The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-23

is termination. by the most direct and feasible route.
avng al that the discretion OF the Executive
or as would very much prefer the discretion and pru-
ence OF those who are willing 10 emoaIk thsii cAp'ai III
the enierprise--as open and unsettled question.
4 am anxious to avoid consumption OF ume. present
this proposition as one which entitled 10 the
lasoasle consideration OF the Senate ana as means o.
ascerainng. in The speedest practicable manner, The
sense OF the Senate the question OF the route APP
prehend that when that is settled by general concur
renee, the remaining questions will give us comparatively
little trouble Upon the amendment trust the Senate
will indulge me with the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered
MIR. BELL | endeavored yesterday to get modf1ca-
ton OF the amendment proposed by the senator from
Ohio supposed al one time that he had agreed TO it;
but afterwards it found that he could not accord in
all the particulars Of my proposed modification. pro
posed that we should strike out OF The bill that provision
which fixes the eastern terminus OF the road at Fulton.
or at some point IN the southwest corner OF Arkansas,
and that the question OF the location OF the terminus
should be ntrused to the Executive OF the United States,
with such lights he already had before hm--,he nu-
merous explorations and reconnoissanceA which have
been pubhed-and any additional ones which he might
find necessary order. But that is not satisfactory TO
the from Ohio. His amendment IS placed upon
the ground that when the portion OF the bill which he
proposes strike stricken out the terminus ought TO
liked eithera ST Louis north OF 81 Louis believe
| do not msapprehend the amendment OF the senator
Now with that object in view, cannot vote to strike
out that clause OF the first section which proposes to hx
the terminus on the Red riyer for although that may
seem, stated yesterday, to have sectional aspcct.
yet the senator's proposition not less obnoxious TO the
same objection. would not vote TO strike out the
i
ling that the whole question should be left to the iudg
menlhe largest exercise OF that judgmentof the Elk.
ecuve Of the United States and let the section which
part have the honor 10 represent here take the risk OF
proper decision upon that subject.
But that is not satisfactory to all the members OF this
body. Some of the friends Of the bill insist that this
road shall have its terminus northwaTd. will
say that feel confident that that would not an0Id the
best location for the terminus OF the roa and that IN
the end the road will not have TO commence either at ST
Louis some point north OF il, but on the other hand
not at all satisfied that some terminus south OF 81
Louis that the terminus Red river as hxed ~ the
bill will not be found to be the best location IRON which
be made the cheapest and shortest route am not
certain but that expedition will be promoted and the dis
tance curtailed by such location OF the terminus We
have no satisfactory information before rs to deter"
our judgment upon the subject twas for that reason u
have pursued this COURSE and because thought wotd
open the whole question to all sections OF the West-to the
northern, southern and middle States Of the West-wh
reference equal and just participation in the chances
and reasons. which at last have to be determined by the
natural formation OF the country, and not Dy any par
cuar sectional interest," by any supposed great line
OF communication, OF emigration, or OF commerce. 1his
road will have to be determined in its main features, in
reference TO the location OF the route by The natural Tor
nation of the country and by those passes in the noun
tains which will be found practicable in preference TO
those which will be found mpractcable, or only paci
cable after enormous and unnecessary cost rose
merely Tor the purpose OF saving that with the OBJECT
avowed by the senator from Ohio, cannot vote Tor s
| king out this clause of the bill.
| Mr.. SMITH. Mr.. President, desire TO say very
few words upon this subject am opposed to the propose
on that is brought forward by The senator from ONO Mr.
CHAsE] precisely for the reason that am opposed
10 the original provisions of this bill The original pro-
vision of The bill is that the terminus! or main
stem Of this road shall be the Red river the south
OF the State OF Arkansas and now the SEN
from Ohio proposes that Congress shall determine
that the eastern terminus OF that road shall be some
where on the Missouri river, between Independence, in
Missouri and the town of Kanesve, in Iowa. In other
words, the famer of this bill calls upon the Senate and
Congress 10 determine peTemptoy that some point on
the Red river the southwest OF the State OF
Arkansas, lis the proper eastern terminus oil this road
and the senator from Ohio proposes that we shall deter
mine peremptoriy that the proper eastern terminus OF
thai road on some point on the Missouri, between In
dependeBce and Kanesville Now, must acknowledge
Mr. President that there very strong impression on
my mind that the from OHIO is entirely right IN
regard to the location of the eastern teminus but new
eriheless, do believe that have the information
before that will justify in coming to any such de-
termination | do not believe we have any iniormaiion
before us to justify in deciding peremptonly either
that the eastern terminus OF that road shall be on
the Red river, al or near the southwest corner OF me
State OF Arkansas, or anywhere else cannot vote Tor
the bill either its original form, could feel my
self justified in voting for the bill If was amended as Is
proposed by my friend from ONO | think Mr. Presi.
dent, that all that Congress should decide in regard
10 the eastern terminus OF the road provided we are
to pass the bill now 49, that should De somewhere IN
the western part e the States OF Iowa, Missouri or Ar
kansas leaving the question TO the particular location
of the terminus open be decided either by Congress or
the Executive as Congress may see HI to direct In the
provis ons OF the bill
But wish TO say here in the first place, that have
not the slightest belief expectation that any bill can
be consummaed at The present session OF Congress- NO
would be safe and proper, even possible to bring the
houses of Congress 10 agree upon IN Its general
eatures and in the place. in all It's details. humbly
conceive that the only thing which we can do, and he
only thing ought 10 attempt TO do at the present SEES
sion of Congress- is TO make appropriation and an
adequate one-I care not how large the sum is; am
willing to a hundred thousand dollars, or quarter
of million of dollars for the purpose-to cause lho-
ough survey OF the country through which the road s
to pass And want something more than . mere re-
connossance, suggested by my friend from len.
nessee, Mr.. BELL;1 want thorough survey oil all
the various Toutes-hst, TO ascertain what pracucaoe
routes there are, and the next place, to enable Cen
gress the Executive to determine which will be The
cheapest route We ought 10 have practicable route
and II should be not only the direct, but the most
economical route and deny that have before US the
materials with which to come to any conclusion upon
the subject, in any shape form whatever.
Ii is no, my purpose to occupy the time OF the Senate
in renarkng a, any length upon this bill have many
objections Details and perfectly Wiling mat
the honorable senator from California TINT uWihl
should 20 forward and perfect his bill and make VIVA,
he and the friends OF II believe II ought 10 oe ana
mean in the general vote against the amendmens ex
cent such as come the honorable senator himself,
or from other gentlemen who take particular interest in
The passage of this bill am desirous that they should
amend and perfect ii to suit themselves and when they
have done will consider whether IL such bill as
can for not But confess, said before,
that have a very strong impression my mind that
this bill cannot be put into any shape IN which Il Will
pass. do not believe could do il il we should con-
no committee OF this bedy 1T s introduced. it is true, by
highly respectable member, who is perhaps more com
peent frame such bill than any other members but ~
ia In our at,Onu