Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-03-29

briefly 10 stake out the lines for the iu
ture historian, that neither moro no
less than justice may be done to thos
WHO have participated in tho dellbera
tions which promises uch momcn'ous 'c
suits.
Early in the lest session OF the las
Congress, Senator Gwin prepared a BIZ!
which he introduced without The sane
ton OF any committee, and asked II
have it made a special order for Ger
tain day. After some debate it was lai'
upon the table, end onaher bill maxim;
provision for an emiglant route va
made the special orlsr, to which Mir
Gwin gave notice that he sholll moy'
his bill ns an amen lmcnr.
By this ARRANGEMENT Mr.. Gwins bill
wa, removed flom the consi crai:on o
the Committee on roads and Canals
consisting Of Messrs. Bri. hl of ndiana
Douglas OF Illinois, Chase Of Ohio, Ad
ans Of Mississippi. and Spruancc Of Del
swarc. It is doing the parties interest
cl Ia with rawing Gwin's bill from this
committee, no injustice 10 say, that they
id not wish i. TO be under the control OF
committee, mujofiry Of which was
from the northwest. The hole struggle
OF The session was 10 secure southern
route.
When the Fmiarant Route hll came
up, Mr.. Gwin moved his bill as 4 subs,.
,u,c, anl ii was accepted as such. Mr..
Chase then moved AN amendment, the
effect of which was to strike out the halt
ozen branch roa.ls provided for in Mr..
Gwin's bill, AMI TO provide GoI sin. l.
roal with an eastern terminus on the
Missouri river. S,veral days debate
followed.
ming this amendment Of Mr.. Chase
a select committee was appointed, con.
sistin. OF Mcssrs. Eusk Of Texas, Gwin
of California, Do Ice of Iowa, Davi,
Of Massachusetts, ami another no, now
recollec,el, TO which was relcrrel a bill
AMI memorial relating 10 the railroad,
for the purpose Of giving jurisdiction ov.
cr the subject. The committee rcpore,i
bill proviiing for SIM roal, 10 be
constructed by a corporation, aided by
grant Of alternate sections TO the
quantity Of about fifteen ,lons Of acres
and by the vance of twenty millions
of dollars in government b"nls. The
determination Of all questions rela,n9
10 The route, termIn!, Tue contract for
construction, and the or. onizaton Of Ike
association or corporation w;re lief, to
the | resident.
tbs bill ncounteri strenuous opos.
lion from the start. An amen imnnt was
movel by Mr.. BrodheaI, requiring the
survey of single route. This amend.
msnt was modified, on the motion of Mr..
Chase 50 as 10 require surveys aud cX.
plora,ions of such routes as the Prcsi,
den, mi ght think the public inicres; re.
Inrcl, by government engineers ana
others employed for the purpose, AMI to
provi,,e for conccr; OF action between
the eorrnmcnt employees aud the en- IL.
ears Of private companie,, AMI for tue re'
cep'lon OF proposals for construction 10
be lail before Congress at the next ses
sion.
This am9n linen, failol, anl the bill.
after severe struggle, failed also.
Mr.. Gwin then oTcrcl the same
amendment, further modified By Mr..
Chase 50 as to provide for the division
of the exploring :o-ee into rs many par.
ties as there were rov,es to be surveyed.
requiring that the reports Of exploration
shoull be laid before Congress a, the
next session. hy the frs, Monl lag OF t'eo.
The amendment, as Offered by Mr..
Gwin, was ruled ou, Of rier, because /
lil not come from a standing commit
tee.
Mr.. Chos. then took his amen lmeni,
aud having consulie! the committee on
Roads and Canals, and obtained their
sanction, offered it HIMSELF and, after a
protraciea contes; and serious danger Of
Le(ea, by amen imenis which would
themselves have been rejected, it was a.
greed TO by vote Of 81 10 Il.
In the House, IN der a misapprehen,
sion, tie valuable pro,i. ions permi,tin.
en-, inecrs OF private companies to act in
concert wiih those of the government.
and requiring the Secretary Of War TO
receive proposals. ior construction, were
stricken out; but the main features Of
the amendment are now law, ana will
doubtless constitute the legislative iniiia.
tive Of the greatest work Of modern times