The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-01
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1898.
I'M coKTlSUAnoS
SENATE.
SENATE.


construction OF this road, as have more than
ted to the Senate and have resisted every effort TO IN
pede this bill and shall continue to do 30, excepting
upon vital points, involving Questions OF constitutional
power believe this measure is one OF the most i'm
pn;sh nsa nsa Saa ,s0,na e ni %oss
bTacng interests bearing equally upon the present and
the future OF our country The senator from Virginia
IMr HUErERl has presented the objection with great
force and has been repeated by Others that this bill
transfers legislative powers TO the President, by the con-
troll il gives to him over the route and direction of the
road do not SO consider it, consider these matters
questions of administration rather than of legislation
have no doubt Of the right OF Congress TO enter into
every detail connected with this work. should il be dis
posed, ~ i would have the right TO prescribe how many
windows there shall be in the proposed addition the
Capitol But think It is better Tor the Legislature TO
make general provisions for The construction of such
works. leaving the executive department TO carry them
into effect Besides yet remain firmly OF opinion,
wlthssndlng the co1trary opinions We have heard ad
road could pass Congress There are SO many local in
teFests TO operate, that majority could not be found to
unite upon these exciting subjects And think have
had sufficient proofs Of this difficulty rather impossi
bty. in the short but strongly marked debate have
just heard touching these matters
am persuaded that the fate OF the depends
upon leaving the question Of location to be determined
independent Of Congress- under the direction OF the Pres
ident and BY information TO be obtained by proper ex
~. obecon that his IS day not proper to be inn
posed upon the President committing to him the
ton OF such work. Why, sir IN comforting such
power upon the Presidents thereby confer upon him
The proper means of executing it. We have Committed
to him the construction OF the Capitol ; we COM
nit to him every day the construction OF other works
ios, aTsenals, miDts, ships war, and thousand
others; and in similar manner the first Cumberland
road act which is on the desk before me, committed to
Mr.. Jefferson the execution Of the duty and its connu
alton westward I'LL il was stopped, regulated in the
same manner; and though the sphere OF location
much more restricted in that than in this still the
same principle was involved tor neither OF the ermni
OF the road was ssab ished by law.
lts easy to see what general principle will govern the
President in the performance of this duty. He will ap
point competent, Intelligent persons, engineers Others
to make the necessary plans and surveys and estimates
and these will be returned 10 the proper department. and
after the subject has been fully investigated by the Pres
iden he will authorize the location Of the road part
ia whole. as he thinks fit and then commit the gem
era control 10 the Department. under regulations approved
by him. confess, sir, would rather the bill contained
provision for the appointment OF commissioners by the
President and Senate for the purposes OF locaon and
any gentleman Will move such provision without any
other clause 10 impede The object will cheeriuy vote
for il, though do not wish to interfere myself with
those havng charge OF the bill Such an arrangement
should give 10 the President full power approve dis
approve the location; still. with or without such
provision. believe the necessary Information for The
location OF The road will be procured by means OF CON-
mission gsEttalA sG9 sls6s a.asN .rnt
that there would be very little profit from it, The ques
ton Of pecuniay profit which has weight with
me in the consideration Of this subject. My en-
pecia,ons upon that POM, are perhaps no, higher than
those OF the gentleman from Virginia have no great
faith in the prediction that the OF Asia with
America and Europe is to find its passage this
route believe that there serious obstacles which
will prevent such change in the INSTRUMENTATION
between the East and the West But have learned not
TO speak too confidently upon the developments OF the
future, though will say that this consideration will
have no bearing upon the vote which shall give that
will be influenced by what consider more imporan,
views
One OF the senators- DO not recoec, whsh-but one
OF them has said during this discussions that road is
not needed for the purpose OF defence because before
be constructed Oregon and California will be in
dition 10 defead themselves against the world. In my
opinion, they are in that condition now. believe IL s
beyond the power OF Europe send army which could
overcome thai portion OF republic The distance the
difficulty aud danger Of transportation, and the mpossi
bty almost OF finding the OF subsistence for such
aEgantc snlerpgiss on the other side OF the earth, FUR
nsh insurnounabe obstacles against It's accomplishment
Gentlemen talk seriously about the tremendous effect
Of shipofthe-ne and friEate upon our Pacific coast,
That maraodiug parties might land, or that buecaneer-
ing ship might do injury there well here no
man doubt; but as to conquest-you might as well
attempt 10 blow up the rock OF Gibraltar with pop gun
10 be found in those rcxionr From their bills and their
valleys they would mock TO army that Europe
could sesd there have not the least fear OF such an at
tempt. Ny fear is from within, and not from with.
out | have a settled conviction that our tenure OF
that part OF The confederation depends in great degree
upon the facilities We may provide ior reaching II
II yoa desire TO unite the Atlantic and Pacific citizens
by indestrucble bonds, yos must unite the Atlantic and
Pacific regions by bond OF communication, which, in
fact, Will make them one people. A government like
depending upon opinion and not upon force cannot
expect preserve its organization whore is separated
by world Of wilderness and by months OF time. In
such state OF thlDge there Will be want oil sympathy
Of feeling and Of mutual dependence Distance IN these
days resolved into time. and BY The measure proposed
you bring the extremes OF our country closer together
tAaa were Philadelphia and Savannah when the govern
ment was organized This means OF prompt and easy
comm unicaiion must havej and when we have H.
and not till them shall have country, one people,
destiny II is, therefore. in political and social
point Of view that deem this road important, what
ever may BE- its effects commercial route, or as
means OF comm unIcaton connected with the defence oil
any portion OF the country in time OF war do not mean
by anything have said, 10 question the expedency OF
tOyine proper points upon the Pacific coast think
such very necessary 10 prevent sudden incur
sions maraudins expeditions. Bot ! totally deny the
necessity Of such measures with view 10 prevent the
conquest OF the Country.
have already stated to the Senate that have nsuper
able Absctions 10 the establishment by the general gov
eminent Of corporation within the limits OF State.
Mr.. RUSk. That is stricken out from the bill
Mr. CASS l know IT. and am glad OF IT, allude
10 The subject that had two serious objections,
insurouniabIe indeed 10 this bill the section pro-
vd,ng for the incorporation, and which has been struck
tanned, will preven, from voting for the bill have
IN sought in the constitution the power OF the gene
raj government make road within any State-tha is
70 make communication which shall have the legal at
uon'es Of road, with right TO condemn property for
m formation, and 10 provide penalties Tor s protection
ana preservation, taking full jurisdiction over IT. what
Hmxnt % necessary 10 do IN time Of war 10 facilitate
Inc power o. The government way through
us own land 90 no, dispute II has been exercised more
Of lees since ihe foundation, and ia conferred by that
clause OF the constitution which gives to Congress the
right tC regulate and dispose OF the public property But
in such case ihe legal attributes OF road canno, &C
clause n The constitution which authorixes us 10 enter
Ca>sa and n uaAune iurisdruon roads v,,h;n