The true Democrat., 1856-12-30
New Pacific Railroad Bill.

A dispatch from Wahsington, dated the 18th lnst., says It Is understood that another Pacific railroad bill Is about to be introduced into the House. It IS on magnificent scale and is en- titled "A bill to provide for the construction of railroad and telegraghic communication from the Mississippi river and Lake Superior to the Pacific ocean," Three main roads are project ed, viz: One from point on the Mississippi river south o. 36 to San Francisco, with a branch to San Diego. Another from some point on the Missouri river north of latitude 4O and south of latitude 43 to San Francisco. With branch to Marysvilie, Sacrimento, Stock. ton, and San Jose. The third from some point on Lake Superior to Pugets Sound, with a branch to the mouth of the Willamette river. To each of these routes the bill proposes to grant thirty sections of land for each mile of railroad, the land to be selected by parties nam ed ln the bill from the nearest vacant unappro- prated vacant lands ofthe United States, which shai! be withdrawn from sale or entry or pre- emptlon, and, If required, shall be surveyed under the direction of the Secretary of the h. terror; provided the parties named in the bill shall not be compelled to take any waste lands and shall pay to the United States twenty five cents per acre; provided, also that no title shall rest In them any faster than the roads are ex- tended to completion Further, they shall de- poslt with the Secretary of the Interior. within SIX months after the passage of this act. s2OO- OOO III good United States or State securities as guarantee that one hundred miles of each must be completed within eighteen months of tfe time ot the establishment of the routes W hen sad hundred miles are ready for the tack the Secretary of the Interior shall allow the parteS named the use of sain S2OOOOO to purchase Iron therefor, and in lieu thereof take nrst mortgage bond on, the road for that amount, to be held until the entire line is com pleted.
 Under the bill the United States are to pay S3OV per mile for the transportation of the mails until the completion of the road. and for ten years thereafter. Also, for the transporta- ton ot the troops and munitions of war such reasonable sum as the President and Secreta- ry ot War may determine. If the parties fail to build the lines within ten years from the date Of their location, all right to the land not at that time paid for shall be forfeited to the United States. The right of way to the width Of four hundred feet through the public lands lsproposed to be granted. Further, six sections of land per mile IS to be granted to the follow Ing roads, under the restriction that any amount heretofore granted to the State where they are located for thelr use and benefit, shall be de- ducted therefrom, viz: The south western branch of the Pacific railroad, the Iron Moun tam railroad, the Cairo and Fulton railroad. the Memphis and Little Rock railroad, the Missis- spp, Ouachita, and Red River railroad the New Orleans, Opelousas, and Great Western railroad, connecting with the first named routes of the Pacific railroad; the Hannibal and St Joseph railroad, the Burlington, Keosauoua and Missouri railroad the Philadelphia Fort Wayne and Platte Valley railroad, the Missis- sippi and Missouri railroad, the Iowa Central Ar Line railroad, the Dubuque and Pacific railroad, the North Iowa, Minnesota, and Ne braska railroad, connecting with the second named route; of the Transit Railroad, and the North Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota railroad. connecting with the third named route Each of these proposed grants is under the proviso that fifty miles of road must be completed within three years after the passage of this act, and the balance within five years thereafter. The United States mails shall be carried at the usual prices for such services Further pro- vlslons make It the duty of companies named named to construct their roads, etc., in a good substantial manner, with a uniform guage.- All the property of said com -panies in the ter ritories is to be exempt from taxation as long as they are Territories. None of them shall con struct their roads through the lands of any h. dlan tribes without the consent of said tribes. They must sell and conveyhalf of the lands granted within five years, and the balance with In ten years from the issuing of the patent from the United States, and all land not sold at the expiration of ten years shall be forfeited to the United States