The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-04

EARTH and mark il by suitable monuments. How Infinite
y more is the undertaking proposed by the honorable
senator Estimates OF embaDkmenis, excavations, ma
sonry, and other matters apperlanlng 10 Railroad would
be found 10 be quite different affair from merely settling
line as in the OF the United States and Mexico.
verify believe the surveys that would be necessary 10
able Congress 10 determine which the most practicable
and most economical route would require more time and
larger expenditure OF money than The construction OF
the road itself
But the honorable senator Mr. BRopHEADl requires
the Secretary OF War TO receive proposals for the
slrueon oi road from the valley OF the Mississippi to
the Pacific ocean, and TO lay them before Congress at the
next session. How can proposals be made when the
honorable senator does not condescend 10 Hfom how
when, or where this road is TO be constructed He does
not say whether II is 10 be road TO the Columbia river
or TO San Francisco, Or il TO the latter point whether il
shall have It's course through the South Pass by New
It's eastern terminus shall be on the
Mississippi or al point in the western Idary OF
Arkansas Missouri, Iowa-whether il is 10 be road
with single or double track, nor whether II shall be
finished in five years Twenty-Five The idea OF getting
any valuable information for the guidance OF Congress
In this strange way cannot OF course be seriously enter
tained by emincntly practical the honorable
Without intending any dsrespec TO the senator,
have TO say consider his propoaon mere evasion OF
the question before us. think would be better 10 re-
ect the bill at once than TO adopt measure so utterly
futile and mpracticabe. understood him 10 avow, with
commendable frankness that his object is 10 defeat the
bills but think it would be manly and more states
manlike to defeat it by direct and positive negalon,
rather than by substitution which its face amounts
to nothing and can come 10 nothing.
Without dwelling any further on the substitute which
has been offered by the honorable and very worthy
ato from Pennsylvania, proceed to say that there
three different methods which be adopted to provide
iof he construction OF inns work Ihe hrs 10 TO make II
exclusively government work, to be executed by the
national executive, in conformity with the directions OF
Congress- and at the proper cost of the national treasury
II believed that great advantages would attend this pan
provided the contract system be adopted, aud the
tractors be compensated part out OF the public domain
The contract system would, in my judgment, be indis-
pensabie to proper economy II II were executed after
the fashion OF the Cumberland road do not hesitate
to say would cost three four times much as il
ought to cost But by letting the road in sections
the lowest bidders, scpose the outlay could be brought
the cost of roads constructed by prvaa enterprise and
capital in various parts of the country. Ii then, we
were TO add compensation in part from the public do
man, IN The usual manner, the requlslions the
treasury would be reduced low that they could be
promptly met without serious inconvenience 10 any
branch OF The public service. But this scheme is not
now before US. and therefore need not dwell on it
further
second method would be to make the construction Of
the road exclusively private undertaking, and put
toe work into the hands OF such citizens may be dis
posed TO furnish the requisite capital and would execute
the work on the most favorable terms for the public,
leaving 10 their own sagacity and OF interest
x lis tefmin and general course, together with all the
details OF location making them such compensation in
land, or money, or both, may be deemed adequate,
just and equitable 1t safe TO say that whatever would
be best for the stockholders in respect TO the location
and general course OF the road would be quite likely,
nay, morally certain. TO accord whhe public interests
The sagacy and shrewdness OF private enterprise would
be no unsafe arblter OF questions which il might be diff
cult 10 settle IN the two houses OF Congress.
The third method is the which have before
it is the intermediate method, when governmental
troll and capital combined TO extent with indvid-
ual control and capital The government is to fix the
emni OF the road, and its general course hroue hout
and the details OF location and execution OF the work
to be confded 10 such citizens may be disposed fur
nlsh the capital requisite for the consummaon OF this
great enterprise need not, Mr. President, enter into
comparison OF these three methods. The honorable
mitlee nave seen ht to adopt the last and
superior advantages in either OF the two former TO induce
me to reject the latter therefore have made up my
mind 10 support II.
But there are some objections which have been made
10 this plan, which wish 10 notice briefly. They have
been examined, and as | humbly conceive refuied with
signal ability by my honorable and excellent friend, the
senator from Tennessee, Mr. BELL,l who has Just re-
sumed his seat
Ii has been asserted by honorable senator's and am ong
others the honorable senoor from South Carolina, Mr.
BuTLERl TO whose opinions have ever been disposed
TO listen with Difference and respect, that this bill pro-
poses to confer on the Executive the chief OF the in
coming administration power which Is Unprecedented
IN the history of the country fully admit the extent
and magnitude OF the power proposed 10 be cosfeed
10 K the termini oil this road. and 10 lay down eslab-
sh It's general course Is 10 decide questions which deep
ly the welfare OF The whole country; and yet
cannot how do better than place the dspo.
son OF these questions in the hands OF the Executive
/ think we do so, under the circumstances OF the
case, with safety and propnety.
am apprehensve, Mr.. President, tbatl shall be obliged
to pay poor pment to the two houses OF Congress
Tor am constrained TO say the result OF many years
that have much confidence IN the Impair
TALLY, sound discretion aud high OF patriotism and
duty, OF the President elect-nay, good deal than
have IN the collective judgment and wisdom oil the two
houses OF Congress. ! am no, among those who share
The responsibility of his elevation 10 the presidency.
supported, with whatever of effort l capable of
another citizen, who had rendered his country services
sueh as no man now living can boast OF, aad who,
thought by his great experience, his generous and pat
Quo course, his unspoed life, and bis ranscendent ab.
ues, was entitled TO I'LL the chief executive Office Bat
my wishes, my opinions, and my efforts, overruled,
and like good citizen, cheerfully acqucsce In the
suit The President elect has received high expression
oi The confidence OF his countrymen The North and the
SOUTH the kast and the West supported him with Z.
amped unanlmy, and 1t s my sincere desire that his adj
minsraon may be successiumay conduce to the pros
pery OF the American people, and TO the OF our
tee system oi government shall oppose 10 that admin.
suaoh no iacuous opposition, and shall be governed on
All OCCASIONS by aproper OF right and OF duty
And what after all, is this power TO be vested in the
bahds OF lhe Executive, which some honorable
teem TO suppose tremendous' Why may we not conhde
" to ihe Executive, and where is the hazard Do we not
az every session appropriate from forty fifty millions OF
ooas iof various branches OF the public service and is
not the expenditure OF these conhded in great
degree TO executive discretion and executive apency3
In the present instance he will have only 10 fix the
termin and general course OF the proposed road and
coming, as he does from New England from the remote
East, his mind will be free from all bias and in ro,di
ton TO dispose OF The question on lis tTue merits /,
seems TO be assumption here that the President ia 10
settle this matter by bis unaded Judgment butt ia moi
so He will IN the fret place have the counsel and assist
OF his cabinet composed OF no less han
OF the country shall venture to presume) of high abv
and standing He will also have the power 10
board of officers II he shall be pleased 10 do so Ii will
be his duty TO cause the surveys TO be made in advance
and TO obtain all the requisite information to enable him
a W hp mat caIl IN