Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-11-23
The Pacific Railroad.

I
This great project continues to be discussed ii
the newspapers and will doubtless occupy large
portion of time in the next Congress. The para
mount importance Of the work is generally conce
ded, even by the most strait-laced sect of politi
clans who wholly deny the power of the Genera
Government 10 make appropriations to interna
Improvements. All are agreed that it will and
must be constructed, and the only questions about
which there is any difference of opinion are, the
route, and how the requisite means are to be rails
ed. AS is generally known, there are three com,
peting routes-N rthern Southern and Middle
Parties of engineers are now in the field exploring
these various lines, and all of them will probably
be ready to report by the beginning OF the ne"
year. The Northern route, however, if the news
paper reports are correct, has been found lmprac-
ticable and will be abandoned. Col. BENTON is
the champion of the middle line, and advocates lt'
claims with his usual pertnacity and ability. Tie
has constituted his residence, sc street, Wash
ington, kind of rival executive mansion to the
White House, and every now and then sends from
it to the National Lteuigsaces his reports receiV-
ed from the engineers. Indeed, the regularity
with which these gentlemen communicate with
him, seems TO indicate that they look to aim as
their responsible head. The Southern route is
the favorte with Southern politicians, and some
Of them pronounce it the only one that is practica-
BILE. Just here there is danger of sectional con-
troversy arising, which will not only impede the
progress of the work-if it does not prevent the a.
doption ofany lne-but excite feeling between the
two portions of the Union which every patriot
must deprecate.
In regard to the ways and means, notwithstand-
ing Secretaries DAVIS and GUTHRIE expressed the
opinion that Congress might furnish them-the
President sitting hy and silently coRsentiog-no
one appears to stand forth now as the advocate of
that mode. The utility and necessity of the work
is not more generally admitted, than the inexpedi-
ency of the Governments undertaking it as Ma
tional enterprise. Yet Congress must afford it
some aid, and the manner in which it shall be
done as open to discussion. We can see no diff
Guilty in Congress appropriating for the purpose
some of that surplus revenue locked up in the
Treasury, as Mr.. GUTHRIE suggested; but our
strict constructonists resolutely oppose the direct
granting of money. Another plan, nearly If not
quite as efectua, is fortunately at hand to relieve
the constitutional scruples of these gentlemen
It is proposed to bestow the alternate sections of
the public lands through which the road may pass
upon the company or individuals undertaking It,
plain man, to be sure, can perceive no difference
between giving land and giving money-an old
proverb SAYS, "Gold's worth is gold ;"-but an
other proverb says "NVhere there's will there's
way', and when politicians wish to get round
their scruples they can always find an expedient
The New York Atlantic and Pacific Railroad
Company, in the mean time, is organized with
full complement of officers in different sections Of
the Union, and some fifty millions of dollars sub
scrbed on paper, and will doubtless be ready to
receive any favors Congress may see fit to con-
fer upon them. They may, possibly, be selected
as the instrument for executing this great work,
but unless care is taken the bounty of the United
States will ''be perverted to gorge rapaclous spec
ulators."