Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-05-21

Total length of railroad to be constructed 15
The proposed to construct this railway and
branches grant from Congress of public land to the
States Of Louisiana Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa. California
and an appropriation for the construction of the road
through the Territories of aggregate quantity of
49, 4OO square miles, 81 ,536 900 and this APP
preparation is to the expenses of Pacific railway
and branches of 400 miles because from the aggregate
length of miles be deducted the Texas branch
nasmuch the Government Of the United States has
public lands to grant within the limits Of that State.
Upon this point avail myself Of the occasion at this
stage Of the proceedings say that although Texas will
find rich reward by her unaded construction of the road
through her territory in the enhanced value Of public
domain, and the development Of her immense agricultural
resources and by eventually securing her full share Of
our domestic and foreign trade yet this railway s
all intents and purposes ROAD within the spirit
and letter of the 9Th section of the lst article Of the Con-
stituton delegatng express power in Congress to es
tablsh post Offices and post roads, think it but just
and fair that she should be placed upon equal footing
with the public land States through which the Pacific rail-
way will pass; and cannot give her Government
lands within her limits, should aid her in the con-
rucon Of the road by the payment of money Of the
National Treasury have doubt of the constitutional
power Of Congress to do So and shall feel bound ut the
proper time TO advocate and upon the attention
the Senate the proprety and justice of such
Recurring, then, to the provided by this bill
the construction Of this Pacific railway, find that the
quantity of land proposed be granted equals stated
900 acres which, at 81 25 per acre. the minimum
price Of the public lands, would amount the sum Of
SlZ 9OOOOO for the construction of 400 miles Of road
leaving out Of the calculation, for the indicated
the Texas branch, WHICH makes up the whole length Of
/ lilo mile for the main trunk and branches.
Ihis sum Will allow average for constructing the
ROAD OF 100 per mile We find that the actual ave-
rage cost Of railways through the United States
sne sssssipp according to the report only
9-tooo per mile And il must be noted that this sum
the cost Of the lands purchased for the track
ron private individuals, material item Of expense not
incident to this railway
may oe ADDED further that in the report al
iuueo 70 sZoOOO Is set down as reliable estimate for
,e Expense per mile in the new States and have no
aouo at the improved facilities of construction will re-
uuce .e cost below this estimate yet even at that as
gu the provision made would be something
k 91,Voo greater per mile than the cost reported
Vow, the great point is for the Governmen Of the
oneu STATES 70 take tn" initiative in this measure and
70 enter upon " IN earnest At once the popular mind
WIZ DC inspired with confidence Of success the public
VIII ana energy Will be Immediately upon IL
ana hese yeong TO no check not dismayed by nnv oh
the work will be accomplished 'fo'S Wv" "i"o"
The bill now presented fixes the shortest and mos, feo
sbIe route every mile Of it having been explored anil
over considerable surface Of which even now
wagon routes exist. ~ ~
The reports OF our army officers and others NJ e.nra
tons north and south and in the vicinity Of its line
sent the country as remarkably level with ferts aoiI