The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-02-15
Air Line Railroad.

We append copy of the bill introduced
yesterday by Mr.. DoTY, to provide for the con-
struction Of an air line railroad from this city
to New York. 1t sanctions an appropriation Of
$500, 900, to be expended by the Postmaster
General in the construction of the work, under
the supervision of Government officer; the
line to be afterwards leased on terms advan-
tageous to the Government and the travelling
community.
We hope that the session will not pass with
out some action upon this subject The pre-.
sent arrangements, heralded as they were with
flourish of trumpets, fall far short of what
the public interests and convenience require
and are altogether too unreliable to justify an
abandonment of the direct and certain route
for which Mr.. DORIS measure is intended t.
provide. In one respect, perhaps, the delay
has not been without advantage. 1t has slim
ulated the monopolies to make professions
which imply condemnation of their previous
policy; and it has afforded to many of. our con-
temporaries, north and west, an opportunity Of
procl aiming the prevalence of conviction that
the course contemplated by the promoters of
this bill is warranted bTthe peculiar character
of the annoyances which it is intended to OBJ
viate:
"A Bill to establish post-road upon an air line
from the city of Washington by the cities of
Baltimore and Philadelphia to the city of New
York. and to provide for the construction of a
railway upon the said line.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives Of the United States of america in Con.
gress assembled, That there shall be- and hereby
ls, established post road upon direct or air line,
from the city of Washington, in the District Of
Columbia, to the city of New York, in the State of
New York, by way of the cities of Baltimore and
Philadelphia.
SEQ. 2. 1t shall be the duty of the Postmaster
General TO cause the said road to be surveyed and
marked, and to construct thereon railway with
single or double track, and with the necessary
turnouts and depots. and for that purpose to en-
poy the typographical engineers of the army who
shall perform said service under his direction and
employ such force in the construction of said rail
way and depots as may be necessary.
SEC. 8. IF the owner of any land over which said
railway passes, or which shall be required for
depot shall object to the location of said railway
or depot, such land may be taken for that use in
the manner prescribed By the law of the State in
which the same is situated for the taking of land
for highways or railroads and depots, and com
pensation therefor shall be made from the treasury
of the United States. il
SEC. 4. The said railway and it's fixtures shall
be constructed in the most approved and durable
manner, on contracts 10 be let by the Colonel of
the Typographical Engineers, who shall have the
general superintendepce of the wor k; and he shall
employ sufficient number of the officers Of said
corps in experimenting the work as it progresses
to insure it's faithful execution and speedy COM
pletion
SEc 5, When the said railway is completed. it
may pc leased BY the Postmaster General for term
agree to stock the said road with the number of
engines and cars. and to the same at the times
required by him, and also ocarry all mails, troops
and munitions of war of the United States thereon
at such times and speed, and free Of charge to the
United States, as may be fixed by the Postmaster
General; and who ehall also agree to keep the said
road in repair during the term for which it is
leased to him; and If the said Lessee shail fail to
perform any part OF his said agreement, it shall be
the duty Of the Postmaster Geperelto immediately