The daily Butte record., 1858-02-17

esseutiou VI OonBrcs5, hsluc iEom ING Iuhua-
mental principles Of the Federal govern
ment Itispossible that this Railroad move
ment is made in oil earnestness, bat we con-
fess to but little faith in the sincerity of the
Chairman Of the Pacific Railroad Committee.
Should that gentleman, however, show by
his firm and consistent advocacy OF, the pres
emit measure. the groundlessness Of the
charges that his interest and sympathy are
with those who are opposed to the construc-
ton Of q Railroad across the continent, we
shall be ready to render the full mede OF
praise to which just and impartial action
upon so important measure is entitled.
The initial point of the line, as designated
in the bill, will, doubtless, be in the Valley
Of Kansas river, in the vicinity of latitude
30. This is a starting point for a grand
national Railroad. far preferable to the Sec
tonal Jealousy which would carry it down
TO the 32nd parallel Of latitude, as recon
mended by the former Secretary of War.
Nothing but the utter impracticability of a
central route, can unite the energies of the
nation upon any extreme northern or south
ern route, and turn the travel from that
great thoroughfare which has poured its
thousands Of hardy pioneers and settlers
upon the Pacific coast.
The most important news from Washing
ton is the introduction in the Senate by Mr.
Gwin, the chairman of the Committee of the
Pacific Railroad. The bill provides to locate
the road at a point on tho Missouri river,
between the Big Sioux and the Kansas river
thence running to San Francisco on the most
eligible route.
In aid Of the construction Of the work, nj
ternatc sections of land on each side of tho
road are to be granted, and twelve thous-
and five hundred dollars advanced upon the
completion of every rs miles Of the track
until $20,000,000 are expended. The
amouat TO DO reimbursed in mail service.
and the transportation Of troops, and the mu-
nitons of war. The President il to receive
tho bids and make the contract for twenty
years. Five per cent. of the stock is to be
issued.
1t would thus appear that the bill pro-
vides for government aid, by the appropri-
ton Of land, and the Advancement of money
as the road progresses, until the twenty
millions have been expended. The amount
stated to be advanced upon the completion
of every 25 miles of the road, is undoubtedly
an error, as but trifling proportion of the
twenty mil lion would be advanced upon the
completion of the road.
The right of the government to build the
road, or to thus aid in its construction, has
been generally conceded. Experience has
also demonstrated the fact that Congress
will, very reluctantly, if ut all, consent to
upon the very verge of the Republic, either
north or south. The measure is easy of ac-
complishment, il concentration can be had.
This bill seems to promise such result, and
it is to 30 hoped that it will meet with the
sanction of Congress. Our thousands of
miles of inland navigation will then no Ion
ger constitute the only theme of astonish-
ment to the pompous laggards of the old
world; but the iron bands connecting New
York with San Francisco, viii attest the en-.
terprise and energy of tho nation, aud the
beneficial influence OF free government.
1t is altogether improbable that Rail
road commenced in latitude 80. would run
south to the 32nd parallel, and thence north
to San Francisco, in the 3Sh parallel Of
latitude. 1t is much more reasonable to
suppose that it would enter California upon
the only practicable pass through the Sierra
Nevada Mountains, at Honey Lake. and
thence down the Sacramento Valley. We
are aware that Marysville would prefer the
Truckee Lake and Hennoss Pass route, and
Sacramento would prefer "Johnson's Cut
off," but the pretensions of these passes will
rapidly disappear when their natural i'd
vantages are fairly compared with those of
the Honey Lake pass. The Grand Trunk
Railway Of California can easily be made to
the eastern boundary of the State at Honey
Lake, and thither it must go, or the most
wealthy and valuable portion of California,
will be abandoned for the construction of a
railroad five or six hundred miles down the
southern coast. and from thence over dry
and uninhabitable deserts.
II this bill now before Congress. signifies
anything. II is time that all that portion OF
California, lying north of the Bay of San
Francisco. were united in urging the claims
Of q practible pass for a'railroad. 1t is not
aquestion Of mere local advantage to the
different cities and towns of the Sacramento
and Its tributaries, but one of vital import
ance to the most wealthy portion of the
State-that entire portion to which San
Francisco looks for the wherewith to meet
the demands Of steamer Day" II may
we'll DO claimed as true interest Of San Fran
Disco. 10 hAYa the railroad antar tho North.