occasions aid the Senator from California pressing this
measure the consideration of the Senate but think il
ne were to urge IT at this me should be proceeding
without that information which is necessary to vote
upon the details Of the bill with any thing like intei
gent view of the subject.
The Senator himself has made speech to-day contain
ing great many interesting facts; and have no doubt
will be the desire Of the Senate to look into and inform
themselves in regard to them He has also presented
map, showing the location and situation of the great lead
ing railroad horoughfares Of the country in connexion
suppose with this great route to the Pacific. As
great question: and perhaps the most difficult question to
settle in connexion with this subject will be in regard
TO the location of the route, we want information upon
that subject; and before take step with
gard the details of the BILL we ought be informed in
reference to the proposed points hope therefore, that
the Senator will consent to postpone the bill to some fu-
ture day, and if he win any day that will be agreea-
BILE to him. shall that it be postponed until that
time X - aaes
Mr.. GwIN. Mr.. President, will move that the fur
ther consideration of the subject be postponed until
morrow wish to keep this before the Senate.
1t is now the first in ORDER and am determined press
it to vote have very determined opinion in regard
to the have presented am in favor Of any
practicable plan of building railroad to the Pacific.
have brought this bill forward, because have examined
the subject with great deal of attention and care, and
thought this practical and practicable
believe the road can be built the route which have
indicated in the bill; have no doubt of it. have in
my portfolio evidence which cannot be controverted
showing the practcabilty of the evidence from
those who have travelled over it, from officers of the
my from tappers who have been for twenty thir
y years examining that section of country We have got
this route those passes through the mountains which
|
Of the road which is the great object at least have ev
dence which shall at proper time submit to the Senate
which proves unquesonaby that the road can be made
that route All want is to have action the bill
and early action by the Senate. not for pressing it
to vote to-day but if gentlemen prepared for the
vote, am, and 1 always have been prepared. hope
the Senate will act speedily am willing however, to
let the subject go over till tomorrow.
Mr.. DAVIS suppose member of the Senate will
view this in any other light than measure of very
great Importance rise to say, for one, that am gra
tilted that it has been brought to the attention OF the
Senate 1t to that the time has come when our
experience teaches lesson which should not
forget We have been here for days discussing the terms
and conditions of treaty, and the manner in which it
has been executed Our attention has been hitherto d
reced to communication through foreign
territory which at all times and under all circumstances
will be hampered with conditions and difficulties that tend
to the obstruction of the enterprise have been In my
own mind for long time prepared to secure by some
means other ntercommuHicaon between the Atlantic
and the Pacific coast upon territory; to have
highway of own, which will be subject to no interfer
from quarter whatever and am free to that
believe that to be of the most eectual means which
human ingenuity devise of binding and uniting this
Union together Create unity of interest and you have
unity of feeling
But sir this great measuret is very grave in its
character; and what should DESIRE If called upon
vote for the best Of ntercommunica-
ton between the Atlantic and Pacific. If route is to be
selected wish to be the best route for commercial pur
poses for trade and intercourse and regret that the
hava
in his bill to indicate any route whatever wish to see
this whole question entirely open for further investga
tion, explol alton, and examination
Why, sir, the honorable gentleman proposes to make
some thousand miles of railroad and, far as
derstand not foot of it has been explored by engi
for that purpose This does not detract from its
merits its Importance 1t only shows the propriey
of leaving this question to future investigation Let us
leave the question in FORM that that location Of
highway may be taken which shall best subserve the
great interests of the country For myself can have no
feeling this subject influenced by any local considera-
tions have motive but 90 for the very best route
which can be obtained.
While up, will make another suggestion to the honor
able member from California. do not know that heard
the bill read correctly and watched his remarks to see
il there any notice of point there but the bill
only provides understood it, for the construction Of
road and nothing else Let tell my honorable friend
that this does not begin to get communication through
the country You want the equipments of road; you
want stations you want watering places want loco
motives you want all the of ntercomm
and they will cost you onethird Of the whole expense
they not provided for in the bill, you will simply have
track and when you get it, you will have nothing to
put upon it in order to If that be 1T is great
in the BILL and that must be remeded for there
should be provision the of moving
| on the road when you obtain it.
do not throw out these suggestions by way OF obec-
ton merely wish TO bring the attention OF gentlemen
to the subject to show them that it is of great mag
ntude; of many Details and requiring very great and
very careful consideration to it properly. am
ready cooperate with the honorable Senator from Ca
forna in doing that but it is not to be done in day
1t requires care and attention and examination to ma
ture a subject of this kind.
| Mr. SEWARD. Mr.. President, although have not
been anxious be heard early on this question, am
quite unwilling that the State from which come and the
commercial emporium which is located within it, shall
suffer days debate to pass without giving utterance OF
hearty concurrence in the solictude which has been
manifested from all parts Of the House for the construc
ton and the speedest possible construction of the Paci
fc railroad rise with that view, well for the pur-
pose of expressing the thanks which emnenty due To
the honorable Senator from California who has brought
the subject before us in bill which, whatever may be its
defects is considering the magnitude and the novelty Of
the case admirably dgesed and for having presented
the merits and importance Of this great work Of internal
improvement in so just, and might say cor
responding to the magnifcence Of the work itself
Sir have observed in the prosecution of works OF
internal improvement that there is much less difficulty
in bringing the public mind and the minds Of legislative
bodies to the adoption of favorable view Of enter
prise than there is in fixing the plan and the route for the
prosecution of the improvement and at once that
these are to be the great difficulties which the present
erprise is to encounter in this body and in the other
branch of Congress Those difficulties will probably dis
close themselves in formidable shape than have
supposed than any of have supposed. With refe
renee to that point wish to be distinctly understood now
think that the estimate of the honorable Senator