The daily union., 1854-01-06

II must be evident 10 every member OF the Senate tina
The direction have Indicated be the proper direction
TO give 10 ibis whole question 1t is OF 30 broad char
actef lhai does moi pertain egmaiey The sphere
deues OF any one OF the standing committees OF the
SENATE. "A lew days snee, the senator from New York
lelf SKwARDl Introduced bill providing for the con
s.fueon OF railroad Tor military and postal purposes
through The territories oi the United States and had
terfed 10 the Committee on the Post Office and Post
Roads, Now why was that reference made in prefer
ence 10 reference the Committee on Military Affairs
That committee should have the control over the
questions as the Committee the Post Office and Pos,
Roads. hat hill also provides that portion of the
with which this road is be ont shall be drawn from the
treasury OF the United Staesa subject winch properly
pertains TO The COMMITTEE on Finance. II also incteases
ne price OF the public lands for specified distance each
side OF The roada subject which should be considered
0y ihe Committee Public Lands Ii provides for
building Toada subject which should 20 the Com
mittee Roads and Canals 1t also provides for road
in The Territories of the United Satesa subject which
should go to the Committee on Territories tgives Con.
gress the power to regulate tho transportation OF
chandise across that roada subject which shoul go
the Committee on Commerce. And, finally, provides
for the transportation Of the officers of the navy seanen
marines, and naval stores and arInainena-a subject
which should be considered by the Committee Naval
i Affairs.
II Now | wish TO say few words further In favor oil
the motion have made. IL must be apparent 10 every
member OF the Senate thai this question is of such a
character that it should be sent 10 select committee
and not 10 OF the standing committees OF The Senate
have not indicated in my amendment how this commit
tee should be apponledwhelherb by ballot by the pre-
siding officer o this body, am Indifferent upon that
point. Nor have Indicated the number OF which this
committee shall consist; but am in favor OF large num-
be least nine, the result OF the deibea-
ton of such large number of the members Of the SEN
ale, when brought before this body, should carry such
weight with il to enile il to the favorable consldera
tIon OF The Senate.
Mr. Presidents The question OF establishing railroad
connecting the Mississippi valley with the Pacific
a5 Il hs uoss O. 81 e ass n 4.
session. The public voice requires that consideration at
our hands. No question OF the present day equals this
| in Importance, or has been thoroughly discussed
4 S a.
ton, and The sooner we up 10 this question. and
prepare by means OF some committee appointed 10 con-
slider ii, 10 be brought before The Senate, the better
have abiding confidence the perpetuiy OF the Union
OF these States; but do not believe that that Union be
preserved unless we have some such communication be-
tween lis different paris that which have proposed.
know the question is surrounded by many difficulties,
but do not believe it is impracticabe. That Providence
who directed fotefathers at Plymouth rock and
their descendants across this continent TO the Pacific, to
build up OF the greatest empires the world, will
direct us how to make that empire impershabe by the
accomplishment OF this work, or some similar con-
4 neXion
/ All have to say is, that hope this subject will now
be disposed ofiha oil the Senate will dcte rmine
whether this subject OF The Pacific railroad shall 40
select committee of the standing committees OF
this body, in order that may be reported upon the
earliest practicable moment.
ato from California Mr.. G9Isl that the amendment he
has offered in its present form scarcely amend
meni IT adopted by the Senate, would be eiectua in
its operation We could certainly refer to the select
mtee indicated much OF the Presidents sage as
relates this subject, but reler to any bill
until that bill is taken up and under consideration by
the Senate. You cannot by this resolution refer any bill
to this select committee before that bill up for
sderaon, and certainly cannot refer any bill TO tha
i committee that is hereafter to be introduced.
woad therefore suggest TO the honorable that
would be great deal better 10 leave oul that portion o
his amendment, and then, when bills before the
Senate relating 10 This subject motion 10 refer them
this committee can be made.
Mr.. GWlN. In accordance with the suggestion OF the
senator from North Carolina, Mr. BADGER will mod
tfxnp udrpu bu Of
and leave to apply only TO the portion OF the Pres
dents message and accompanying documents that relate
TO the subject OF a Pacific railroad.
The amendment was modified accordingly.
The question was upon agreeing 10 the amendment a
modified.
Mr. CHASE. have no special concern in regard /,
the disposition TO be made OF this resolution. | movet
the original resolution, supposng that The inquiry bt
made properly addressed to that standing committed
OF the Senate constituted with 10 take charge
subjects oil this nature. still think that is the prope
reference 10 be made. The hoaorabe from Cali
foraa Mr.. GwIs] was kind enough 10 consult il
reference TO the amendment he has proposed but think
ing myself that the reference OF this subject ogina,
proposed was the proper one preferred TO submit
TO the consideration OF the Senate, being quite willing Il
acquieece IN Whatever determination they may iii L
decide upon.
The Committee Roads and Canals is especially con
stuied, suppose, for the purpose OF taking subjects
this character into consideration. III this subject is
proper 10 be referred TO that committee, know
which should be referred TO IT, THIS resolutioi
contempates the building of road-it coniemplates
TO lis construction II IS very true that The construction
OF this road will involve the expenditure OF money.
is very that the road when once it is constructs
will be used for the transportation OF the mails Of tn
United States In this first aspect il might be prope
subject for the consideration OF the Committee Fl
nance aud in its second aspect il might be proper sub
eci for reference to the Committee the Post Ofc
and Post Roads Buin lis primary aspect il is prope
. subject for the consideration OF the Committee OF
Roads and Canals that committee having been spe
cially constituted for the express purpose OF akin
subjects OF this kind into consideration Now, hav
{ no, inquired into the construction of that commit
tee have inquired into the probable constructors
OF the select committee should the Senate deiernin
upon the appointment OF such committee. But il j
enough for to know thai the Senate has already or
ganized for the express purpose OF akin
this and similar subjects into consideration and tha
committee having been thus organized, there should
some special reason given for the withdrawal of thi
subject from their consideration, is TO be Withdrawn
I Now, can see reason for such withdrawal. A
portion OF the road to the Atlantic with the Pa
chic Is already IN process OF construction upon of III
routes in the State OF Mssouri upon another roue be
eve, in the State OF Arkansas; and upon still anothe
route, am not mistaken in the State OF owahe bill
providing for all OF which roads referred The Com
mee Public Lands, and received the consideration
that committee We did not consider II necessary 10 hav
select committee 10 take charge of these bills TIL
senator from California [Mr. GwINl himself propose,
tins session grant of the public land TO aid in the
srucion OF railroad through the State OF Califofpia
connect with this territorial road, and that bill has beer
standing commuters OF the Senate Why. hen should
not this inquiry, which contempates nothing more no.
less than territorial road, be referred 10 standing
m n od can see no RhOull