The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-16

| From San Francisco TO Dubuque a- 2Ols
From San Francisco to New Orleans ,l5O
l rom San Francisco TO Matagonla l,S00
A nd from San Francisco 10 Fort Nisqually, in
Making total length in miles of TO- 695
This aggregate length of routes will be formed by
sructlng the following main trunk and branches
,sasa Mules
From San Francisco, via Fulton. in Arkansas to
The ST Louis branch from point on the main
trunk, g thirty-ive miles south OF Santa Fe, to
ST. Louis 9l5
The Dubuque branch from point on the ST.
LOUIS branch, where it interests the Arkansas
- river, 10 Dubuque -u.G- $40
on The soathern bend of the main trunk, to the
source OF the Colorado river, and thence TO
Mata2orda bay, on the gull 535
The New Orleans route from Fulton to New Or
leans -a# -sGag .N.. -an@ - - 4oj
And the Oregon branch from San Francisco, in -
California, to Fort Nisqually. in Oregon $50
Total length of railroad to be constructed 5.ll5
The means proposed TO construct this railway and
branches is grant from Congress of public land to the
States OF LOUISIANA Missouri, Arkansas Iowa, Cafor-
MA and appropriation for the construction of the road
through the Territories, of an aggregate quantity OF 52,-
400 square miles, or s7536ooo acres and this appropr
alton is TO meet the expenses OF Pacific railway and
branches OF 4,400 miles, because from The aggregate
length OF 5ll5 miles is TO be deducted the Texas branch,
nasmuch as the government of the United States has
public lands 10 grant within the limits OF that Stale
Upon this point avail myself OF the occasion at this
stage OF the proceedings TO say tha, although Texas will
find rich reward by her unaded construction OF the
road through her territory the enhanced value OF her
public domain, and the development OF her immense
agricultural resources and by eventually securing her a
full share OF our domestic and foreign trade yet as this
railway is, TO all inlents and purposes. POST ROAD,
within the spirit and letter OF the Sh section of the lst
article OF the constitution, deegatng express iowe in
Congress g to establish post offices and post roads"
think il bui just and fair that she should be placed upon
an equal footing with the public land States throush
which the Pacific railway will pass; and as we cannot
lit. r.
aid her in the construction of the road by the payment OF
money out of the national treasury. have no doubt of
the constitutional power OF Congress to do So and shal
feel bound al the proper time 10 advocate and press upon
the attention the Senate The propriey and justice Of
such measure.
Recurring them TO the means provided by this bin for
the construction OF this Pacific railway, We iud that the
quantity OF land proposed to be granted equals stated
81 $50 900 which at 81 % per acre. the minimum
price Of ihe pubc lands, would amount 10 The sum OF
300 600, Tor the construction OF 400 miles OF road,
saying ont of calculation, Tor tie reason Indicated the
Texas branch, which makes pP the whole length OF jl5
miles for the main trunk and branches
This sum will allow an average for constructing the
road OF S27 700 per mile We find that the actual
rage OF railways through the United States. east OF
The mississippi according 10 The census report was only
S27 800 per sns. And II must By noed hai ihls sun
ncnded the cost Of the lands purchased Tor The track
from private ndivduas--a material item OF expense not
incident 10 this railway ~ ..se.as.
ii may be added iushev thal in the census report alu.
ded $40 900 is set down reliable estimate or he
expense per mile IN the new S,aes and have 90 doubt
the improved faciilles oi construction wlli reduce The
cos, below ths estimate; yet even al tuat assun.
The provision now male would be something like S7,-
600 greater per mile Than the cost Iepo'iedt
Nov, the gFsat point u tof the government o the
Uned States 10 take the initiative IN this measure, and
10 enter upon il in earnest. AT once the popular mind
wlIl be inspired with confidence OF success-ihe public
will and energy will be Immediately concentrated upon
H. and these yielding 10 no check not dsmaied by any
obstacle will surprise the world by The speed with
which the work will be accomplished.
The bill now presented hses the shortest and most
la nj ayInn hann
and over considerable surface OF which even now cons
venient wagon routes exist.
Tne reports of our army officers and Others, oil OK.
ploalions north and south and in the vicinity OF ITS line,
represent the country remarkably level, with erle
soil, well waered, sslubops climate with nraif'es
and woodland, having an exhaustless supply 6f good
timber and building stone, and every faculty. 1or ms
splendid enterprise, which, when carried out, w draw
along il living stream ol emigtaton, developing rue
boufdess agricultural and ineral resources OF ina' uis
liant territory, dotiing IL with farms, villages, owns anu
cities, and establishing in the heart OF the great distant
West political strength to uphold and cement The nfHn-
plies OF our popular institutions.
Having shqVn The general oblee In view, The means
suggested for lie pishmeui, and its entire ieas-
bihiy, will now explain the 'nstrmnenfaNy proposed
for It's execution
The nature OF our conlederateJ Union is such that ii
becomes necessary in this enterprise for us 10 consider
and the relative powers OF the States and general
goyernmen and 10 deal with each ~ proper regard TO
constitutional scruples oil many oi our distinguished
statesmen N|s
Having been educated in the State rights school OF pol
es have ever felt IN The exercise Of The powers OF the
general government, the importance Of avoiding the sem
oance OF encroachment upon the reserved rights Of State
sovereignty, for in these is TO be found the real strength
o 9ut institutions II might be within the rasae ot pos
soy out lar from probability that the strength Of the
nauosi government might be tried by internal detection,
ns usons OF iacuon, or strained by the shock Of
external attack and violence from some mighty coalition
OF hostile powets but should this eyer occnr there
~ feoapera.ive powef thank God in our State gov
enmenls' and ~ ihe great body Of our enIgh ghtcned c
zens, who uphold them both alike witch will ever pfuse
new vitality strength and energy into the general gov
| enment
Recurring TO The nsirumenialy proposed /, will he
found that this bill authorizes the President OF the United
States contract for the road an branches so far ns
they fall within the limits OF the Territories namely The
main trunk, Excluding The part IN Texas TO The south
west corner of tue State OF Arkansas, and the branches
10 The ives. boundaries OF Missouri and Iowa, and from
tho north boundary Of California TO Pugets sound,
Il grants the righ of way for the roed end hrsnches,
and apropra,es the alternate odd numbered sections,
half land within forty miles each side OF the same
II giants TO each OF the States OF Arkansas and Louis
lana for branches connect AT the Mssisspp river with
the railroads from the Atlantic seaboad, the alternate