The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-04


anst any loss OF time and io the Immediate eonslrue-
ZION OF this road as soon the act in question be
ascertained
will admit AS remarked the other day, as far back
as 1885, by direction OF the Committee on Public Lands
reported precisely the same pforosion that is now OIL
ered by the honorable senator from Pennsylyania re-
ported that proposition nearly hve years SINCE and the
matter was twice urged upon The Senate afterwards
That was the time when we ought 70 nave made pre-
mnary survey OF this country without providing for
road in connection with the matter, and we would III
that have had the information before us at this Time,
when the condition and wants OF the country press
ing upon consideration the Importance OF having this
road constructed possible. But, nasmuch
we failed 10 get this information al that me-as we ne
elected 10 make this preliminary survey Tor the purpose
of uiIng this norma0nla am not Tor losing any more
time now but for connecting the preliminary survey
with provisions Tor the construction OF this road soon
as the information required can be obtained
Ii seems to me- therefore, that II the senator from
Pennsylvania takes the view OF the subject have ind
Gated he must either take the position that he is forever
against the construction OF this road, or he must with
draw his amendment
Mr. BRODHEAD. will Judge of the practicability
of constructing this railroad after the reconnaissance and
survey have been made and will not agree to refer that
question to the President OF the United States Repre-
sentng the paying people, choose TO Judge OF this
matter myself The people whom l represent being
obliged TO pay their portion OF the expense OF construct
ing this work choose to decide upon that question my
SELF and refer to the President OF the United States
Now IN Pennsylvania have some experience upon this
subject OF internal improvements and the commencement
has been bestowed upon this matter, The commence
OF improper and ipadicous systems otnternal i'm
provements by many of The States and the results OF such
acts before the country The people have felt the
suits of such systems, and will continue to feel Them IN
the shape of unmgaed taxation
Mr. WELLER There can be scarcely any doubt al
ter the remarks OF the honorable senator from Pennsy
vana Mr. BRoDHEAD that he is entirely opposed to the
construction OF railroad such is now proposed by the
select committee. II is true that is alleged that this
amendment is offered in good faith with view solely
prtaip he cfIcah
strucon OF this road But cannot be concealed that
the true object OF that senator Is to entirely defeat the
prosecution of this work Now, appreheni that it would
be manly the honorable senator from Pennsylva
| MIA to avow his object openly.
MIR. BRODHEAD. shall ayow no such purpose, Tor
do not say that shall be opposed to the construction OF
ing undertaken upon the part OF the general government
until preliminary surveys are made.
Mr.. WELLER The course pursued w the honor
able from Pennsyv has demonstrated what
have already said, that he has but one object IN view,
and that is to defeat the prosecution OF this work. Now,
if that senator had taken the enlarged view OF this
subject that trusted he would have taken ne would have
at that that portion OF the couny from
he comes, well all other portions OF this coneeracy,
would be vastly Interested IN the completion OF this road
would ask why this amendment offered at this tune
1t must take two three years to make the preliminary
obser vations and examinations which the honorable SEN
ator from Pennsylvania desires. Why that he de-
sres to large period OF time in making these
preliminary obser vatoBs' The bill reported by the select
committee already contains provisions requiring that such
an examination shall be made, and then if the road be
found to be practicable the President OF the United States
is authorized TO enter into contracts for the construction
OF it, Now what is his objection to that course' Does
the senator from Pennsylvania dlslrus the President
electi Is he unwilling 10 take the President OF his
own choice, and make him the Judge whether alter
the examination provided for shall have been made. this
road be mpractcable not Is he unwilling to allow the
man selected as the head OF the great American people
to decide whether the public interest will be advanced or
not by the construction OF this road And yet the hon
orabe senator from Pennsylvania has chosen to assume
the position that except the legislative power oil
this government shall decide upon the praclicaby or
mpraclicabiliiy OF this road had hoped that that
ator had confidence in the President just elected
Does he believe that If after this reconnaissance made
found that this road is mpraclicabe, the President
of the United States, whose duty is TO watch over The
interests OF the whole country would nevertheless persist
lis constructon Is that his objection to the
before US Why sir, il seems to me that this dlstrus
syvana.
Now, those who are the friends OF this measure under
stand fully the object OF the senator from pennsy vania
which is 10 defeat the action OF this Congress upon this
work Ii that be understood, then trust that
ator will entertain doubt 10 the proper course he
should pursue. am willing TO trust this whole subject,
alter this examination and exploration s made, the
President elect who has Just been selected to watch
the interests OF this republic | am willing to confde in
him. not as one who will look particularly 10 the inter-
ests OF the section OF country from which come, but
who will look to the interests of the whole confede-
racy, and when called upon 10 act will regard himself
the guardian and representative OF the whole republic.
Mr.. HAMLlN obtained the ioor but gave way TO
Mr.. BRODHEAD, who said: With the permission OF
my honorable friend from Name mir. HAMLIN,l will
observe TO the honorable senator from California, [Mr
WELLrRl and TO the Senate, that have much conf
dence IN the President elect the from Cafor-
MIA can possibly have But do not wish TO deyolve
upon him duties which properly appertan to the imme-
date representatives OF the people, upon question rea
tive to taxation.
Mr. HAMLIN. 1t seems TO me that this is a question
unlike any other that has been presented to and to-
tally different from that which has been presented TO any
separate State Tor lis action think that there ample
and adequate reasons TO justify commencing wsfk
of this character without such survey designated
by the proposed amendment of the senator from Pennsy
vaDa, and which will control my vote upon that
amendment Let me allude very briefly OF them.
In the first place, have doubt OF the practicabty
oil more than one route this continent the Pa
chic ocean. Nor do much which of those routes
shall be selected, as much TO this road
constructed than do about The route itself And think
that Is consideration which should be in the mind Of
every senator, and should rise superior and above every
local consideration. We told that we will be embar T.
rassed If order this road TO be built without prem-
mary survey, a preliminary survey, my friend upon
my left Mi WELLER has just said. 1t will take
raj years TO complete. Now, however, this road may
be built individuals who may be engaged in It's consruo-
lion must risk their private fortunes in il. and
those men who will undertake this work. and risk their
own fortunes in it, will be certain TO find a better
location for il than could be found by all the surveys
which may order from until the period of time
when the road shall have been built may expire The
interests OF men who involve their own fortunes in this