Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-01-28
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP,

political experience here, we have rarely seen
the opposition evince SO great desperation in
the measures to which they resort, as in the
present stage Of the Kansas imbroglo De-
feated at every turn up to this point, their
present game is to intimidate Northern Demo-
Gratis from fearlessly discharging their whole
duty to their politca! principles, by maligning
and otherwise disappearing the Lecompton
Convention and those on whom has been de-
volved the duty of carrying out its resolves.
Heretofore, they have made much by pertina-
ciously repeating false allegations of fraud and
violence against the Democrats of the Territory;
and in the hope of further profting by pursuing
the same line of policy, they are laboring with
might and main to dscredit the conduct of
General Calhoun with the northern Democrats
of the House. Fortunately, that gentleman is
shortly to arrive here. His presence will at
once defeat the schemes of his accusers and
maligners.
We know well that he will promptly satisfy
all who are seeking honestly only to be salts
fed of the integrity of his discharge of the du-
ties devolved on him by the schedule of the
Lecompton Constitution, that in justice as we'll
as under the strict letter of the law the Lee
compton Constitution may be accepted by Con-
gress with as much propriety as ever a consti-
tuition of an applying flor admission) United
States Territory was accepted by the Congress
OF the United States. "Dvide and conquer"
Is in this case the policy of the opposition and
their allies; the latter having also stalk I'd their
hope of future success in public life on welding
to their own advantage the anti-slavery senti-
ment of the North. We cannot believe that
with the experience which every Democratic
representative has had in the matter of the plots
and counter-plots of the abolition opposition,
and in the almost invariable result to Demo-
cratic public men of playing into their hands,
that in this case they will be able to influence
to use-any really sincere member of the Demo
cratic party organization to their en- d.
IHE PACIFIC RAILROAD.-This afternoon we
manage to make room for the publication of a
synopsis of the Pacific Railroad bill, recently
reported by Senator Gwin, the chairman of the
Senate's committee on that subject We have
caused this synopsis to be drawn out in the
| belief that the American public at large has a
| great interest in the subject:
The first section authorizes the President TO
make contracts for the transportation, by rail-
Ii.
pines, &c, from point on the Missouri river,
between the mouths of the Big Sioux and Kansas
rivers to San Francisco, OH the most eligible
rou.emrsference being had to feasibility, short
The second directs the advertisement for pro
posals for constructing the road and performing
specify first, the time required for building and
putting in operation the road which must not
exceed ten years Also, what portions will be
completed and operated progressively during
| each year. Secondly, the time when the road
with all Its rolling stock and appurtenances will
be surrendered to the United States Thirdly, at
what rate mot exceeding $500 per mile per an
num) the mails will be carried on said road for
twenty years after its completion, and OH the
different portions thereof it's construction pro-
presses Also, at what rate, during a like period
troops, seamen, passengers, military and naval
supplies, &c, for Government purposes will be
transported which rates must not exceed what
hds heretofore been paid on other roads. IL also
provides that after the contract expires the Gov
eminent shall not be charged more for such ser
vice than is paid on other first class roads
section THREE authorizes the President to open
| SAID proposals IN the presence of his Cabinet
and to enter into contract for the TRANSFORMATION
| and service specified above. 1t requires that the
| party with whom a contract is made shall de-
post with the Secretary of the Treasury S5H ono
| or the value thereof in United States bonds or
certlncates OF stock, guarantee for the fulfil
Hlent OF the contract. This sum is to be subse-
the secretary is shown that Ike amount has
Deen expended in the construction of the road
The fourth section provides for the appropri-
auon OF quantity OF public lands equal to the
dternhte sections, for twenty miles either side
OF SAID road throughout Its entire length In
case any OF these lands may have been disposed
OF the deficiency is to be made up from any un-
appropriated lands within forty miles on either
she OF said road The mineral lands of Califor
MIA are excluded from this provision and in lien
, u an equal quantity of agricultural lands
nearest the line Of the road i'm those districts
shall be selected in alternate sections
sectlon I'VE requires the contracting party to
proceed without delay in locating the route iur-
81 plat and map TO the President who shall
cause the public lands within forty miles on each
side to be surveyed, and the Indian titles thereto
extnguished; and shall also extend the pre-
einptlon laws over all such lands as shall moi no
appropriated TO the Use Of the road
The sixth section enacts that the road be di.
VIueG INTO sections OF twenty-five miles each,
sn,, ,hat when one section is completed, three
iouTths OF the appropriated lands appettainjny
thereto shall he convened to the contracting par.
", ana the other fourth held security for the
completion OF the succeeding section. When
TINS is finished, three fourhs of the land apper-
tanning 1t, and the ne-fourh appertainino TO
the first section. which was withheld shalt be
conveyed, and so on progressively until the road
IS hhlshed This section also provides for the
payment of the compensation which NAV no
agreed upon for the trans portaion of the mails
The next section authorizes the issuing 10 the
eon.rac.Ins party on the completion of the fl st
twenty-five miles Of the road, United States bones
10 the amount of 81 $50 per mile which are IN
bear interest, payable semi annually moi exceed
i"s Hse pei cent, ana are t. be paydblp nineteen
airs alter the date Of Sid contract On IN. ON
Isllon oi tue second section of the road similar
amount OF bonds is to be issued and so with n.
succeeding section until the : ad is q she'd nro
s sIaI ~ me aggregate amount shall not exceed
sSo,uo,oo. These payments are declared to be
advances made TO the contracting party and To-
sethef with interest, they TO be repaid in
.lahsPoLtation and service, as provided for In the
act, before any other compensation besides the
ianas appropriated Is to be given for such trans
po.tdion ana service This section also pro-
Vides That the contracting party shall paw duty
on all IRON imported for the road, and shal give
the preference to American railroad iron IL the
latter Of equal quality can be obtained N a cos,
nor exceeding that from foreign countries
The eighth section enacts that in case the con.
tracing party fails to prosecute the work 80 AZ 70
secure It's completion in compliance with the
terms OF the agreement, all their rights TO the
SAID road, right Of way lands or other property
pertaining thereto, together with the unex pended
amount OF stocks deposited, shall be foif.ited
In the event Of such forfeiture, the President il
s 10 relet the uncompleted portions of
the Work. on terms not exceeding those provid.d
Tor IN this act, and so to secure its arlicst
completion. " '"'i''''
SNCfi nil