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


quantity rs given Tor branch roads from The rHs on the
Missouri rver TO points The Mississippi, 10 connect
w''h The railways now in progress from the Allanuc
seaboard, dedncDg the lands granted TO Missouri Tor
roads al the last session OF Congress 81 a.g..H .
California is conceded on the same terms and con-
dions alternate for forty miles each sie OF
this great Pacific lhoroughfae wi,hin her limits. au-
houzng also the selection OF other lands 10 make good
any where the sections intended 10 be granted
may have been heretofore sold or otherwise appro-
priated by the government. aau4 Ga. r.t#.# 81. ra
IL prescribes the conditions OF grant, that the States
snail within ONE year after the first session OF the re-
speciive legislatures the roads, and complete
lhcn In FIVE from the passage of this act, allow ing
Caiiornia TEN years. much the connect
ing road and branches through The territory shall be com
pleed IL stpuiaes that the United States mall and all
be onied States troops sesmen. arms and munitions OF
war; military and naval stores and all funds and proper
" OF The government and all officials shall be conveyed
over The roads free oi expense 10 the United States which
shall have the preference all persons bodies poll
tic, when, in the opinion OF the President The public in
erest requires promp!ness and despatch II spuates
that each State shall assent and comply with all OF
It's terms and conditions. and Congress shall have
the right under specified and PROTECTIVE limitations,
to Iesulas 'as eaafe for ega, and passeangsIs !.
recton OF the President 10 have the road located and
requires him TO advertise months for proposals Tor lis
construction within the Territories and TO contract for the
same TO be completed in not exceeding ten years from the
date OF contracto be delivered the United States
with all the appurenances in not exceeding thirty years
from the date oil completion, and incorporates the con-
tractors for the period OF the contract and for five years
thereafter 1t requires the President issue patents
the contractors for four fhs OF the land they entitled
10 the completion of section OF one hundred miles
the remaining fifth 10 be retained AS additional secu
nly for the completion OF the road, and for each
additional section of one hundred miles 1t orders that
the contracts shall siipuate for certain number OF
miles 10 be finished each year, TO complete the
whole road in ten years, and much earlier practical
bic the road and branches TO be put in good repair by the
contractors and in of failure, TO be Judged of by
Congress, the contracts be annuled and the road and
lands 10 revert to the United States. H&A ..
The bill further makes the road and branches the prop
of
serving as before stated, the right OF Congress 10 regu
late the tolls ..~.....-. ... 80
grants. that the Secretary of War, h he Of said
Sa'e, shall award contracts tor the construction of the
branches within lis limits, on similar terms to those
thorized by lis previous provisions. a"f.@@
II provides further, that when under the contracts the
road is surrendered 10 the United States. much Of it
as may be within the limits OF any State formed OF
the present Territories, shall be granted 10 such State
the same terms and conditions prescribed to other
States receiving grans under the provisions already ad
verted to-
Finally, the bill orders that the road shall be con
srncted in the most substantial manner OF the best
terias with all the modern improvements, and provides
for the appointment OF commissioners who under the
direction OF the Secretary of War; shall take all necessary
measures to protect the public interest," and that the
terms OF the contracts are fully and strictly complied
with ".s H.# #.#. ...
BY this bill interference with State sovereignty is
avoided To the States is awarded the right operate
(and il is made their neres, to do SOY in this great public
measure whilst the general government deals through
lis Executive with the subject in its territories,
under the express authority of the third section of the
fourth article OF the constitution, which confers the
power on Congress 10 dispose OF and make all neediu
rules and Iegu atons respecting the territory or other
property belonging 10 the United States" The facts
already presented will show this to be the most profitable
undertaking tina, projected; that the lands
proposed be donated, the minimum price of 81 IS
per acre, will give round average OF S27,7o0 per mile
Tor the work which IS an excess per mile or lis con-
suc,on OF S77O0 clear Pr'i, over and above The
age estimated OF S2o,0ea as stated in The census re-
port This, indeed being The actual cost per mile, in \
cuding equipments Of the Cleveland and Erie railroad
The STOCK o which IS now commanding twenty Two per
cent premium; and will be remembered that the latter
work was constructed IN far more rigorous climate,
and with greater obstacles than will he found The
s;ea,ef poriIon OF the Pacific route.
Looking further 10 the fact OF the constant improve
ment m railway works and The and INCREASED fae
nsg OF 'he operatives growing out OF their experience
and the inventive talent OF our cilzens the estimate with
good reason might be assumed at Si7700 per mile and
in that case there would be clear profit on the consiruc
uon OF every mile oI some $40 900 Add 10 ihs the IN
ctesse N Iha valpe al The tu"dsd capital, which canuot
iall 10 be greatly augmented by The additional value to
the property which this great project itself will mpar for
here we have fresh unculleo lands, immensely rich IN
minerals and agricultural RESOURCES, while oar eype !.
Fence has shown, even where this was no, the case,
IA in the Illinois donation, by the act OF 20th Sepem
brr 1850, lands along the route, which had been in
market for thirty snl more AT 81 q, rspidy roae
value 10 than 81 so per acfe-lhp5 Commanding
price equal 10 douoe the ordinary public land minimum
In addition 10 all these considerations let us en-
anime the probable profits of the Pacific rnais,
supposing that the parties constructing II had 10
pay up the full cash capital Of 100000 600 crt o.
their own pockets. We set ii down a low estimate
that $4,000 persons viii 60 10 aud from California over
this tnuughiare The first year, and that every year there
aite Tor he whole period al The contracts will add
large per ceniage 10 this number Rat assuming this es
mate, Tor the first and future years and at 5000 for each
passenger we will have the sum, per annum OF $40 0OO
900. giving an Interest OF ten per cent the capital
vested, with five per cent for repairs from passengers
alone estimating nothing for reights IL is not Ia be
doubled tor moment that the largest part OF the lands
now proposed TO be granted viii be disposed OF n
change Tor anor, and such lands becoming settled par
plssu with the construction OF The road, will yield large
additional amount Of freight and tolls the intermediate
points, whilst in this the gres, object OF settling the
eouay viii ts advanced and the value Of the property
donated immensely increased
The importance, indeed The mperous necessity, of i'm
medalely comnencng this line OF railroad is every day
pressing with greater force upon tho atienon oi The
pountfy, and vi the Congress OF the United States
Every civilized nation has shown IT, in practice. 10 be
governmental duty 10 open up and construct thorough.
fares and highways indispensable TO the public wee
The history OF The world, past and present, 10 full oI
illustrations. Ina m,Ihy nation which once
ruled the earn under lis forms oil atty epubcansm
and OF empire, has left enduring memorials OF its wis
pon, or view than its public roads Augustus erected
the Mi,arum dprepV', glh marble pillar in the Forum
10 mark he central point rom which the great roads d
verged from the seat OF empire. Public works OF this
class i'm charge of the and consus in ihs days
OF the republic, and Of ep inspector n.chie under the
empire .fe constructed by the Roman eng sneers at an
enormous expense, and with such sodty that some of
them are YET undeslroyed, having stood the travel OF
twenty centuries These gteat improvements connected
the cities of ancient Italy, nearly Twelve hundred in mum
ber crossed The Alps and penetrated The forests OF the
dsinnt poyinces connec ed also the hundreds Of cities