The Placer herald., 1858-06-26
From the Sacramento Mercury.
Br0derick and the Railroad.

When the news of the defeat of the Pac.
fic Railroad reached us, we then, upon exami-
nation Of the circumstances attending it
charged the postponement or defeat of the
bill upon Mr.. Broderick. His course was
eminently calculated to arouse the strongest
opposition from the South; and we demon
strated, at the time, the modus operandi by
which this recreant Senator foiled his col
league in the passage Of the bill.
We were hardly willing, however to be.
lieve that Broderick had gone it SO "bnd"
in his opposition, as the published debate
now demonstrates. 1t was certainly to be
supposed that he had read the bill, and knew
something Of its provisions. A Senator from
California should feel, at least, sufficient in
terest in bill of such magnitude, as to
make himself thoroughly acquainted with
each and every provision, clause or proviso,
so that he could urge it upon the Senate,
and be enabled to defend it against the at
tacks of its enemies. But it seems that
Broderick did not even do this-he was re-
ally ignorant of the provisions of the bill,
and did not seek to inform himself until the
very day upon which the measure was called
up for the consideration of the Senate. To
show this we give the following. Mr.. Gwin
was explaining and urging the bill. Mr..
Broderick rose in his seat and mad. the fol-
lowing inquiry:
Mr.. Broderick.-I desire to inquire of my
colleague if he has provided in lis bin for
making it obligatory on the contractors to
provide substantial system of Telegraphs'
Mr.. Gwin. Yes, sir.
Here, then, we find that he did net know
that the telegraph, about which we have heard
so much and read so such, was provided for.
Frederick, representing, the only State on
the Pacific, was ignorant Of the fact that II
bill, upon which he was to vote, contained a
provision for the buil!ng Of line of tele-
graph, connecting the Pacific with the Allan,
tic. But, then, as will be seen, he was very
glad of it," Yet he is not satistied-he
wants to know more about this bill, and
seeks the Information in open Senate, from
his colleage. Read it:
Mr.. Broderick.-T am glad of it; and there
is another point to which wish to direct
attention. am satisfied that the emigrant
route from Independence to Carson Valley.
which strikes the border of California, will
be selected 10y the contractors If it is left to
them to decide, and desire the Senate to
put this bill in such a shape that the selec-
ton of the route shall be left entirely to the
contractors.
Mr.. Gwiu-The Bill so provides. The
first section will enact that.
What will the people of California say to
this' 1t appears that the very fl St time that
Broderick directs his attention to the subject
Of the Pacific Railroad bill, is The day upon
which it is to be acted upon by the Senate.
No time, no attention, no study, no thought,
no work, has been bestowed 10y Broderick
upon this greatest and most important of all
measures to California. In fact, it seems that
he had never read the bill, else why should
he ask to be informed of its provisions? lg-
norant, stupid man, he disgraces the State
and the Senate. 1t would have been barely
excusable in Senator from an extreme East
ern State to make such inquiries, but it was
disgraceful upon the part of a California
Senator thus to make such disgusting ex-
hibition of ignorance, relative to a matter so
important to his own State. Suppose some
Senator had inquired of Broderck some
thing relative to the provisions of this bill.
What pretty figure he would here cut.
Says a Senator:
would like to inquire of the Senator from
California, Mr.. Broderick, if this bill provides
'for making it obligatory on the contractors
to provide substantial system Of telegraphs!'
Now, what response could the Senator
have made but thus:
Mr.. Broderick-I don't know, sir. | have
never read the bill; you will have to ask my
colleague, Mr.. Gwin, who knows.
Such would Lave inevitably been the case
he could have made no other answer.
Another Senator-Will the Senator from
California Mr.. Broderick, inform me "wheth.
er the selection of the route is left entirely
to the contractors"
Mr.. Broderick-I don't want to ''bo held
responsible" for this bill. l don't know what
is in it. ! said as much as that just now
when asked about the telegraphs, and Sena
tors will not "be permitted" to question me
about it any more. Once for all, refer
them to my colleague, Mr.. Gwin, who,
again say, knows all about it. Applause.
We appeal to all candid men and ask then
if they are not satisfied that Broderick i,
unfit for the position! Here, in a measure
vital to our interests and called for by the
entire people, he exhibits his ignorance an,
stupidity to an extent never before showI
by Senator of the United States. 1t i
clear that he paid no attention to this impor
tant subject and has been shametully derelic
in his duty. Let the people show him nov
unworthy he is considered by them.
WEALTH OF THE UNITED SrArEs-The az