The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-07-12
POLITICAL.
SPEECH
HON. P.S. BROOKS, OF SO. CA.
in THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,


June, II, 1854.
The House being in the Comu;tte O.
the Whole on the state Of the Union
Mr.. BROOKS said:
Mr.. CuARMAs The disposal made
yesterday of the bill to aid in the con.
struction of railroad to the Pacific had
reference to the final action Of the House
and was not intended to check discussion
but to give time to the friends Of the road
TO increase their numbers, and to dissem.
mate more general information on the
subject. Il is apparent to the slowest Oh
server, that in no place throughout the
country Is less attention given to speeches
or have they less influence and effect, than
here and il the House will bear with
the in the delivery Of my remarks, prom.
ise not again to trespass upon its time
during the remainder Of this session..
II the paternity Of bill could recon-
mend it to my judgement rs strongly as
II does to my feelings, l fear that my re-
gard for my friend from California who
introduced it, together with my sympathy
with, and interests in behalf Of his State,
would commit me To vote which my
und Outstanding cannot approve, or my in
depreciation of the powers of the Constit,i-
ton justify. The affections of my heart
have been kindled Into glowing warmth
towards that distan. State, whose entire
delegation in either branch of this Con-
gress have recently passed through the
crucible Of constitutional trial, and proved
themselves to be-like its staple commod
ity-pure yotd. yearn to fold this
youngest OF our sister States in closer
and friner embrace, and will cast my vote
for any measure which will effect it, pro-
vided | am not required to compromise
between my conscience and the Constitu-
ton.
,r,I xhaSa,Seea vrailsolda daaslaasll and
with care, aud re-read It with greater care
and It Is with sincere regret that | am
constrained to oppose its passage. We
are asked TO donate alternate sections OF
the public lands (Which are no less part
Of the common treasure OF all the States
than the money in the vaults Of the Treas
ury) on either side Of line yet to be de-
termined, to some joint stock company
yet to be created, for the purpose Of aid,
ing in the construction Of railroad aud
telegraphic communication from the city
Of San Francisco to some point, yet to
I've located, on the Mississippi river, any
where between the thirty seventh parral-
lei of north latitude and the boundary
line Of Mexico. We are asked 10 extend
the sections SO donated to distance oft.
teen miles ou either side IF the road, from
the Mississippi river to the one hundred
and sixth degree Of longitude west Of
Greenwich, (s point in the Rocky Noun
ta,ns ; from thence to the eastern boun,la-
~ Of the State ofCalifornia, that alternate
sections shall he donated OH either side to
n distance Of twenty-five miles; and from
that point, through the State OF California
to the western terminus, the company's
right to land shall reach again. TO fifteen
miles on either side Of the proposed road.
Privileges Of earth, gravel, stone, and tim
ber, TO be used in its construction, are ex-
tendedfo any Of the adjacent lands Of the
United States. A maximum bonus Of
six hundred dollars per mile per annum
is proposed for the use Of the road and
telegraphic line by the United States. for
postal, military, naval, and other Govern
nent purposes, and the control, manage
ment, aud profits Of the road, together
with its casemeats, privileges, and rights
guaranteed to the contracting company
for quarter Of century. The road and
its furniture is then TO revert to the Geuer-
nj Government and such sections Of il as
lie within the limits Of State g shall vest
in and become the property Of the state
or States within which the same is locat-
Ell, subject TO the use OF the United States
Tor postal, military, md all other Govern
snent service, and subject also, to such reg
citations ~ Congress may impose, restric-
ting the charge for transportation thereon.
And all other States organized thereafter,
upon the line Of said road, shall acquire
the same rights. subject 10 the like pro-
visions and restrictions.
viii say nothing q the dangerous
impolicy Of making donations so. .Aou.
tracing with, any road which HE no,
been even located, and which, andeF the
present bill, may be indefinitely st.esched
In angular lines from one region Of fertile
lands To another for assame ,hst the
most direct practicable route would be
adopted. But approach the question
directly, and propose TO discuss 4 a. l
would Deliberate upon private project Of
my own, OF Of corporate company, which
], in pars, vas called on 70 represent
Tne FIRST consideration would be, the
plenitude Of my aathoritv TO contract. :