Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-05-31

Select Committee proposes to give $40,
900 900 outright to the corporation 10 be
created. This amendment provides, on
the contrary, for receiving propossls
from individuals and compa niesfof ths
construction Of tho road. IT,, Senator
asks, who will make proposals. under the
amendment, when ;hoy know nothing
about the route? Let me ask, tn return,
who will mako proposals under this
bill if they know nothing about tho
route? The objection II valid at all, 10
fatal to the bill as we'll as to tho amend.
mcnt. Butwe all know that proposals
are made and works undertaken upon
general information only. 1t is very
easy for company TO determine what
amounts Of money or land will forn, u
sufficient inducement 10 embark tho
the necessary capital in the construction
OF road between certain tcrmini and on
q given route without minute in(ofma.
ton as to the precise amount of excava.
ton or embankment required, or the ex.
act measurement OF every curve and
grade. What is wanteI is general ex.
ploration survey, information as TO the
character oflhe route, the obstacles to"bo
overcome and the distance TO be lraver.
sci. The fuller the information of course
the better; but the fullest anil most
exact information is not necessary TO
base proposals upon. The Senator,
then, may dismis his fears thar no propo.
sails can b: obtained under this amend.
ment. Let him consider how they arc
to be obtained under the bill.
This amendment, then,is recommend.
el by the considerations of economy.
1t will bring into competition the vari.
Gus companies and individuals who have
though OF embarkng in the cons,ruc.
ton ofths road. 1t will bring comp. i.
ins proposals from the Boston company,
the New York company, and various
other companies organized and to be or.
ganizcI; and who does not see that a.
mons those competitors, there is the
strongest probability, no, only that tho
cheapest, but the best and safest plan
for the people will be brought out!
a great many considerations will en-.
ter into these proposals. The charac.
ter OF the gauge will bc one of them; aal
that, in the present state of our railroad
system, will be one of very considerable
importance. Then there will be the con.
siirralion OF the facilities upon the route
for the construction of the road-tks
supply Of timber, Of iron, of water, an.
o! iooI. Then there will be considera
tons pertaining to the working of the
road alter it is constructed, and chief
among these will be the supply of coal.
The report of captain Stansbury shows
that there is an inxehaus,ible bed Of &C al
upon one olthose routes. We do NOT
know what quantities Of fuel there may
be on the others.
II, then, We adopt the amendment
under consideration, We shall have the
advantage Of information. We shall
have also the advantage of competition.
Aud it is my deliberate judgment that
We shall secure the construction Of this
roal in shorter time, upon better
plan, AMI by better route, than We
shall if we adopt the provisions of the
bill oil the Select Committee. am
!: therefore in favor of this amendment.
lido not wish to consume the time ol
, the Senate by speculations Of mine as
to the great Importance Of this roaI.
thinH see It's advantages as clearly, and
/ appreciate them as fully us other Scna.
, tors; but | shall not dwell upon them
, now. ! will only say, that SO satisfied
) am OF the necessity Of the road nd o
It's vast importance, that ! do not entertain
5 doubt that it viii be construct tod
r Commerce and travel, private enterprise
and private capital will make the road
!. IL Congress shall do nothing. But Con
gress ouy ht to do S mething. Congress
/ representing the people, who are prop,i
t etors oil the vast districts 10 be traverse
t by it, ought to do all that is nee essary
; TO insure not its construction merely, but
Its construction upon the best plan, ovel
' the best route, in the shortest time. The
l a iopllon of the amendment will, in my
+ Judgment, secure all this without con
, ierfins upon the President extraordinary
l powers, and thus establishing prece
I dent which may some day lead 10 conse
G quenees which datrtotism and prudsnc,
4 require us to shun.
r Mr.. COOPER obtained the floor.
0 MIR. MASON. If the Senator desires to
!, address tho Senate on this question,
Will renew the motion which | made {
short time ago To postpone the Iurlhe
consideration Of the subject until to amor
/. row,wlth the view of going into Execu
Q tive session: -g .s9 ies
i The motion TO postpone was agreed te
/. there being, on division ayes 20, noe
# Is.
MORT annex some measurements made Al mI
/. request by u friend. 81 F.fc'
~ liil i.In il zig