New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-02-23
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON. Feb. Is, 1sf

Fey RI Eli WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, 1857.
The Senate on yesterday passed the House bill pro-
vdng for the construction of three wagon roads to
California. 1t has been evident for some time that
the project of railroad to the Pacific could not be
carried through at the present session. The vastness
of the enterprise, the immense amount it would cost
and the doubt to the returns upon SO heavy an in
vestment have influenced many members OF Congress
against railroad to the Pacific who have no consti-
tutiona scrupes about the power Of the GeneraGov-
ernment to undertake it, 1t became well known, in
the early part OF the session. that it was futile press
the subject upon the attention of the present Con-
gress. Mr.. Weller, with indomitabe energy and per-
severance had struggled during the whole of the last
session to get the Senate to take up his bill for con-
sderation. And yet he could never succeed. Hist
firing exerons in behalf of the interests of his State
have been fifty ~ rewarded in his rejection from his
present poston-and the substitution of man wholly
unaccustomed to federal service. Such are the re-
wards of public men who faithfully the interests
of their constituents to the neglect of the modern art
of acquiring political popularity and influence
These wagon roads will serve all the present pur
poses of our intercourse with the Pacific. They will
be made under the superintendent of competent
corps of engineers and will be well made. Military
stations will be established here and there along the
line of the road, to protect emgrants and travellers
from hostile Indians, and to relieve them in case OF
suffering and want The cost of these roads will be
comparatively insignificant. On the whole, this Is
about as much the Californians had right to ex-
pect Perhaps the travel and commerce over these
roads may in few years, demonstrate the necessity
of milroad-and in that event, Congress will not
hesitate to construct it. Turnpikes and wagon roads
are usually the aUant coariers of ralroads-and time
WILL in all probability prove such to be the case in
| this instance.
Mr.. Bell of Tennessee, has given notice in the Sen
ate of his intention to introduce bill authorizing the
distributing the proceeds of the sales of the public
lands among the several States. This is substantially
the same policy in respect of the public lands which
Mr.. Clay recommended during his day, and which
was incorporated into the creed of the Whig party
Mr.. Bells proposition is to divide the money, arising
from sales of the public lands among the respective
States according to their federal numbers. But THOSE
States which have already received grants of lands
for railroads other purposes to have the value
of such grants, estimating the land at dollar and
quarter per acre, deducted from their propotionate
share.
The revenue arising from sales of the public lands
has increased very much in the last few years, owing
to the rise in real estate everywhere and the still fur
ther advancement of our population to the West.
During the last fiscal year receipts from this source
amounted in the gross to- l think, nearly eight mil
lions of dollars This is therefore, of the causes
of that unhealthy plethora in the treasury which our
almost reckless extravaganza of the last few years has
not served to diminish and which our Legislators are
even noT puzzng their brains to prevent. distri-
button, such as Mr.. Bell proposes would relieve the
treasury, give increased vitality and power to the
State governments, and, above all, would accomplish
an act of justice to the old States, which, under the
present system, derive appreciate benefit from
this vast public domain, which is the common prop
erty of ALL It is not without precedent for the same
thing has been done before. And, in fact, unless
Congress establish some fixed policy with regard tc
the public lands, there will be little left to quar-
rel over Fourteen millions of acres were granted
' for railroad purposes at the last sesson-and, NJ
longer ago than yesterday the Senate passed bill
is granting about four millions Of acres to Minnesota
enough to build railroads in that State aggregatng t.
W n nine hundred and ceatyjfue miles in length.
\, Yet Mr.. Bells proposition has not " the ghost of
chance Of success Our southern Democratic friend
will oppose it, in consideration of their traditional
" hostility 70 distribution, and their regard to tn
m rights Of the States-though do not see that tn
rights of the States be injuriousy affected b.
ID adding to their potcer and while the North
= western States will oppose it of course, they arr
A. now the principal benefciaries of this common terri
tory 1t scarcely probable for instance, that low
would consent to receive only her share OF the publ
N lands, when she can, whenever she chooses, get a
le many millions of acres she may want for the
I'D asking. Mr. Bells bill will hardly be reported tror
ID the committee.
u The Investigating Committee in the House has nc
r. yet made its report, in consequence of several men
Of ,rIo otnl bo,;
~ quested time to allow them to hunt up testimony an
" prepare defence. One of them, Mr.. Gilbert of Ne,
York-his name has already been freely used in til
newspapers, SO have no hesitation in mentionin
G. ithas been absent SO long from the city, apparent
:" for that purpose, that it is shrewdy suspected
Nv will not return at ALL The committee has no
in waited until within two weeks of the close Of IL
session, and will wait no longer The report W
probably be submitted tomorrow and the discu
AL sion Of this question and the passage of the
err. sary appropriation bills will probably consume all
to- the remainder of the session. No new business W
lie be originated and much of that the calendar pi
ticularly in the nature Of private bills will be meet
ler sarily overslaughed
re In the meantime, honorable members of the H0u
list continue the discussion Of the Tariff Bill notwit
standing the absolute certainty that it cannot he act
It's upon at the present session. In this connection ha
anu heard the highest encominms passed upon spec
which Mr.. Eustis delivered few days ago, relative
" the proposed abolition of the duty sugar, which
h" regret I did not have the pleasure of hearing
all sides it is declared to be an able and mastery
fence of the sugar interests of the State which he
ellis efficiently represents upon the floor of Congress
ee observation of Mr.. Eusts entire Congressional car
nm. has led me to the opinion--biassed by perso
the feeling for l have no acquaintance with hint
visit Louisiana cond not have here more efficient,
l%i liant and reliable exponent of her interests and
may be said without derogatng from the merits
L., the others. 1t was mainly due to his vigilance,
severance and activity that the bill for the imprc
III ment of the mouths of the Mississippi passed
hint the last session of Congress. Perhaps the young
member Of the House. he ranks already among
,ld first men of the body. EssE,
cry - ~, -,
g Of THE GREAT CIRCUS.-The performances at the
phtheatcr by the triple circes tonight will be
>. the benefit of the beautiful little equestrienue
~ danseuese, Kate Ormond, and of Master Frank Ba
r,ing the precoCious little bareback rider. The numei
Sons admirers of these miniature artists will be gla
may contribute towards the spending money of these