Oroville daily Butte record., 1856-07-15
Military Road Across the pla,ns.

cuT0eSls ~ iHhuNC OSbS lSSS W h''tAS SNiA'S
provision for the construction ofa thorough
fare across the plains to California. The
subject Of railroad from the Atlantic to
Pacific, has occupied the attention of the
American people and Of Congress, since
1S45, when the subject was introduced into
Congress BY the memorial Of Asa Whitney.
The subject has been constantly before Con-
gress since that time, and has been the
theme of innumerable speeches, reports.
SURVEYS and electioneering thunder. More
than two-thirds Of the States Of the Union
have declared in favor Of the construction
of a railroad across the plains, and each
session Of Congress has been flooded with
memorials petitions and resolutions, and yet
Congress has not sanctioned the measure, or
oiyen very strong indications Of DISPOSE
tion to DO so. On the 18th of April, the
subject was brought to the attention of tho
Senate by Mr.. Weller, in an able speech -
The hill then under consideration, differed
somewhat from those previously presented
70 Congress 1t Itprovides for the construc-
tion of only one road, and invites competition
from the various routes which have been
surveyed. 1t gives to the contractors alter
rote sections of land for the space OF twelve
,n;Ies an each side of the road from its east
ern to it's western terminus, mineral lands
in California excepted ltalso further pro-
vidcs that, upon that part OF the hoau
which passes through the territories OF the
United States, the government Will advance
to tho contractors-in the form OF a loan
two and a half millions of its bonds, bearing
six per cent interest, for each one huhdreo
miles of the road which shall have been com
pleted and put into full operation. Many
will remember the opposition with when 'he
nroiect of MIR. Whitney was assaied, when
II first claimed public attention, because OF
the donations of land it required. He pro-
posed to construct the road for approprla-
tions of land, but was refused. The subject
has since been agitnted, viewed and discuss
ed in in all its bearings, and the bill now un-
der consideration proposes not only TO grant
land hut also to loan money for the con-
struction of the road. Indeed, it has been
the policy of the government for years pas''
to make large and liberal donations OF the
public lands to States and companies, TO aiu
them in the construction of roads and canals
Nor has the government suffered anything
by this policy. Whilst the States have been
materially benefited, the general govern
ment, by the increased value Of its reserved
lands, has been fully remunerated for these
donations. Several States have been ena-
bled. by this policy, to complete public
works of incalculable value to the whole
nation. Under this system, the Federal
government is regarded rs a land proprietor
the owner Of an immense region OF unoc-
cupied lands and. as such is called upon to
contribute towards public work, which
renders valuable, lands which in their pres
ent condition are va,ueless When MIR.
Wbitney's project was first submitted to the
people, the trade of the Pacific was an occa-
Z
sional cargo of hides aud horns, and it was
the remark of distinguished statesman.
when California was acquired from Mex co,
that it was mot worth dollar" Now 0nr
harbors are filled with the flags of every na-
ton. and over four hundred millions of dol
lars in gold have been taken from our soil,
and still there is no project perfected for
national thoroughfare across the continent
On the Goth of May, Mr.. Weller, from the
committee on military affairs, reported a
bill for the construction of a military road
across the plains which was read and passed
to second reading The bill is as follows
Bill. for the construction of n military
road from some point in the State of Mis-
sonri, via Great Salt Lake City to "Carson
Valley Settlement" on the eastern portion
of the State of California, and for the estab-
lishment of Military posts, and the sinking
of wells thereupon.
Be it enacted by the Senate and house of
REPRESENTATIVES of the United States of A
merica in Congress assembled, That the
sum of three hundred thousand dollars, or
as much thereof as may be necessary, be,
and the same is hereby appropriated out OF
any money in the treasury not not other
wise appropriated, for the construction of
military road from some point in the State
of Missouri, to be determined by the Pres-
dent of the United States, via. Great Salt