The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-05


adoption OF the amendment which has been agreed 10,
you put the most odlous monopoly at each end Of IT,
Another dea--a delusive idea--has been suggested,
and that is that does not diminish the appropriation
that there will be Just much money paid for the road
in The Territories would have been in the States aud
Territories That seems TO be the general burden OF the
argument of the senator from California, MIR WELLER
and The senator from Illinois, and the senator from Wis.
consin Let US see how Il will work. Tbs work is 10
he let out 10 the lowest bidder. Contracts are TO be
made the road is 10 be finished and II the contracts
be made by the mile, will much money be paid
TO the road five hundred miles thousand five
hundred Will there be much paid for road of five
hundred miles through the Territory for one OF one
thousand 1--WE hundred miles Certainly not The road
will be paid for by the mile, and pro payment is 10
be made each fifty miles Is finished, according TO the
provision OF the bill. have been asked, and
asked again. suppose going through the States exhauss
the appropriations Read the bill, and you will it
cannot be done
Mr. WALKER. What portion Of i'll
Mr.. RUSK. Must read il again Here it is:
"That whenever fifty miles OF said road shall have
completed IN manner satisfactory TO the President OF the
Uned States, he shall pro payment be
Is he 10 pay all the money at once No. il is to be pro
rata What does pro rata mean Certainly much
mile, railing the amount finished by the whole length OF
the road
completed IN the bonds oil The government Issued under
the provisions Of this act and by grant Of fourhs OF The
may entite said contractors, &c.
pro rata allowance is to be allowed on each fifty
miles until the road is completed Onehith OF the land
is reserved all the way through as sort OF guarantee
that they shall go on, and when the road Is completed
the reserved oneffth is 10 be paid II that is not plain,
have not the command OF language to make il plain.
If from the reading OF the bill. gentlemen come to the
conclusion, by metaphysical arguments that the whole
of the money could be spent before reaching the Terri
tories, cannot understand IT,
Mr. BELL shall not follow the line OF remark OF
the senator IRON Texas but before the question is taken
upon the proposition which is now before the Senate,
wish to submit few observations and to direct the
attention of the Senate 10 results TO which do
think they have turned their attention AT all events,
il the Senate 90 not care 10 direct their attention in that
way, far anything can say upon the subject will
have effect, trust the country will be made TO under
stand the circumstances and the causes which are likely
to defeat this bill
The proposition of the senator from New York. if
adopted, may save the bill, and it may become law.
By the amendment which adopted on Saturday
ing, and persisted in yesterday, the bill is left in posi-
ton that though il may pass the road cannot be con.
structed No company, capitalists, association of
Individuals will undertake to construct the road the
territory OF the United States, commencing on the west
border OF any one OF the States on the Mississippi
and terminating the eastern border OF the State OF
California And, sir undertake TO state that no such
thing is possible practicable within The limits of any
that exist within the control OF company, or
any association of individuals that will be found in The
MIR. SHIELDS. Will my honorable friend permit me
to submit question TO him He is always fair and can
did. and depend upon him to give his conviction, what
ever is Suppose company undertakes this work. and
that is as he says. necessary to through State. and
that company applies to the State, and obtains from the
State legislature right of way through that State would
not that enable them TO go on and complete The road TO
the Paehc' And is there any reason to suppose that
the State would not grant such right OF way'
Mr.. BELL will say to my honorable friend that if
be has conceded TO him all that belong. TO that PROPOSE
ton, and sufficient means were also given to enable
them 10 build the road within the States together with
the usual privileges of the right OF way &C., il would be
practicable; and the very idea upon which the bill
which il dses not 10 me that the senator from Wis
consin has read with sufficient aention-was framed,
that whatever did undertake build the
road would shIs as preliminary TO their undertaking,
and before they could propose terms TO the President,
have to apply to the Staes and get ample charter OF
privileges and rights in sItenso great as IL is proposed
by the bill TO give to them the Territories, before they
could move one foot in the execution OF the work. II
was upon this ground that The trainers OF the bill sup
posed they violating OF the principes-nay,
sir. not the prejudces-of the liberal or moderate
portion Of what is called the democracy OF this country
Whatever proposed by the bill to be done within the
States whatever control or management OF the road
within the States intended by The BILL IT 10 tie
by and with the assen, and express authority OF the
Legislatures OF the States My proposition u.s. that until
the road is first constructed IN California m which the
western terminus must be located and either IN Iowa
Wisconsin, Missouri, Arkansas or upper Louisi-
opposite 10 Veksburg, whichever OF those States
may have within its limits the eastern terminus, the
shall be provided for the construction OF it. there
is man in his senses who would undertake TO build
the road in the Territory say perfect absurdiy;
is peposerous TO suppose that the road can be built in
any other way than commencing the Mississippi river,
navgabe stream running into II the east, and
on the Pacific; for II is not practicable within any rea
sonable amount OF TO build road over the great
expanse OF the intermediate territory, without having the
OF roads leading through The States and nobody will
choose 10 employ his means with such utter wasieful-
and with little prospect OF proh as TO undertake
10 build this road by commencing II on the western
boundary OF any of the States the western bank of the
Mississippi, and on the eastern boundary OF California.
understand the proposition OF my friend from Illinois
that the company b al undertake 10 construct the
road the territory OF the United States will go to
the States In which the termn located and geta char
Ter.
Mr.. SHIELDS According to the original bill, the
company must go 10 the Stale hrs anyhow Is not that
Mr.. BELL That is true
Mr.. SHIELDS. The company must get the consent
OF the State from the legislature OF the State Now
cordng to my amendment the thing must occur,
only that il gives absolute power TO the State.
MIR. BELL II was intended and supposed 10 be abso-
lutte in the original bill
MIR. SHIELDS. Now, | want TO know how any fair
man say that that amendment killed The bill far
the States concerned, because in either case the
company must 60 TO the State and first get its consent
before it touch inch Of the land in The State.
Mr.. BELL | am perfectly willing TO reply to that
contractors will not be able make the road through the
States after they have got the charter without the grant
OF additional means, The honorable senator from Ar
kansas Mr.. BoRLAsp said the other day that there
land enough 10 hi. State 10 build the road without
any money There is land enough if you will give the
whole OF the public lands within the State OF Arkansas
Would the honorable senator agree TO do that
Mr. SHIELDS As much as they need.
Mr. BELL. He would give as much as they need.
Why not then, propose 30 to amend the bill But what
contend for that within the States bordering the
west bank of the MssissppI do not say how il would
be in other Staies, old newwithIn the limits ordina-
y granted in aid OF the construction Of railroads, the
II. H. 49,. II