The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-26


The PaeJfe Railroad BM-Petty Interests Defeat
ing The Nthonal Ones-CoL WeHers Bas--
Commencement of the Campaign Speeches The
Nesc Steamer Vanderbilt, &C., &c
The subject which seems to absorb more of pub
Tic attention and interest at this time than any other
is the Pacific Railroad BILL which has been sleeping
for six months in the Special Committee, and still
sleeps there in spite Of the report Of the Chairman
which appeared on Monday last In the columns OF
the HERALD, and in spite Of the majority aud mino-
rity reports ordered tais morning to be printed in
advance Of any report being made to Congress from
the said Special Committee. Nothing is more EVIL
dent than that proper bill for the construction of
a Pacific railroad could be easily passed if dife-
rences of opinion as to the details could be reconc
ed. The decided disposition in Congress is to make
liberal grant of land for this great enterprise bu.
to whom the grant shall be made is the leading
question
The Special Committee in the House, agreed,
by vote Of to 2, to make the grant
e. SSt The in despatch some days
signs reporting should he ever get an opportunity,
q wholly different bill, and one which viii be con-
demned by the committee and the House. The in
tereHts OF the little town of Shrevespor; on Red
River receives the principal consideration of the
author of the report, and to this little one horse
town, like the needle to the magnet all the roads
must tend. II proper organization for the south
ern road can he efected-0ne which will secure the
early and prompt completion Of the road-thsn .
otherwise.
The bill of Col. Weller in the Senate proposes to
let the road to contract through the Executive
officers of the government but this plan he admits
will not be sanctioned by the opposition. Harmony
as to details Of plan will alone secure US the benefit
The night sessions having been introduced, we
may now regard the campaign as regularly inaugu.
rated, as it is understood that only campaign
speeches are to be made, and no business to be
transacted.
Last evening, Hon. Mr.. Barksdale of Miss,
lead off in speech Of great power and eloquence in
which he pressed to the wall black republicsnism,
and defended the straight out doctrines OF the cons
tuition, untrammefed by any further compromises.
Mr.. Barksdale is shrewd politician and statesman
OF enlarged and liberal views. Many other campaign
speeches on each side were let off, and the evening
sessions bid fair to become very popular with al
but the officers Of the House.
The steamship Vanderbilt will be visited on Satur.
day next by most Of the members of the two houses
Of Congress. In the meantime, however, the old
Commodore is on hand to receive handsomely the
many ladies and gentleman who visit this splendid
specimen Of naval architecture.
WASHINGTON, July "a, 1856.
The Guano Discoreries- The Question of Right
To ,chom does the G1ano Beiong?-Action of Con.
gress.
The question Of giving legislative protection to
the discoveries of deposits Of guano has attracted
considerable attention. The Peruvian monopoly has
become so burdensome that American agricuturists
are almost debarred the use of this valuable fer
tiizer. Recently it has become known that certain
islands with deposits of guano thereon have been
discovered by American shipmasters engaged in the
whaling trade out of New England.
lo1 ~ <lal ~
all such discoveries inure to the country of which
the discoverer is a citizen subject. No general
advantage to the country or the discovcrer can be
derived unless Congress shall pass law affect
ing the case. The government can do nothing with
the discovery and without the sanction of law the dis
coverer has no acknowledged rights bill has been
time pending before the Senate establishing the
rights Of parties on just basis. The opponents Of
the measurefor there usually opponents to all
measues-ssy the general law is sufficient; that the
country obtains the rights of territory and no egis-
iation is necessary. The answer to this objection
may be stated in the following words:-
l. The discovery would be yalueless to the coun-
try unless some indncement were held out for the
emplo, ment OF labor and capital, so that the nc
quired right Of territory could be turned to profit
able account by private enterprise under govern
ment sanction and protection.
\ 2. This government cannot work guano bed
with any greater proprety than it could coal mine
or cotton field Some private party must be
clothed with the power and right to fulfil this duty.
Who proper TO do this he who has by his energy
and intelligence, the Of his time, his labor aud
his means effected the discovery and protected the
right Of title by actual occupationi
3. Should such discoveries once made be thrown
open to all the world all the national benefits would
Lcease, conflicts Of authority would ensue confusion
and In, tha a.
|.power would prevail.
Such q course cannot be approved, and certainly
| ought to be deprecated. These terms would seem
be conclusive on this point In regard to the i'm
portance OF the discoveries, and the advantage
(which the country must derive from them, IL Is
Sufficient TO coy that we are now, In regard 70 the
.fraihc In guano at the mercy OF Peru and her Eng
Itish agents. The price affixed to the article IL
orbitant Peru refuses peremptorly TO enter into.
ANY negotiation the basis Of ameoration of her
guano code Her commercial regulations are on
mtted with any nation. A ship though In Distress
dropping her aacber In the open anchorage OF the
tChincha Islands IL by the port regulations Of Peru
conhscated. II guano u found on board. the vessel
is not only thus sacrifice with ,ut trial but her Off
Sters end crw are 10 b. deemed and punished rs
guilty of robbery. II Is very greatly N the discredit
pf our diplomacy that such regulations permitted
% exist IN the code OF any nation with which we
profess to have commercial treaties.
D The only remedy acceptable 10 ns, while Peru is
permitted 10 set at naught all the principles Of
iopal justice and country. Is to take the means nov
o6ered 10 become Independent of her trade in gusno.
and to rely for our supplies on the enterprise of our
ywn citizens
A third point on which difference OF opinion ex-
ats in regard to the bill under consideration, IL
regard 10 the rate affixed for sales Of guano at the
Islands, These rates are six dollars per ton deli
erabe in it, native place of deposte or ten dollars
pn shipboard. II would seem that these terms
hight TO be satisfactory; In comparison with those
~ Peru, the reduction Ii very great. The price
charged nj the Chncba islands u from s25 20 s3o
he ton, and allowing for freight and other charges
49, the cost in the United states IL not less than
Jas theston. The American will cost delivered in
khe Atlantic ports about $50 the ton. The quality
COMPARES fagorably with the Peruvian in some OF
he chemical elements IL h far superior; In the
}hssphates II sbounds In an extraordinary degree,
md In the valuable qualities il more III an supplies
be small deficiency which appears TO exist in am
ioniA-
This bill was finally taken up to-day and passed
ithout any opposition. IL IL matter Of great i'm