Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1853-03-03
speoch of Mr.. Gever.

Mr. PRESIDENT, regard the amendment
submitted by the Senator from OHIO, as ve-
ry Important in view Of The frame Of this
bill 1t proposes to fix the terminus Of the
road, and of one road only somewhere on .
the Missouri river, between Independence, |
the westernmost town in Missouri, and |
Kanesville, Iowa. If that proposition pre-
walls, it will be destructive to the bill. The |
bill is predicated upon the idea that the road
is to be made by public lands, and that the
branches are to be made in the same way.
If you make grant of land of forty miles
in width, and on either side, you cut off all
connection with any branches to be made IN
the same way.
The bill contemplates forming connec-
ton with the system Of railroads on the cas-
tern side OF the Mississippi, and to furnish
TO the branches termini in connection with
that system; but if this amendment prevails
and you make a single road, appropriati,g
the lands forty miles in width, without max
ing any provision of the branches, every
system of eastern railroads, if not in imme-
date connection with the main road, will
be. 1t will thus be seen at once that ifprovi-
sion be not made for passing through the
territory Of the United States beyond the
boundary Of the States, and you make the
terminus on the Missouri river, every sys-
TEN Of roads south Of that will depend upon
Missouri and Iowa for permission to form a
connection with the road. Thus, if YOU
pass q bill making but one road to be built
by public lands, and make no provision for
branches, you disable the States, or the com
panies that may have already made roads,
from forming any connection with the laain
trunk.
1t becomes important, therefore, if these
roads are TO built out Of the proceeds Of pub
lie lands, or by grant OF lands that proyi-
sion should be made for every branch that
may be necessary to connect the main trunk
with the system OF railroads en- the east side
Of the Mississipp.t The bill is defective in
some particulars; but, at all events, it will
require some more legislation before we can
proceed on inc plan proposed. Il will be
remembered that is is proposed 10 make
these roads through the Indian county,
through lands belonging 20 some tribes Of In
dams who have guarantee Of perpetuiry,
and 1t becomes necessary in the first place
to extinguish the Indian tribe, and 10 get
some right to transfer those lands. and not
burden those who may undertake 10 make
the road with the extinguislment of the
right of possession or occupancy held ly
those Indians.
have now few words TO say to those
gentlemen who propose to fix the terminus.
The honorable Senator from Kentucky pro-
poses to fix it at the mouth Of the Ohio
If this railroad is ever built from the from
tier States Of the West to the Pacific, il must
be put in connection with some means for
the transportation of lie material. Eighty
tuns OF iron per mile, at least, will be re-
CURED according to this bill; and to take u
point opposite the mouth Of the Ohio. not
connected with any means of trans portation
to the point at which this road is TO be com
nenccdg isto charge these WI % are TO build
hwish MI expense almost equal 10 the cost
of tie iron. How will you transport i?-
II You do not connect with some line o.
railroad or some water transportation. how
can you carry the material 10 the point of
beginning except by inland transportation,
by natural roads over country very un-
suited, especially opposite the mouth ofthe
Ohio, for land transportation? | have no
sort OF objection TO fixing the terminus Of
the road and making single road provided
while we do intend TO build it out Of the
public lands, CT from tie treasury, provi-
SION is made for connecting it with the sys-
tens on the east side Of tie Mississippi
Icannot vote for the Prorositlsn Of lie hen
orab!e Senator from Ohio for flat reason,
and think we cannot undertake to make
the road upon the plan Of this bill by cstaJ-
fishing any one line without provision for
branches.
The honorable Senator from Ohio will
find that unless that terminus should be in
connection with the central system running
through the State of Ohio, that system would
be cut off, or whenever you may attempt to
make the connection within the Slate Won
vii! be dependent upon other States for the