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

for the purpose OF perieciing that channel OF com
municatioa over which the commerce OF the eastern
and western world shall pass. Ii We TO stop, and
TO pause, and 10 consider-ii 10 be deferred in
our course because we do not know precisely what
are TO DC The temin OF this road the precise d.
recilon which II shall take shall progress
suuc,ion-we may lose this commerce Now, / am will,
lihg 10 make liberal appropriations, and would make
them from our lands. aud if they 90 made would
merce. and there should be tolls levied either upon
persons trade. other than those which would be just
adequate to keep The road in operation and in repair
That is my view of this subject; and at a proper time
shall, perhaps. take the opportunity enforce that view
upon the consideration OF the Senate.
The proposition OF the honorable senator from Texas.
reported here, and now before u.s. has many provisions
in il which am in favor Of But there is provision
10 which do not like and that the one which leaves
this subject in the hands OF company, and gives them
too much power tgves them the authority TO levy
tolls al too high rate But do not propose to discuss
this matter at this time. rose merely Tor the purpose OF
stating only those reasons which sufficient, IN my
Judgment, TO induce me to vote against the amendment
proposed by the honorable senator from Pennsy
Mr. BAYARD. II is not my purpose to discuss the
merits OF this bill but it seems to that the question
whether this work is practicable not includes The ques
ton of its probable cost II is certainly reference 10
all contracts of individuals; it is in reference to
tracts of States aud presume the same principle will
hold reference 10 contracts in which the United States
are concerned With time andnmoney doubl not that
this work can be made; but h you have bill intro.
daced which in effect creates great corporation and,
without ntrusng any discr don 10 the future President
OF the United States, he is compelled TO contract If the
road practicable within the OF capacity, TO have
1t done, without Limitation OF price, or OF any kind what
ever And will you not be bound by his conlractS II 10
true you have introduced provision for twenty millions
OF bonds, TO be prepared for the purpose OF making the
road and also for the appopria of alternate sections
OF land Tor the same purpose but The contract TO be made
has Limitation OF price all. The President is bound
TO make the contract, under the provisions OF the bill If
the road is deemed pracucabe-tha is, if it can be done
within any space of time with any amount of money.
For one, sir, shall never agree to the construction OF
such road until ! know whether it can be made with
in the which, regarding the treasury OF the United
States and the interests OF the people OF this country,
may be considered practicable. Unless | can be con-
WINGED that it is practicable road in that sense, can
never vote for it, Nor do pledge myself TO vote for it
even then.
The honorable senator from California [Mr. WELLER]
has chosen to apply remarks in reference to the subs
tue offered by the senator from Pennsylvania, MI.
BRoDHEAD and 10 lmpute to him want OF confidence IN
the discretion of the future President | may be al
lowed to say, when look at this bill as It stands. that
here is project 10 create a corporation with power
which, il il created, will be fouIfoId the power
OF that corporation against which the democratic party OF
the United States warred for series OF years Ii
10 now proposed to create corporation OF the same Kind
and TO enter into contract without Limitation as TO cost
You have information whatever TO the cost from
any survey or reconnaissance whatever, or whether,
when the road is made it can even be made to pay the
expenses OF and tear in order to keep 1t up You
have no information at all and when substitute is
proposed for The purpose of getting at INSTRUMENTATION TO
ascertain whether the road is practicable, and obtain
some estimate OF the time and money that will be re-
WELLERl tells the senator from Pennsylvania lMr.
BRoDHEAD that, whether designedly not, he shows
OF confidence in the discretion OF the next President
OF the United States Allow me to say TO the senator
from California, that, if Judge from the anecedens
of The next President of the United States, this bill,
whether you have a reconnaissance or not--and am
free to declare, the bill stands reconnaissance or no
Reconnaissance can never vote for it-this bill never
have the sanction OF Franklin Pierce when he be-
comes President Of the United States Judge from his
previous in the Senate OF the United Staes and
p az
what believe the OF the democratic party since
the time General Jackson vetoed the national road bill
down 10 the time when this proposition is made. do
to leave those principles any ground OF ex-
pedeDcy, or on account OF any magnificent ideas enter
tanned By the senator from Maine Mr. HAMLIN] as to
the benefits 10 be derived by the commerce of the coun-
try. There is question 10 me always Independent OF
the benefit e Ie cpntsrIsd aaa haAs hsihe8 WI
| oil the goyernment-w whether II is in the power OF
the government under the constitution TO create such
corporation as is here proposed And further than
the question OF constitutional power there ques-
ton whether the corruption OF the irresponsible power
vested IN such corporation would not be greater than
al The benefits to commerce flowing from the consruc-
ton oil such road rather think that this question,
hero almost at the close OF the second session OF the
Thirty second Congress- when the people OF this country
by their late vote have changed the political power OF the
senator from California Mr.. WELLER] that the incoming
President OF the United States, looking 10 his previous
opinions, might never be brought to sanction bill to
make such road this aud that IS the why 1t
IS proposed at this tme without any preliminary surveys
at all. to construct such gigantic work this
shall vote for the amendment OF the senator from
Pennsylvania. My convictions very strong upon
this subject; and | cannot perceive on what possible
ground except that of fear What will be the action
oil the future President of The United Staies-fear of an
intention on hs part 10 prevent from becoming law
bill involving radical and entire change in the poll
ICY oil the democratic paryl cannot perceive except upon
such ground, why this bill is be forced through with
out preliminary survey and ascerainment of the prob
able cost OF the work. and without any OF in
formation 10 whether the road is practicable or not
Mr. BRIGHT. believe, Mr.. President that time will
be saved by senators briefly indicating their opinions IN
reference TO the important before us-the
bill presented by the senator from Texas, tMr RusK
and the bill proposed by the from California Mr.
GwM do not propose at this time, nor do want at q
subsequent time, TO enter into general discussion oil the
principles involved in this bill; but have word to say
before adjourn, in reference the bill offered by the
senator from Texas. | am aware that railroad from
any point western frontier 10 the Pacific ocean
would be held the people Of the United States generally
as iavor1e measure. IL is popular measure. II is
one that will be approved by the great mass, provided
such measure be based upon proper principles and
10 avowing my oppositon-analterable oppostion-to
this bill, as II reads, do intend TO indicate thai
would not vote for such bill as, in my judgment
would come within The legitimate limits OF the constu-
ton. But for the bill OF the senator from Texas never
can voe--never will vote. 1t starts out by designating
the President elect of the United States the president
this road Now, have lately voted for that gentleman
for President OF the United States; and think from