The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-10
TE QNN DISTINCTION THURSDAY MORNING FEBRUARY 1853

erprise Now, the honorable senator from Georgia Mr.
DAwsoSl says that OF senses capitalist in this
country OF IN the world, would think OF going into this
hing DO not wish 10 nisrepreeent that honorable
ator. understood him 10 say that would for
moment risk dollar in so wild an experiment as this
Aud the honorable senator irom South Carolina Mr.
bufLEs Tells us-or rather insnuaes, as thought and
judged IRON his remarkslhat he thought the influence
OF capitalists felt in the bringing forward such
proposition as this. As that honorable senator said. il
must result 10 the benefit alone OF the company, who
would 20 on while they could get the land aud the
money, aud then abandon the work. That understand
TO be his argument
Mr.. BUTLER Oh no. sir said only this. That
they would make fifty miles of the road 20 on with the
work that far aad II they found that they could make
profitable eoncern OF II, they would 20 through with il
| II not, then they would quit.
Mr.. BELL. He styled il as experiment. which il
successful would be beneficial the company; il not sue
eessn the experiment would be made at the expense OF
the government.
| Mr.. BUTLER That is what said
Mr.. BELL. That is what | understood him TO say
The honorable senator from Georgia. (Mr. DAWSON !
however, says that no man OF sense would invest doll
lar IN such an enterprise as this Now, repeat the
sument that have before advanced; that If you advance
this road i've hundred miles, only two hundred and
hfty miles even you will have accomplished so much !;
and, with no loss 10 the government you will have short
ened the distance much for the immense trains of emf
grants and they would fnl the time shortened which il
would take them TO reach their destinations and if should
hen be found that the road was inpraccabe they would
have gained that much. and they could then accomplish,
as They did before the passing OF those difficulties which
II might be found impossible tor The iron horse to over
come. Therefore say that there is no such thing no
such idea, as failure this matter, because though may
turn Out that these mountain passes be overcome
by the railroad IN the way proposed, still great advan
tage Will have been accomplished in shortening the dis
lance TO the extent hat The road may be found TO be pac
cabe, and the remainder can be passed hereto
fore
But the honorable senator from Illinois [Mr Doua
LAs] says that there twenty thirty different places
al which these mountains passable and the difficulty
would De 10 ma one OF these depFessions in the
tam ranges that could not be overcome though il NAV
cost much money. But say that if it be done by
money, though It be thrice the contemplated cost OF this
road, II II but be done money is OF consideration in
this matter Ii it does above two hundred or
three hundred Rlllions Of dollars, il well done
that cost But senators say that road like this. con-
nec the valley of the Mississippi with the Pacific ocean
Will cost an immense sum OF money. Well, sir, if il
does-it II shoald cos! Two hundred millions of dollars
which 10 a high eslmae--shoud il cost two hundred
millions, instead oil The one hundred hundred and
i fifty millions contemplated, could we only get it
made upon that condition, for lands and money, for
money alone. the amount would he well expended Does
any gentleman know what would be the cost OF trans,
porting troops and their subsistence the cost OF the
pofalion OF ammunition, OF great guns and supplies OF
all kinds, from here 10 California? should like some
honorable senator 10 tell me what would probably cost
TO send 5000 troops from the valley OF The Mississippi
| through our territories to the Pacific coast
Mr.; UNDERWOOD do not know what that would
cost but am informed that il costs $40 per barrel 10
send Hour to Santa Fe.
| Mr. BELL | am military man my self, but appeal
TO gentlemen who have knowledge upon this sub
lect TO say If It be possible 10 transport five thousand
troops from the valley Of the Mississippi over land to
California and Oregon' Geatemen may say we can ship
them by way OF the lsthmus, by way OF Cape Horn
That may be- in times OF peace, bur time OF you
would be cut on by your enemies lying wait at any
termeiiale point upon The route you might undertake TO
send them over Now appeal TO honorable senators 10
say H. IN view OF these considerations, this road would
not be saving TO US even should 5000 900 900
construct it. What do honorable senators suppose il
would cost us to carry with England or with
France, should we try to hold our possessions the
PACING have no doubt that ii would be found that
the only policy lett 10 US to pursue in the event of
such war, would be 10 abandon those possessions for
llne and let the enemy draw all they could from the
rich mines there, and from the fertile soil, and impose
their dominion upon the people there, until we could
suct navy to meet them upon the and conquer
them there, II you should attempt TO do it by land.
how long would your 200 millions that this road might
cost you last 10 transporting troops, subsistence, and
ammunition 10 that counlryi | say again you would
have to abandon that country to the enemy until you
could construct navy strong enough enable you
cope successfully with your advesares upon the
Should you attempt 10 defend by land the country
might feel II Their duty 10 do how many millions OF dol
lars would II take' That is question for honorable
senators TO consider who opposed to the construc
ton OF this road because II may cost 200 millions Of
dollars.
Now | will undertake TO answer more fully the al.
guments OF honorable senators upon this subject The
committee thought it best for them hold out a
sufficient temptation 10 induce individuals TO undertake
1 TO build this road
MIR. BUTLER. As it is now , o'clock il the hon.
orable senator will give way viii submit motion
4 10 adjourn
MIR. BELL. would rather not | can finish what
have 10 say in a short time
| Several SENATORS Let adjourn now" Better
give way for a adjournment"
Mr.. BELL As II seems 10 be the desire OF the Sem
ate to adjourn, will give way for that purpose.
/ Mr. BUTLER moved that the Senate adjourn.
/ Mr.. RUSk hope the honorable senator will with
draw that motion for moment
/ Mr. BUTLER Withdrew the motion TO adjourn.
I DIR. RUSk. desire simply TO state ths-that do
not wish 10 crowd other business of by this bill, upon
which am very anxious 10 come 10 a vote. ! would
say to the friends Of this measure that II they would
gree TO ii, think could meet here Monday and
get through this bill on that day.
/ Upon motion, upon division, as follows-ayes IL,
noes IL
| The Senate then adjourned.
/ WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY Q, 1883.
/ After The reading of the journal,