Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-01-04
From our Wa inston Correspondent.

/ w AsHNeTos, Dec 81, 1853. :.
| Holidays Festieities-De nth Of e,a5er-lla,aiI
Road to- The Pacific Distribution Of the Pubic
/ Enthusiastically of the Interiors uaeus-D Dele
| s. gate from Neao Werico.
This closes the week, and the year. The old year
with all its joys and all its SORROWS is about to take
its flight, and year with all its hopes and
promises opens to our view. This city has been one
continued scene of festvty and rejoicing for the last
week. Congress has met but rarely, and then the
cypress of grief interngled with the scene so that
no business of Importance was transacted
The death of Mr.. Campbell, new member from
Tennessee, (indrew Johnson's old District was an
nounced on Tuesday. On Wednesday his funeral
preached in the House, at which both Houses of
Congress, the President and Cabinet and many 9TH
attended, and the remains transferred to the
Southern Boat to be carried to his late residence in
Tennessee, under charge of the Sergeant at Arms of
the House, and Messrs. Smith and Churchwell, of
Tennessee. This occurrence of the death of mem
Der and the gorgeous pageant of Congressional
funeral, is rather costly affair to the Treasury.
Counting the loss of time the expenses of commit
tee, funeral badges and the
" Customary suits of solemn black
Together with all FORMS modes and shows Of grief"
it will cost the government not lcssthan six to eight
thousand dollars. 1t were far better if this money
must be spent, to give it to the grefstricken widow
and bereaved orphan of the unfortunate public
want who thus falls at the post of duty.
One of the most important questions that will
cupy the present Congress is the construction of
Rail Road to the Pacific. The Message of the Pres
dent brings the matter before Congress The report
of the Secretary of War shows the vast Importance
of this work. At the last session $50, 900 ap-
proprated {" to ascertain the most practical and
nomical route for Rail Road from the Mississippi
River to the Pacific Ocean. 1t is required that the
result of these surveys shall be laid before Congress
by the first Monday in February. No one enteralnS
the idea that the several corps of Engineers, in
this extensive field will report by tlat time In the
mean time Congress is busy with this important
question. On Tuesday last Mr.. Seward, of New
York. introduced bill, which has created much en-
quiry, and seems TO meet much favor. 1t provides
that Company is to be formed, and with the Com
pany the is to contract for the construc
ton of "a first class Railroad" from point in
the western boundary of Of the Atlantic States
to the eastern boundary of California. The public
land necessary for the width of the bed of the Road
to be coded to the Company the Secretary of War
to contract for the construction Of the Road with
any Company, which is duly Incorporated by any
State-the government to pay the amount of the
lowest bid, either in cash Or per cent stock-thc
Road is to be finished in five years, and the Compa-
ny enjoy for fifty years the profits of the Road
and at the end the government has the right to buy
the road at the cost and 0 per cent thereon. The
Company arc to spend in good faith one million of
dollars of its money, before any is to be paid
by the United States Then the Company are to re-
ceive sum bearing the same proportion to the whole
amount to be paid by the United States Chat is the
amount of the accepted bid) that million bears
to the estimated cost In some shape or form this
great project will and must be accomplished.
This the public demands and the progressive spirit
of the age will stop at nothing short of it. Even
in these times of peace the heavy expense the great
delay the dangers and casualty by the usual tedious
routes subjects of deep and loud complaints. But
in time of war with possessions OH the Pacific,
such communication must be had for the munitions
of and men. That bill may be SO framed as
" not to conflict with the republican land marks as
expoundcd and illustrated by those who framed our
Constitution is the earnest wish of the government
and such will meet the favor of the Federal gov
ernment An account of the disasters by the present
route to California, the loss of life, and property
would alarm every real friend to the country and
expedite this important work. Only by last mail
we hear ofthe siipwreck of the Steamship Winfield
Scott which had many passengers and alarge amount
of gold OH board
1t is expected, too, the distribution of the Public
Lands (alias Benefits biD will be forthcoming 1t
receives but little favor from the true of the DEM
ocratc party and cannot get vote in your Delegation
from the Democratic side. The report of the Secre-
tary of the Interior, Gov McClelland, shows that
the present land system is founded correct prin-
cplcs, and that nothing retards the growth and
prosperity of the country more nor infcts greater
injury upon the resident than the possession by in
dividuas or companies of extensive uncultivated |
tracts of the public lands" There is danger that
any such bill viii become law of the land, and it +
is to be regretted that in State but your own has
the Democracy been troubled with this question.
The member from New Mexico, MIR. Galegos, has
hard time, for ne does not speak understand
word of English. Even at dinner he has to use
interpreter. His seat is contested but with little
chance of success He is said to be good man and
intelligent lawyer.
hope to make my next letter more intercstingas
Congress will commence to work in earnest when the
days over and important questions will be be
lore them and matters of much interest discussed.
LITTLE DAVY.