The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-04
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF HON. TRUMAN SMITH,
or coSkECTIcUT;

or CONNECTICUT;
Delivered in the Senate February II, 1858 on the bill
Tor the protection OF the emgran route, and tele.
graphic line, and for overland mail between the
Missouri river and the settlements in California and
Oregon
Mr.. PRESIDENT: do not know but that this subject
has already been sufficiently discussed to enghten the
Deliberations OF the Senate and to conduct us 10 such re-
suits as shall accord with the public interest am
strong friend OF this and do not intend shall
be killed of by unnecessary or prolracted debate II,
therefore, the Senate will indicate desire to bring the
question at once 10 the lest OF vote, will resume my
Mr. GWlN Agreed let us have a vote.
MIR. COOPER | desire to address the Senate on the
subject and cannot consent 10 iorego the privileges OF the
Several SENATORS, to Mr. SMITH Go on go on
MIR. SMITH must, then, throw myself on the indul-
gence OF the Senate in submitting few remarks which
trust will be accorded to me- if for other reason in
consideration OF the fact that seldom obrude myself
the notice OF this body and never except to discuss some
in the discussion Of variety Of questions which have
been raised here touching foreign relations. and
the present session. TO the exclusion OF this and other
matters deeply concerning the welfare OF the American
people. But though we are brought very late TO
animation OF this BILL hope enough OF time and oppor
tunty remains to enable us to make an enlightened and
proper disposition OF the question before And what
sir, is that question Is il whether we shall now adopt
measure commended to confidence by the delb
eratons Of OF the abes and most experienced mem
bers OF this body.
confess, Mr.. President, have concluded, contrary
my first impression, that it is my duty to acquesce in
the result OF those deliberations. and TO give The bill be-
fore with slight exceptions my cordial support II is
true did, very early in the debate, express the opinion
that would be mpraclicabe. during the present short
session, arrange and settle the general plan and de-
tails of bill that it would command the support Of
the two houses Of Congress. therefore insisted that
nothing could be done than 10 make provision for
such surveys and explorations would be required for
proper and just appreciation OF the subject by The next
Congress- But the select committee, at the head of which
hon md nptfr tbp from Tav.
as (Mr RUsK, has been placed, has satisfied that
mistaken They have brought before us bill which
to have been well considered, and to be sub
stanlialy right, both in its general plan and details
am, therefore, for pressing this bill TO vote; am for
taking the judgment of the Senate the subject and let
those ncur,he responsibility who would defeat the
ure and postpone even the commencement OF this work
for two years longer Be remembered il we do moi act
now bill can be got through the next Congress until
July or August 1854 and That little or nothing can he
done 10 advance the measure until the spring OF 1868.
Hence, sir ejoce at The success OF the committee, and
desire TO proffer TO them my cordial thanks for their in
defatigabe labors. If nothing is now done on ibis i'm
portanl subject, think OF laying the blame
their door,
repeat, Mr. President consider this bill substantially
right do not mean that either the general plan or de.
tails are such as would have proposed | suppose il
every honorable member 10 be charged with sub
jec like this susceptible of infinite variety of plans
and details, each would adopt measure having a spe.
chic character and differing from that OF every other
member. II we to wal, until every member has be-
fore him exactly the scheme he would prefer, should
wait unul tne enu oil ume. fee myself under 0bi
CATION TO lay aside my preferences and my notions Of what
would be best in dealing with such subject II can
hnd in the bill plan that is practicable, and which does
not compromt any great public interest, violate any
fundamental principle, j, will be enough for me. shall
feel il 10 be my duty TO accord TO II my support.
And what, Mr. President, is the object contemplated
bv this bill, and what is the scheme by which that object
Is 10 be reacbedi The former is OF The most mag
nhcent which could be proposed 10 American Senate
being less than the establishment OF railroad and
teegraphc communication between the navgable waters
IVCr mn al liza ri nd
those OF the Pacific coast, and this TOO, wholly within
our own terrtory-an enterprise OF vast magnitude,
which, when accomplished cannot fail TO produce results
ol Infinite consequence 10 ourselves and TO the world
Ihe scheme is moderate one. II does not involve
appropriation OF any considerable amount OF the public
treasure, and certainly part of the public domain
OF much value, and yet holds such
for the investment OF private capital, and the enlistment
oil private enterprise to make the execution of the
bill sets aside $4,000 900 for this work TO be advanced
as progresses, and grants in The States alternate
lions OF the public lands, each side OF the road for six
miles IN width and in the Territories for twelve miles
width. II makes II the duty OF the President, after
obtaining The requisite information TO tx the termin and
general course oil the road and then directs him 20 enter
,n'oa contract after public notice, with the lowest bid
ders or the construction OF the road and elegraphlc line
with regulations and details which need not be specified
Ihe contractors arc TO the road and ne and levy
tolls subject TO the supervision and control OF Congress
70 certain extent and TO surrender them up TO the
United States at the end OF thirty years. should Congress
20 select. on terms which would be equitable
such burdens by the Tree transportation Of the mails and
The ofnces troops, and property OF the United States,
are likely. IN course oil thirty years. 10 be than an
equivalent Tor the money advanced and the land granted
The bill also coDfers the contractors corporate powefr
which would seem 10 be quite important II not ind spen.
sable, 10 proper execution OF the contract the
nence Of the parties, and the safety OF the capitol be
advanced by them
To this bill the honorable senator from PENNSYLVANIA
lMr. BRoDHkAp has proposed an amendment, the only
effect of which will be 10 adjourn the whole project
Tor an indefinite period He moves TO strike the en-.
poatons and surveys by and under the direction Of the
Secretary OF War; he deem advisable u ascertain
tho most practicable and economical for railroad
from the Mississippi TO the Pacific; and also further
provision authorizing and requiring the Secretary TO
ceive proposals from individuals associations for the
construction OF the rosd 10 be laid before Congress at its
next session.
This amendment, Mr.. President, WILL IL adopted be in
substance rejection oil the bill and a repudiaon of the
labors OF the committee II is certain that il we are 10
have thorough exploration and survey OF all the var.
routes and the of each precisely
economical indispensable preliminary to the action
of Congress, the work cannot be commenced in many
year.
The honorable senator would seem TO contemplate a
survey OF all possible routes, and of all possible modih.
cations of each route for in other way the ques
non OF comparative praccsbihty and economy be settled
vi course be must survey to be made by way OF
zoe south Pas. TO the navigable OF the Columbia,
nol 70 fugers Sound and then, aso by the same pass
70 osn rtsnsisco He must cause survey 10 be made,
py way Q, New Mexico and Walkers Pass, 10 the Pa
enc ana men he take NJ each OF these general
rouies, and examine all the various notifications which
may De suggested lie must also ascertain what is the
huoer oi siuate yards OF embankments excavations,
ana masonry which would be REQ ured on each route to-
sea.; wn ~. tps o. ylsducs, depos, and other struc