The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-18

of ten civil engineers should they be necessary by the
President addition TO the whole corps OF opog
engineers which placed at has disposal 10 make hese
very explorations and surveys. -
| Another objection to the bill was, that when we shall
have all these additional surveys and examinations Con-
gess ought to make the designation OF the ermni and
general route OF the road will only repeat IN reply TO
this objection what stated on former day-that every
gentleman oil experience IN Congress must ana does
know that upon line OF thousand miles, IRON Texas
to the lakes The western frontiers, there are so many
points having pretty strong plausible grounds OF prefer
enee many conflicting and local interests and leaouses
will exist that eneed never expect the members OF thetwo
houses oil Congress to agree upon the ermnhe eastern
terminus at all events, OF this great road II has been
suggested TO leave TO scientific boarda board OF
gneers and geoogists-to designate what would be the
best route for the public interest," the which could be
constructed with the greatest economy and would admit
OF The greatest speed In the Judgment OF the committee
which framed this bill the TO that was that such
board would have great difficulty in agreeing among
themselves that its members would be liable to the i'm
puiaon OF being influenced by capitalists and their local
interests and paralities; and that the public would not
have much confidence in il they would have in the
President of the United States
Another suggestion is, that II such a scientific board
report to Congress which. in its opinion would
be the best route it would be safer plan. In regard
TO that, repeat that there would probably appear to be
so e difference between some Two or three OF the pro-
eced routes that individual members Of Congress would
say, Here is not so great difference between the sew
eal routes examined that should be called upon to
render my own private judgment upon the subject, and
the interests OF my constituents" We all know that the
whole interest OF the Northwest in favor of northern
| route the middle States of the West are in favor of
| some intermediate roate and the most southern and
southwestern States must naturally prefer the most south
| route. Where is there route which has so great
an ascendency all others in reference TO the great
questions OF practicaby, economy, and speed, and
due regard TO the commercial interests the protection,
and defence OF the whole country as 10 command the as
sent OF majority OF either house OF Congress Such
thing need moi be expected
Gentlemea say why should we trust the President in
designating the route of this great national work an
swer, because cannot agree among ourselves. II Is
said that il is too great subject TO trust to any man
no matter how high in authority But we can do moth
ing without putting trust in man. We trust the Pres
iden with the great and important duties connected wth
the execution OF the laws and the executive power OF
government and why should we not trust him win
this He has higher responsibility, and may, with
more confidence, trust him than any one else.
Then, when the question who should designate the
ermni and general route of the road settled an
other question Shall the road be built shall the
work be done by the employees OF the government, or
be handed over 10 individual enterprise will not re-
peat my argument that subject AS to the patronage
and influences which to grow out OF it, the opinion
of the committee, and think il will be the opinion OF
every sensible member of this body, that would
be far dangerous give the construction OF such
road this that may not be completed even in twenty
years, for anything we know, to the Executive than to
private individuals or companies. The vast number OF
government agents and superntendents and other en-
poyees. required in carrying such work; the vast
amount of money to be dsbused and expended, would,
themselves, constitute amount OF patronage equiv
aent 10 that of many independent governments OF the
earth BY committing the execution OF the work TO pr-
vate enterprise, avoid the wasteful expenditure al
ways attending the construction OF public works under
government direction and CONTROL and at the same time
escape the coupng influences of increased patronage in
the hands OF the Executive.
But We told that any company OF contractors Tor
the construction OF such gigantic work will have vast
and dangerous influence Ia reply TO this, say that the
chief and greatest interest OF the private capitalists who
may undertake to build this road, according to the pro-
visions OF this bill, will be construct the road in the
perfect and durable manner and all the Influences
they will naturally be employed IN having
the work completed in the shortest me and with the
greatest economy 1t is said that we propose to ncorpo
the contractors, and all the prsudces usually enter
taned against corporations and monopoles, and the dan
gerous influences which they sometines WELD, are ap
peaed TO and exaggerated in order to drive members from
the support OF this But here again the inter
est of the corporation company any there shall be,
will happily, under the checks and limitations provided
IN this bill, all be concentrated in the successful compile
ilon OF the road and the prosperous operation and skill
full management of IT, Their interest and the interest
OF The public will be Identical We need have fear
that they will the funds granted by the govern
men for they will be under bonds 10 supply all defcien
cies OF their pockets. Bat il corporations
Objectionable strike that part Of the bill which grants
such privileges. Incorporated companies would undoub
edy possess greater advantages and facilities in the pros
ecuon OF such undertaking than private individuals;
bat corporate privileges no, essential, and may be
dispensed with The honorable senator from South Car
ona says that Congress has TO create corpo
ration suppose he means within the limits oil State.
ut such thing is proposed; and whether Congress
has that power not, the friends oil the bill do not
mean to insist upon H.
The bill contempates ha, the States through which
the road may will grant corporate privileges to the
leges TO the territory of the United States If that be the
sentiment of the Senate But understand the senator 10
question even whether have the power TO incorporate
company in the Territories for the purpose OF construct
ing this road He argues that If II the duty OF the gov
make this road and has the power to do so,
1T trust, and cannot delegate IT TO corporation
Whence then have found proper-and II has been
pracsed without objection from the foundation OF the
government-io territorial governments They are
corporations OF the very highest class and we delegate
10 them the most important powers that we bavepow-
of legislation, powers OF government We in some
instances govern the people OF Territory without rep
resentaion territorial eg slature Oar powers
sovereign and plenary the Territories But, repeat
that II incorporated company s dsasefu strlke out
the clause which proposes 10 create There are suf
cieni inducements for private capitalists without any
corporate privileges, trust, 10 engage IN this en'er
prise.
Another objection made TO this bill is, the gigantic
scale OF the projected enterprise. grand idea u
continent of three thousand miles IN extent from east TO
west reaching from the Atlantic TO The Pacihc, ~ 10 0e
connected by a railway Honorable senators will re-
member that over thousand mesone-th third ot this
whole expanse OF the continentthe work already
complshed and that chiefly by private enterprise may.
as safe estimate say that thousand miles of said rail-
road leading from the Atlantic to the West upon the line
| OF the lakes, and nearly as much upon line further
SOUTH either completed or nearly so We have two
thousand miles yet TO compass, the execution OF =
work which il is said has parallel in the hstoty OF the
world No, sir II has parallel in the history of the
world ancient MODERN either its and mag
nude, or to its benefcent and
all its bearings the interests of all mankind, far
oresee II SIN tbese aspects, and in the contemplation
OF these consequences that has parallel the history
of the world-changng the course of the Of
the word--brnging the West almost in contact, by
verslDg the ancient line of with the