The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-10
SENATE


consideration ol Senate bill No. $685. Tor the protection OF
the engant route and line, aud Tor an over
ia California and Oregon !; 10 which amendment had
been proposed to strike out all alter the enacng clause
and insert bill 10 provide for the construction OF
railroad and telegraph line iron the valley OF the Mis-
sisspp TO the Pacific ocean, reported By the select com
mittee
Mr. BUTLER said Mr.. President. we are engaged
in the consideration OF bill of unusual importance, and
seems to be assumed. understand, that il is to be
carried through this body and through the other House
by the momentum OF It's own magnitude | heard the
senator from Illinois Mr. DoUGLAsl Yesterday with great
iaterest listened 10 his instructive speech with great
interest; hut ! must confess that when he announced
that this was an enterprise without parallel in The his
tory OF the world, and that therefore to disre-
gard all the lights OF example, experience usage. aud
precedent, fe somewhat astonshed at the attitude
which the American Senate likely to be placed, by
being forced 10 adopt oregone conclusion wihOu, the
advantage OF examination or the security OF dellbealion
in other words, 10 run all the hazards OF legislative
pertinent IN reference 10 the greatest OF the kind
the world has ever kDown-to borrow the language OF
the senator from Illinois, measure without parallel
The reason given by the friends OF this bill why
should not have such lights before usually
suited 10 such is, because This is whose
magnihcence puts at defiance everything tnat has pre-
ceded il, either in the Congress OF the United States
in any other dellberative body Of the word--a meas
ure, the success of which therefore depend more
upon the chances of blind fortune than upon the coan-
sells of wisdom or lights OF experience
Mr. President have been referred to more than once,
and appreciate the compliment, as one OF the gentle
men who might have constitutional difficulties in
relation 10 this shall not indulge in honily
upon the constitution No. sir shall go directly to
the merits OF this bill for, independent OF all my
stuiional obligations shall be bound oppose it on
other grounds, such have doubt been we'll indicated
e bin s Is the bodes
oslon that has been brought before this legislature
for a system OF internal improvements give my friend
from Texas lMr. RusKl credit for his ntepdily say
il is the most undsguised proposition which has
been brought before the Congress OF the United States
looking to system of internal improvements What,
then, are the provisions Of the bill Let analyze
them.
The bill proposes to construct road from the Misss-
spp valley point the Pacific ocean and how
The President as understand it, indicate the ter
mini at the Mississippi and the Pacific and also OF
the mountain passes through which the road is TO 90
aud then be is to employ engineers TO fill up the nerme
daie space by reconnossances 10 make such exam-
nations may be satisfactory TO him. What next! After
the President shall have performed this function OF say
ing where this great channel OF commerce shall run-of
having imposed upon him powers extraordinary, and
such in my opnlon do not belong to the executive
branch OF the government, or before conferred
upon any American Pfesdent-we are required to dI.
vest ourselves of all legislative jurisdiction and control
measure involving the abiding deslnies OF tins
coniederacy, and perhaps OF the world.
II is 10 be taken from the sphere OF legislative
judgment, and to be transferred to the exclusive will and
discretion OF the Executvea proposition heretofore
hrey unknown in the history OF federal legislation. 1t
s Mr. President, in my opinion, precedent OF fearful
import
So much as to the mode of locating the road Now
10 the aud agencies TO be employed for lis
complishment They IN my opinion as | shall show,
are equally Unprecedented dangerous, and unw,e
What are theyi Why sir $40 600 900 are 10 be sup
Piled directly from the treasury 10 be paid out under the
terms and conditions of the b which practice would
be parchment PROVISIONS TO be dpensed with, If
need be, by appeal 10 legislative lberay Besides
this amount, small as IT is IN comparison with what
will be IN the progress OF the work, 10 give al
ternate sections OF public land equal in amount 10 about
twenty millions oil acres, and much more, many be-
leye Thus we shall have contributed, at the very
AEscEMEsT OF the enterprise, means equivalent, to $780,
100000 or 500. 900 900, and this but small index OF
what may be the future demands upon the treasury
der the auspices and favorable indulgence OF an Interested
majority. Et
The next question s what agencies are to be employed
IN the enjoyment, direction, and appropriation oil these
funds
Why, it is be a corporation, to be invested with
franchise that may be OF immense value, aud certainly,
in its exercise. will be OF great power is to be
body corporate that may WELD the influence of
wealth. and 10 acquire title TO tract OF country that
may be regarded as sthmus through the great West
10 The Pacific ocean, and lhus unite under the infl
ence OF capital two OF the greatest sections oil this vast
continent having the elements TO Increase and perpeluate
its power. II will WELD the lever OF modern
tmes-money, money-and. like the East India Com
pany in the exercise Of its immense monopoly OF pecu-
mary power may take itself the attributes OF sovereignty
What security have We in the future against such
suit This corporation will have every temptation and
inducement TO comply with all the conditions its char.
ter, TO enable tito assume the imposing condition which lis
wealth and political influence give u, TO become
"mpsrfum IN impnio But II is contender by the friends
OF the bill that, by its provisions IL s subject 10 forfeit
for non compliance with The terms and conditions
OF the grant Depend upon IL, MIR President there will
be forfeiture the franchise should prove successful
and profitable, and II is eyden that $4,000 900 will be
first expended before any contingency ior charter can
arise After that, the corporation will still be u,der
legislative favor, if they have acted in good faith Re-
cent precedenis 90 strongly 10 show the facility with
which Congress will bestow bounes to indemnify CAPT
tais,s for any losses they have sustained may
tain Yes, Mr. President, have long seen that the fed
era treasury has become insurance office, Ito afford
indemnify tor the past and security Tor The future In
the event OF the enterprise becoming wholly worthless,
there will be for any forfeiture for the
poraiors would then be willing 10 throw the enterprise
upon the government to be carried on 10 completion by
the contribution OF Unforeseen from The federal
treasury for which they, swarms OF spectators,
would be applicants. So that with bonus OF 95o,000,.
600 100000 900, perhaps more this charter
pany may embark in this undertaking with more conf
dence OF advantage than OF hazard TO themselves Tney
Will begin with the contributions OF the government, and
may well rely upon its guarantees in their future opera
lions.
Since have been referred to one tha, may have
constitutional objections TO thus measure, will present.
by way of illustration, proposition involving the same
principles OF this bill which many OF the gentlemen now
advocating have condemned opposed TO party creed,
upon The ground that IL subject to the same obec
lions which might well urge 10 il now. Suppose The
boPos'uon once made TO construct federal road from
bs"ao 70 ms city, and hence 10 New Orleans, were
now 10 pe revived what would gentlemen sayi why,
na' was opposed TO the constitutional doctrines lad
uo~n 10 ne Baltimore platform Or, TO make the propo
slnon more genane TO this matter suppose the scheme
vast pe 70 extend the construction OF this road from
tne vahey OF Tue Mississippi to the Atlantic. Gentle
3kp 81. hat