The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-25

4 paying
~ and the contractors, who the corporation
Joy all the rest OF the profits TIL are the
OF the bill II does provide that they transport the
mails and troops OF the United States it. suppose
the mails and troops Of the United States could be
ported over such road for some half million of dol
lars; or , i0r million, putting il at the outside.
Mr: huSh. Will the senator allow me 10 ask him a
Mr. MASON. Certainly. -. .a...
Mr. RUSk Does the senator suppose the appropria-
ton made in the bill will be sufficient for the consuc-
tIon OF the road and putting it in working order?
:, MT. MASON. The appropriation in land and money !
No, Sir Undoubtedly the government will have to pay
more 10 make the road, because there be earthly
doubt on the part of those who have had any experience
on this subjectand have had more than the sena-
tors from Texas and Caiforniahat when this govern
menl once puts It's finger 10 work. is committed and
mere VIII never be dollar expended in the construction
q the road that does not come out OF the federal treasury
IN ihe shape oil land money.
| Mr.. RUSK do not want to interrupt the honorable
SENATOR but must correct him there The point is this
he says there will be dollar expended in the con-
srucon OF the road that does Of the federal
Mr. MASON Never.
MIR RuSK. The provisions of the bill are express
that not dollar shall be paid in money! nor one acre
OF land be gwen to these men, till they have finished par
tcular amount OF the road-ull they have with their own
means gone on and finished fifty miles. And 1t is ex-
pressy provided that they shall enter into contract on
these Terms, that they shall receive dollar in money
from the public treasury, single OF land until II
IL done
Mr.. MASON What does that amount to Why.
nothing in the world but this that instead of paying for
yoar work as it goes on, we will pay you when fifty
miles OF the work are done that instead of paying from
DAY 10 day, or from week 10 week, or from month to
month, or mile after mile, we will pay when fifty
miles are completed So, also, you are to make a
reservation esa O. poron-l believe one,ffth-of the
land which fifth is TO be given TO them after the work
shall be completed But il does assail, in the slight
est degree, the proposition with which set out that this
Is TO be constructed, 50 far as the bill goes, wholly
out of the treasury of the United States, treating the
land as money for It Is part of the public properly Of
the United States Although you are to pay the con-
tractors after they shall have made fifty miles of the
road and 80 on Tor every fifty miles, yet, far the
source OF expenditure s concerned last from
the treasury, and in that view it is perfectly immaeria
how the payments are made, for every mile every fifty
miles Now, who doubts that il this appropriation,
which consists OF $40 900 900 in money, and breadth OF
land twenty-four miles wide in the Territories, and
twelve miles wide in the Staes is sufficient to build
the road, when government is embarked in it, the
tractors will get much may be necessary and in
precisely the same way which they the present appro
Pr'aiion by getting majority in Congress to vote it.
We have had some experience the subject OF the
nexon OF the government with these private enterprises
What is our experience with the Collins line of steam
ers Government contracted to advance certain sum
OF money to carry the mail, and they here and be-
sought Congress 10 enlarge IT, because they could not
carry it at that price The opposition said, put up the
an s and s = s
tractors, and no, said the legislative department of the
government we will not put il INTO competition; these
men are IN our employment; the public faith is commit
ted 10 them And the doors OF the treasury open
ed to them.
There is another provision in this bill on which, in
this connexion, should like 10 comment The provis-
ION is this-one that the senator from Illinois Mr..
DouGLAs said, few days ago, furnished ample security
TO the governmenttha If the contractor fails TO comply
with his contract his work shall be forfeited Forfeit
ed And who ever heard OF a forfeiture enforced
which was caused by failure of that kind Why sir,
between man and man. equals in society," the courts OF
justice are open, for the purpose OF relieving party from
such forfeiture. Il is done every day Foreitures
| odious in law, even between man and man, and what
would be forfeiture between citizen and the govern
mentf Ii would not be enforced nobody would ask A..
And il Il were enforced, what becomes OF the property
Where do you find clause in the constitution making
this government The resduary legaee of bankrupt
iracior 10 take his effects and administer them for the
benefit OF government Yet by the provisions of this
bill, IT is declared that he do comply with his
tract, government may take not only the work he has
done, but his effects, making the government, as have
said, the reslduary egaiee OF bankrupt contractor Sir
IT will never be DONE II the contractor fails TO comply
with his contract and remains there ready 10 go on, he
will be rensaied, and more money will be given him 10
90 on WITH especially he ISL pet OF the Executive, or
has political influence
| should like 10 know-ior il has been a part Of my
professional duty to be engaged in the construction OF
laws-what ~ the meaning OF the bill when says, IN
the thirteenth section, the corporators are TO be "he
contractors, their associates, and SUCCESSORS" Who are
the associates OF these contractors Who are 10 form
contractors are. Thomas Wilson proposes 10 contract 10
build certain portion of road for given SUN or,
Thomas Wilson and John Thompson, with Others pro-
pose 10 contract. They are associated together, bat
they the contractors But who are TO be the assoei-
aes oil the contractors
Mr. BUTLER New York partners.
Mr. PRATT Those who take stock:
Mr.. MASON. What stock The bill authorizes the
issue OF government bonds. What sort OF stock is pro-
| vided for
Mr. WALKER. The company issue stock
/ Mr. MASON | have not that provision, and
looked through the bill very carefully. IL author
izes the company, as corporaton 10 do all acts which
a corporation may do TO carry into effect the provls
ions Of h. act Buti they to be authorized to issue
| stock
| Mr.. TOUCEY "Cer,ihcales OF stock are provided
| for in the thirteenth section.
| Mr. MASON, would like to see that provision OF the
| bill
Mr. WALKER pointed il out to the honorable senator
i IL reads as follows;
"They may also open books and issue certificates o.
stock and perform all other carry into Of
/ lect the provisions her elm contained"
| MIR MASON. Well, sir, had not seen it, looked
through this thirteenth section to what these corpo
raios to do, and confess that the authority given
to them TO issue Certificates OF stock" did escape my at
tenton What is the stock for Stock in what Rail-
road stock presume, in the "Pachc Railroad and 1ee-
graph Company inviting subscriptions by an assoca-
tion with the contractors, making them part OF the cor
porators, and EMIT ing them 10 part OF The pfonts
should like TO the machinery BY which tina, coud pc
done should like to how these certhcates OF STOCK
will read should like TO see them presented 20 me resi-
dent for his appreciation TO be conferred upon ns Pe
class of contractors should like to see he prvheses
and immunties and advantages that the executive pat
ronage NAV deal to these contractors or tnef as
sociaes or successors. Who are The 'successors,"
The bill says .he contractors then associates, and sue
cessors suppose they the assgnees OF The stock
holders /.
which the United States government is TO bold barren
s,oek and and associates the profitable
nroducye stocks ii that is the character Of H. " the gov