The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-04


proposition of The gentleman nom Pennsylvania. which
he chooses TO designate preliminary question 10 be
decided an regard TO The construction OF this road II
offered here for the sole purpose OF defeating this bill and
il can have il adopted other force effect do mol
charge any improper motives upon the honorable
tori but that Is precisely the effect which his amendment
viii have il adopted, viz 10 defeat this bill Tor the pres
session OF Congress. Now If this bill is to be de-
feate6 and majority of the Senate are against buldEk
this railroad TO the Pacific ocean. willing decide
that question at once do not wish to consume the
tune OF the Senate upon this matter II majority OF this
body are opposed TO H. But il had the time to spare,
il time permitted, should like 10 go into an argument
upon this matter, because il brings up the whole qaes
ton for argument should like to 60 into an argument
upon this BILL TO show the commercial necessity, the po-
tcal necessity, the national necessity which exists Tor
the construction OF this road upon the best plan that Con-
gre1s can agree upon.
| should like also to 20 into some reasons upon the
subject which would affect the honorable senator from
Pennsyyana aud interest his observation-disclosures nor
only affecting them, but affecting the country al large
bill for the construction OF this road shall pass through
Congress- there will be required at the least calculaon
$40 ,000O90 worth of iron, which would be per cent
upon investment of capital 10 the amount OF $780,
600 900 Now, il the honorable senator from Pennsyl-
vania chooses TO throw obstacles IN the way OF matter
much benehtng his own State, sun must obecl 10
his throwing obstacles in the way OF what VIII behet
the whole United States. Iron is an important item win
il important for domestic purposes III tme OF peace,
aud il is all important for national purposes IN ime OF
war; and we shall need all the country and upon
the Pacific ocean, and the construction OF this road Will
invest more capital my word for and thai has hereto.
fore been the difficulty in the producon oil lron-Will
measure that You can pass Ii will give, in the laying
out and construction OF this road, the means ior using
iron to great extent and, besides that will hold OUT
what is a-mporant, permanent market Tor tue pro-
duce OF investments in iron mines
But am not DESTROYS of consuming the time oil this
Senate ! am very anxious to have s vote
MIR. MANGUM obtained the floor.
MIR. BRODHEAD. Will the honorable senator from
North Carolina (Mr. MANGvMl allow me 10 say one
MI Mr.. MANGUM. | desire to say but very few
words. regard the amendment, proposed by the honora,
BILE senator from Pennsylvania Mr. BRoDHEAD as in all
respects properly characterized by the honorable senator
from Texas, Mr.. RUsK] 1t IS to try the question:
whether these pelimnares shall be adopted together
with the provisions in the committees amendment pro-
vdng for the construction of this entire road or whether
entirely from any general bill for the construction ohs
ralroadtha is to let the explorations and surveys be
made now. and then egslae upon the question OF build
ing this road hereafter Now am perfectly willing to
meet this question In that respect do not diff
Ter from the honorable senator from Texas II it be the
OF this body TO pass any law providing Tor the con-
their action upon the proposition of the senator from
Pennsylvania That proposition, however slmPle' Is de-
Mr.. RUSK. win the honorable senator from North
Carolina allow me moment 10 explain'
Mr.. MANGUM. Certainly; with pleasure
Mr.. RUSK. The first section OF the substitute OF the
select committee provides that the President OF the unl-
ted States shall! select the route for this road.
Mr.. MANGUM. understand that perfectly.
Mr. RUSK. ltprovides that the President shall select
the general for this road Prior to his doing that
however and in order TO enable him 10 act properly and
judciously all the means OF the topog corps,
and of many gentlemen among the corps OF civil engl-
neers placed at his disposal for the purpose of giving
him the necessary preliminary information 10 satisfy his
Judgment as to what IS the proper Tose.
Mr.. MANGUM. That | understand, and IN that re-
spect the substitute reported by The senator from Texas
embraces substantially everything that is contained in
the proposition OF the senator from Pennsylvania, with
this addition, that the Senate is called upon to vote
upon the policy Of leaving the location OF this road in
the event of any oue being found TO be practicable, to
the discretion OF the President OF the United States;
which think should be done, as, in my opinion, some
person must be clothed with discretion upon this sub
ect 1t is proposed TO leave to the discretion of the
President in the event OF practicable route being found,
the question whether not the work shall Immediately
discussion which we have had upon this subject IN
prelImInares VIII make IT sale; but then the only
difficulty which will arise If this work is commenced,
will be in the event OF the chosen route being found i'm
practicable and future legislation can arrest that and
the President of the United States least refuse 10
proceed until that difficulty is obvated. So that at this
Time the deciding between the proposition intended to
be offered by the senator from Pennsylvania, and the
amendment now before reported by the senator from
Texas, only decides this question whether will
ling TO go into this matter at once-for these premi-
naries are provided for in the committees amendment
now before TO postpone any denitve action upon
the construction OF this road until these preliminary mat
tiers shall be first decided | am willing TO take the
question at once and shall vote against the amendment
of the senator from Pennsy wanna
Mr.. BRODHEAD. My honorable friend from Texas
and my honorable friend from North Carolina perfectly
understand the purppr OF my proposed amendment which
to defeat the proposition reported by the senator from
Texas
Mr. MANGUM. We are ready to meet tina, ques-
ton at once.
Mr. BRODHEAD. That is my object and for this
reason do not believe that any wise company any
wise government has ever yet commenced work OF this
and character, even of half this nilude
without FIRST ascertainng whether it is practicable Now
propose to have survey and reconnaissance of this
route as preliminary measure, and then leave future
action upon the subject TO Congress- and the Pres
ident That is the sole difference between the two prop
ostons believe that before Congress ought 10 act de-
hnitively upon this subject ought TO have recon-
nossance and survey, and that the immediate represent
atives OF the peope-those who away the peoples
moneyought to know for what object and for what pur
pose that money is to be expended. The proposition
which submit, in nay judgment, indicates the proper
mode to commence our action upon this question OF
railroad to the Pacific ocean. Ii is the way in which
all other people, all other companies all other govern
ments, commence the prosecution of railroads.
Now, one word in answer to what my friend from
Texas has said in regard TO iron. Notwithstanding we
expect to furnish a considerable portion OF the iron
for this road when il is TO be built still want
to commence il in the right way, that furnish
the proper quantity and can do that well as any
other people But presume that if iron is desired to
build this road, very considerable quantity OF it will be
got from Missouri, that State is much to where
this road will commence than is the State OF Pennsyl-