The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1858-04-21
Proceedings sr Congress.
PACIFIC RAILROAD.

q PACIFIC RAILROAD.
We call the special attention Of our read
srs to the indications in the motion made by
Senator Benjamin Of disposition on the
part Of the national oligarchy to defeat the
project for Railroad to the Pacific unless
IL be built upon an extreme Southern route,
which, MS Senator Broderick said, would be
81 no more practical utility to the country
than railroad TO the moon.
MIR. Benjamin, Of La, considered it obvi-
ous that the Senate cannot agree on any route
With diminished treasury and prospective
expense he could not think that Senat ors
imagine they can pass the bill. He would
move test vote, that the further considera.
tion of the subject be postponed until De-
cember.
Mr.. Gwin, OF California, considered such
vote an indicati on that the Administration
9oss not intend to give any aid to connect
- Atlantic with the Pacific, and as viola.
Slon Of all pledges Of 1856.
Mr.. johnson, Of Ark, said the spirit of
seeeionalism 10 so strong there is no hope OF
esoate offering justice to the South. He
would therefore vote to postpone the bill till
December.
Mr.. Houston, Of Texas, moved that the
Eastern terminus OF the road be in Arkan
sas, opposite Memphis, Tenn, and spoke in
favor Of the FL Paso route.
Mr.. Frederick reminded the Adminstra-
ton opponents Of the bill that the vote of
California was given to Mr.. Buchanan on
faith OF Pacific Railroad. As to an e1-
sreme Southern route we might as well have
railroad to the moon. II would cost an
equal amount to carry the road from South
Carolina to San Francisco.
Mr.. lverson was 10 favor Of the construc-
ton Of the road and believed it constitu onal
70 make such . CONTRACTS. Government now
payS 81 300, 00O snnuAliy for carrying malls
ron the Atlantic to The Pacific. Thus, be-
Tore 30 years, it will havs expended 1t pres
ssnt rates $4,000, 600, which il more eco
ssnical. Senate and country may Judge.
Ar. iversSfn1n explained his plan, which
had been 20 ewn. 1t was compfomisc
line, the Big Sseux being on the parallel Of
Chicago, the middle OF the line being within
reach Of st. Louis, and the south, crossing
the Rio Grandc at Albuquerque, might con-
meet with the Texan fines, thus giving con-
nection with all the X. Il. systems or ths
country. But as the greater strength Of the
North offered but slieAA chance for Justice
to the Southern iatsssst, he would vote for
the postposensns Of the mattel. until Dssssl-
Der.
Mr.. Green II aet like to hear lhe issue
raised g. to aS16e4 q the North and
SCI - u the road Wa
By ~ 1ntaeeet 81 al. He
Dol. = eeafnsat u The North
itself osaid e4lA - view, and the North
wcaio eaGh ths heavens should
pspSzscv NIL.
y - - following that the
dsa6 1pW an1ar discussion, and
~ a1t1ine revelations in ref
- sxtravaganos and COR
y &Amiaistrasion in rslsrsn %
60 y supply Of the arny, carry
ing he mail, and in fast throsehcut the en-
tire system OF disbursements.
Mr.. Hunter made an earnest endeavor to
have the deficiency bill taken up.
Messrs. Fessenden and Trumbull equally
earnestly opposed taking it up till the Sem
ate shall have time to consider il.
Mr.. Fessenden said that the Administra-
ton knew OF those necessities in January al
we'll as it does now: and MIR. Trumbull eta-
ting that belief exists that much OF M III
fciency arises from contracts entered inS~
without sanction Of law, and from usurpa.
ton on the part Of the Government on quar-.
tering an army in Kansas and sending =.
other 70 winter in the rocky mountains.
Finally, the bill was made the special or
der for twelve and q half O'Clock % Monday
Mr.. Hale previously moving to amend add.
ing section that no contract shall be heoos
forth entered into by an officer Of govern.
ment except under law or under an appropsi'
alton adequate for its fultillment. me -
OF May Let, ls20, so provides, excspt Ii u,
Quartermastsr's department, and Nj. Hale
amendment is intended to cover that omis
sion.