The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-10

designated on the Pacihc ocean want that question to
come before the people, that they may discuss il in the
local newspapers, and that they may and understand
the tendency OF the legislation oil Congress
But know OF no way 10 destroy the measure now
proposed, except 10 get The friends OF the dis
agree among themselves hope that dsagreemen
IN progress in relation the points to 10 be selected for
The tefminl OF the road That is the way in which
succeeded, very fortunately with reference 10 the bill
itself hope there is process going with refer
ence TO this amendment which will produce such result
that The friends OF the will not be able 10 agree
upon IT. and We shall gain delay OF year at least for
public discussion and consideration.
now do not mean 10 say, as the honorable senator
from South Carolina understood me 10 say that can
vote Tor amendment of this kind while II retains It's
present form and purpose agree with the senator
IRON Tennessee, that any MEASURE authorizing on The
part OF The government survey, preliminary 10 the ma
king OF the road is concession OF the right OF the gov
ernment 10 make the road-a right that never will con-
cede There is but one form 10 which will accede to
any survey or reconnaissance whatever and 10 that will
accede II gentlemen who have charge OF this subject
will reduce their amendment 10 the provisions of the bill
offered by Mr.. Madison in 1885, which was quoted on
this floor as authority, by the honorable senator from
Texas, will vote Tor cheerluy. But what is that
Why is 10 give authority to make "Reminiscences
and surveys OF the established routes between this and
California, and report them 10 Congress- in order that
Congress may determine which shall be established as
the post route That was the original construction given
10 the clause Of the constitution under which they seek
TO derive power now. am disposed 10 believe il was
the correct construction To that extent the public
ney can be used Tor the purpose of designating eslab
fishing pos-routes, and no further II gentlemen will
put their amendment in that shape will eheeduy vote
Tor IT. but will not go further because deny the power
OF government to expend dollar or to use any por-
ton OF the public property for the purpose OF constructing
any OF these artificial ways
Mr.. BORLAND The senator from Virginia has now
avowed what supposed was the intention OF the ene-
mics Of the railroad bill from the beginning; and he has
also called attention to the fact OF which too
well aware, that the tactics adopted by the enemies OF
the bill have been successful for it's destruction. have
nothing more 10 say on that subject suppose il is
legitimate mode OF warfare
But Mr. President, rise simply to remark upon one
point The senator Is unwilling TO legisa,e in the dark
abou, this matter. lie is unwilling TO adopt
Tor building the road because he does not know what is
TO be the result OF such legislation; he does not know
whether the road is practicable not he does not know
how far the powers of The government will have 10 be
exercised IN the execution OF the measure; and when
another proposition presented we had yesterday,
and have substance day. information necessary
TO iegsate he is against that also. Not only is he
willing To eg slae in the dark but he gainst obtaining
the information which will make our legislation inellg
BILE and practicable; and when come here at the next
session, after this long vacation OF which he speaks du
ring which the be discussed before the people,
and propose then 10 do anything, shall be met by the
senator, and those who agree with him, with the decia
ration that we are sui IN the dark that we have not got
the information necessary TO legisate. And why! Be-
he and those who act with him have denied it to
us and will not let us have ii and then, forsooh,
to be refused Legislation again. because we have not
the information He has opposed our measure now, be-
we have not got the information and when we ask
the means OF getting information, which we have been
using always in regard surveys for making roads and
canals, and harbors, and everything elsewhen SIM
ply ask for the means OF making survey to ascertain
whether the work is practicable or not the senator
fuses even that poor boon.
Mr. MASON. | do not profess TO speak for others,
but the mode OF objection which present is this deny
the right OF Congress TO appropriate either money prop
erty make roads canals in the States hut say
those who differ with me, and who determined 10
make an appropriation IN the majority, il is wise and
prudent: and right that you should make preliminary
inquiry, to know if it be done and at cost.
refuse the preliminary inquiry, because say you have
no power to execute the work after the inquiry is made
but if those who differ with have a majority, IL is
wise first to make the examination TO see if it be
done, and al what cost.
MIR. BUTLER. do not care about defining my posi-.
ton this subject particularly than have done.
opposed to the amendment because it is irregular,
unusual unpariamentay and according 10 the spirit OF
the constitution unconstitutional oppose because IT
proposes TO commit ourselves to the construction OF
railroad, and that engineers shall cooperate with en-
gineers of private associations or corporations.
Mr. CHASE, lin his seat) There is not word in
the amendment about corporations.
Mr.. BUTLER. Il is the thing II is but the
preliminary step for corporation. But would not say,
and ought not 10 say, that would no, go for some
connolsance, because II a majority OF this body and
majority OF the other House. favor OF the road
at least have the privilege reserved myself say where
desire that the road shall be might very well vote
Tor Reconnaissance 10 ascertain the different rou,es and
then might choose between them; but If were to quail
ify The proposition, would vote for Reconnaissance
without saying what kind OF road il should be-wbethe
rairoad or any other Asa military road some other than
a railroad may be the best; bat think If a railroad
ultimately is 10 be made ought not 10 be within twenty
years, anu any fodu OF construction
might be very well used Tor military purposes until that
time. could reconcile myself 10 that could reconcile
myself 10 a reconnaissance generally for a road But
gentlemen not satisfied with that hey say il must
be aiiIoada commercial ralroad-nei,her posi-, road
or military railroad but give much money they
please, 1t must be railroad, and The survey be
made by engineers OF private companies corporations
The senator from Ohio says il is not corporation do
not know what it will come to. Ctesoi etndo will
vouch for u, ever start this you will have a rail-
road, and you will have managed by corporation and
II we violate the constitution ~ any respect, believe
corporation ~ the most convenient. II any
inslrumenalily Expediency has superseded everything
else 10 the administration OF this government. The con-
snlulon ought TO have been long amended are
10 cgslate IN the broad way which is proposed. We
have secunty The minortIes have been stripped of
the Ggs OF the constitution and parliamentary usages
We are at the mercy OF majority, who carry any
measure here, particularly II IT is strong one, and Is
urged by local combinations.
MIR. BALE. | have rerained from joining in this de-
BATE and have contented myself with giving vote
simply rise to express my thanks 10 the senator from
Virginia for the suggestion which he has thrown
and think il the friends OF the Pacific railroad bill are
not little duller and little more obtuse in their per-
cepons, and ulled than think they are, they
will learn something by It, He has said you are a ma
lory here, you have the numerical strength in other
words, you have the brute force but there minority
here among you who have sagacity enough, instead OF
contendng with you, TO set you To conteDang among
yourselves and by this contention among yourselves
defeat your And, sir he demonstrates the fact
that be done by telling you that IT has already been
done that 10, The bill itself That is true There
irner thing uttered IN this Senate and it has
been uae great deal longer than the railroad bill has
been under discussion. That game has been played a
good while longer than that; aud confess, Tor one that
II some minony OF this majority viii have assumption
enough to put themselves up as leaders to control this