The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-03
PACIFIC RAILROAD.
c.. r..

PACIFIC RAILROAD.
The bill for the construction Of the great
Pacific Railroad gave rise To great deal Of
discussion. 1t was evidently unsatisfactory to
a majority Of the members of the Senate, al
though well disposed to adopt some plan for
making such road An amendment propo-
sed by Mr. Brodhead, but considerably modi-
fed by Mr.. Chase, struck US as being far bet
ter than the original bin. We copy it, with
the remarks of Mr.. Chase, clearly showing its
advantages.
The amendment was, to strike out all after
the word that, and insert:
"The Secretary of War be, and he is here
| by, authorized under the direction of the Pres
ident of the United States, to employ such por-
ton of the corps of Typographical engineers,
and such other persons as he may deem neces-
sary, to make such explorations and survey as
he may deem advisable, TO ascertain the most
practicable and economical route for railroad
from the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean
and that the sum of one hundred thousand dol
lars be, and the same is hereby appropriated,
out of any money in the Treasury not other
wise appropriated, to defray the expenses OF
such explorations and survey.
"SEc. 2. And be ii further enacted That, in
making such explorations and survey, the en-
gineers and other persons employed under the
authority of this act may be directed to act in
concert with any engineers or other persons
employed by any individual or individuals, as
ISOLATION or associations, for the same general
object; and the Secretary of War is hereby
| ,,,bo ,,l to alS
from individuals or associations, for the con-
struction of railroad between the valley OF
the Mississippi and the Pacific ocean, and TO
lay the same before Congress at the next ses-
sion"
Mr.. CHASE Mr. President | trust since
the Senate has manifested its disposition to
proceed with this debate this evening" that we
shall continue in session until we have at least
taken the question upon the amendment now
under consideration. | am exceedingly desi-
rous that this whole subject shall be disposed
Of 1t has already occupied the attention of
the Senate many days, and it interferes with
the consideration of other bills, certainly of
equal if not of greater Importance Amongst
| those is the Homestead bill in which the Sen
ator from Iowa Mr.. DoDcrl takes 20 deep an
interest. 1t is a bill upon which several Sena-
|
lures of their States; and hope it will be the
pleasure of the Senate, after having passed
upon this measure, TO proceed to the considera-
ton and to the disposal OF that
am, Mr. President, in some degree respon-
sible for the amendment which is now under
discussion, since some important provisions have
been Incorporated in it upon my own sugges-
ton and therefore desire to state briefly the
, considerations which will govern my vote in
3 favor Of it, The general merits of the bill
!, have been discussed at great length elaborate
r arguments have been made, to satisfy the Sen
Q ate that a railroad TO the Pacific is necessary
and that the interests of the country require til
speedy construction. Now, Mr. President
who upon this floor doubts that Who has
, manifested any indisposition to the construc.
: ton of this road, in some way and by some
means? 1t seems to me we might well spare
elaborate discussion upon topics in regard to
which the Senate is nearly unanimous
! But while large ma ority of the Senate
, are agreed rs to the construction of road,
there may be, and there are, considerable diff
ferences of opinion as to the mode in which
that object shall be attained
Mr.. President, am in favor of this road.
No Senator upon this floor is warmer friend
10 it. or more fully appreciates the advantages
which will flow to the country from its cen
structon, than land yet | desire practical
common. sense legislation upon the subject. !
wish 40 TO legislate as to secure the construction
of the road over the best route in the shortest
time, and with the least expenditure.
Now, what does the amendment which has
been 30 condemned by the Senator from Con
necticut, Mr. SMITH propose In the first
place, it proposes surveys and explorations.
These surveys and explorations, We are told,
will consume years Who knows that! Who
has authorized any Senator TO say that the
surveys and explorations contemplated by this
amendment will consume more time than the
surveys and explorations contemplated by the
| bill Sir. the bill, ~ much rs the amendment,
contempates previous surveys, and, IN order to
ascertain the best the most practicable, the
cheapest route, the route which will best ac-
commodate the commerce and the travel Of
the country, the same preliminary examine
tons will be necessary TO the intelligent de-
cision of the President IA are necessary to the
intelligent decision of Congress. No objection,
then. lies on the amendment upon that score,
which does not lie to the bill.
But it is said further that the amendment
contemplates the employment Of civil engineers
| in addition to the Typographical engineers al
ready in service. Well, sir, the bill contem-
plates precisely the same thing II directs the
employment of the typographical engineers
and it provides that they shall be aided by the
employment of others, mt the discretion of the
President, within certain limits That objec-
ton also lies just as strongly against the bill
as against the amendment 1t is further OBJ
jected that the amendment proposes that pro-
posals for the construction Of the road shall DC
received until the neat session of Congress
That is true but will not the effect of the pro-
visions of the bill be just the same 4! 1t author
ICES a contract by the President with q cOrpo.
ration or company Of individuals Well, sir,
will the President enter into this contract
without proposals Do Senators expect that
he will act blndy upon question Of this i'm
portance Will he not invite proposals for the
construction Of this road Will no not ascer-
tain the best terms upon which il can be con-
structed for the Government? Undoubtedly he
will
The amendment proposes surveys and ex-
plorations So does the bill. II proposes the
employment Of Typographical engineers in con-
nection with the civil engineers employed by
the Government, by companies, or private in
dividuals. The bill proposes the employment
of both descriptions of engineers 1t proposes
to receive proposals from company or corpo-
ration. The bill proposes precisely the same
thing; and the only difference, so far is, that
the bill not merely authorizes the President to
contract with these individuals, but it proposes
also to incorporate them Now, what do we
gain by the adoption Of the bill rather than the
amendmenti
can see nothing for we are told by Sena-
tors who have advocated this measure, that the
explorations which are required TO be made
under the authority of the President, before
entering into any contract with the parties TO
be incorporated under the provisions Of this
bill, will consume tho whole tms between the
act and the next session. What then, do We