The Placer herald., 1858-05-22
The Defeat of the Pacific Railroad Bill.

The people of California have naturally
felt deeply disappointed at the postponement
of the Pacific railroad bill in the U. S. SEN
ate until the next session Of Congress. To
them this has been a measure Of vital i'm
portance, and most anxiously had they cher
shed the hope that this great enterprise,
upon which the future greatness of Calitor-
MIA is so much dependent, would receive the
approval of the national council. With
them, all other prominent questions OF the
day, were insignificant in comparison. Kan
sas and Nicaragua served to interest, but in
the Railroad bill the whole heart and sym
patty of California was bound up.
This action Of the Senate has been the
signal for the entire brooc Of the opposition
press, ever ready and willing in their efforts
at Misrepresentation, to charge this defeat
to the Democratic majority, and endeavor to
convey the impression to the public mind
that the Democratic party is hostile to the
measure. Although we have reason to COM
plain Of a charge so unfair and foreign to
the truth, we cannot say that we are disap-
pointed, when bearing in mind, that with
the opposition, such are the only weapons
by which they hep to create a feeling Of
prejudice against the dominant party.
The truth, is, in relation to the Railroad
bill that the vote upon the postponement,
was no showing of the strength Of the ad-
vocates of the measure in that body. Sever
cral Senators, upon recording their votes,
distinctly stated their approval Of the enter
prise, but urged the impossibity of any
thing being accomplished at the present ses-
sion, while the Kansas question remained to
distract Congressional deliberations; and a
depleted Treasury warned against large
appropriation of the public moneys. AL
though with Californians, these objections
appear as if they might have been overcome,
vet, when it is considered that factious
majority in the House Of Representatives
have declared BY words and acts, that the
Kansas question should clog the wheels Of
all healthy and needful legislation, it is not
surprising that question of such vast i'm
portance to the nation at large should be
deferred until more reasonable period,
when it could come up upon its own merits,
to be deliberated upon when the judgments
of men will be less Influenced by sectional
feelings, and when the Kansas question will
have been committed to the care of the peo-
pie of the territory to which it belongs.
Upon consideration of the question in all
its bearings we are not disposed TO feel that
chagrin in the pos,ponement, SO fully ex-
pressed by some of our Democratic cotem-
porares. Had the bill passed the Senate,
there was no hope that it would have gone
through tie House, with Kansas in that
branch Of Congress at dead lock, and the
session limited to the first days of June.
The session Of so will find the ground bet
ter cleared for action. The delay will not
detract from the Importance or necessity OF
road, but will only tend the more to show
the vast benefits arising to the country from
its construction, and add to its advocates in
other States Of the Union We are there
fore content to wait vet lorger; knowing full
well that every day but gives more promin-
ence TO the enterprise, and prepares it to take
precedence of measures that stand in the
way of its success.
The people Of California will understand
that the course of Mr. Broderick so far f ON
advancing the interests of the road, has rath-
er initiated against it.; he being constantly
found fighting against the administration,
except upon this one question. Under such
circumstances it was evident that he would
carry but little weigh for The benefit of the
State that sent him. To advance the inter-
ests of the road in the Senate, we have only
a half representation.
EF- The Folsom estate seems to have been
ou;rageously administered upon by the Ex
ecutors. In late exhibit Of their steward
ship, they show that they have received in all
S979,36O, of which Sll7,SOO remains on
hand, which would make the amount dis
bursed by them 1858 $50.
The whole amount of Fosom's indebted
ness, including mortgages, etc., was $685.
857, of which there is now outstanding $780,.
s4s, leaving but $4l6,Ol4 as paid with $685.
500.
The expenses allowed in the settlement Of
the estate have been enormous. Selover &
Sinton, were allowed the modest sum Of