The Shasta courier., 1854-02-18
Railroad to the Pacific.


| the consideration of the following resolution,
submitted by him on the l4th uliimo:
az Resclred, That the Committee on Roads and
Canals be instructed to inquire into the expedi-
ency OF providing for the construction OF a rail-
road from some point on the western line of one
OF the existing States, To some point on the cas-
tern line of California
Me. GwIs. l move to strike out the whole Of
the resolution from the word resolved, and in-
sert the following:
That so much of the Presidents message and
accompanying documents refer TO the subject
of national railroad from the Mississippi valley
10 the Pacific ocean, together with all the bills
pertaining to the same that have been or may be
presented to the Senate, be referred to select
committee of - members.
The propriety of this reference must be ap-
parent to every member of the Senate. The
subject embraces SO many important objects of
a national character that it cannot be embraced
legitima,ely within the sphere of duty of any
one of our standing committees.
The bill offered by the Senator from New
York, MIR. Seward, few days ago. and re
ferred to the Committee Post Offices and
Post Roads, proposes to build road through
the territories of the United States from the
western border OF some State west of the Mis-
sissippi river to the eastern boundary of the
State OF California, for military and postal pur-
poses. Why was it referred to the Committee
on Post Offices and Post Roads, in preference
to the Committee on Military Atfairs-both COM
mittees having an equal right to claim the juris-
diction of the bill
The bill further proposes to contribute from
the National Treasury portion of the means
required to build the road-a subject which
properly belongs to the Committee on Finance
to raise the price OF public lands within spec
flied distance of the road-a subject requiring
\ Il e Il IL
it proposes to build road-and, therefore.
should go to the Committee OF Roads and ca
nals.
This road is to be within the territories of the
United States, outside of the limits of any State
"a subject to be considered by the Committee
on Territories 1t gives Congress the power to
regulate the tolls merchandise-a subject un-
der the jurlsdisdiction of the Committee on Com
merce and. finally, it provides for the transpor-
| iation of officers OF the Navy seamen and ma
rines, naval stores and armament-a subject
which belongs to the Committee on Naval AT
| fairs.
| Ineed say nothing further in favor of the mo-
| ton have made-its propricty must be appa-
| rent TO every one. have not stated in the res
| oluton how the committee shall be appointed
| whether by the Chair or 10y ballot, or of what
number OF Senators it shall be composed, leav-
ing both TO the decision of the Senate. My
| than nine members, so that tine deliberations Of
| So large number of the members of this body,
when inatured, may receive a favorable consid-
Grafton from the Senate.
! The subject of national railroad, connecting
the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the United
| States, is one that must command the deliberate
| consideration of the Senate-ihe public senti-
ment of our constituents requires it. 1t is sur
rounded by many difficulties, and requires the
| utmost precaution in managing its details l
have an abiding faith i'll the perpetuity of the
| union of these States, which only be pre-
served by connecting our Atlantic and Pacific
| possessions by means of a railroad.
| The difficulties in accomplishing this import
| ant result are great, but not insurmountable.-
That Providence which guided our forefathers
to Plymouth rock, and their descendants across
this continent to the Pacific ocean, building up
one of the greatest empires in the world, will
still guide US in making this empire imperisha-
bic by the accomplishment Of this work. Its
fate depends upon the action of this Congress.
The subject cannot be postponed without outra-
ging the public sentiment of the country, and
The sooner it is prepared for legislative action
the better; and whatever direction it is detelm-
ned to give it., whether by reference to select
committee, or one of our standing committees,
! | hope the Senate will act at once.
| The amendment was agreed to, and the reso-
luton as amended was adopted.