The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-04-27
Western Democrat.
CHARLOTTE, n G.
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.

In the Senate on the 18th, the bill to construct
the Pacific Railroad was discussed and then post
poned till December next Below we give a
sketch of the discussion on the occasion
Mr. BENJAMIN of La considered it obvious that
the Senate cannot agree on any route With
diminished treasury, loans and prospective ex-
penses, he could not think that Senators imag CINE
they can pass the bill. He would therefore, move,
as test VOTE that the further consideration OF the
subject be postponed till December.
Mr. Gwin of Cal. would consider such vote an
Indication that the Administration does not intend
to give any aid to connect the Atlantic and the
Pacific, and as violation Of all the pledges OF
1856.
Mr. johnson of Ark. said the spirit of sectional
ism is SO strong that there is no hope of route
offering Justice to the South. He would, therefore
vote to postpone the subject till December.
Mr. Houston of Texas moved that the Eastern
terminus of the road be in Arkansas, opposite
Memphis, Tennessee, and spoke in favor OF the
Ell Paso route.
Mr. Broderick of Cal. reminded the administra-
ton opponents of the bill that the vote of California
was given to Mr. Buchanan on the faith OF a
Pacific railroad. AS to extreme southern route
we might rs well have a railroad to the moon,
inasmuch as it would cost an equal amount to
carry the road from South California to San
Francisco.
Mr. Iverson of Ga. was in favor of the construc-
ton of the road and believed it constitutional to
make such a contract.
Mr. Green of Mo. did not like to hear the issue
raised on this question of the North and South,
for the reason that if the road was built at all, it
will be for the interest of all.
MIR Wilson of Mass. said that the sentiment of
the State of Massachusetts, approaches unanlmlty
i'm favor of the Pacific Railroad, and he would say
that she had on the subject none of the sectional
feeling which she had been represented as hav-
ing.
Mr. Douglas of ILL., said he had witnessed with
deep regret the indications of defeating the Pa
cfc Railroad this session. All the Presidential
candidates were pledged to do it. 1t was almost
the only question in the last campaign on which
there was but one opinion. 1t strange that
a measure so long before the country should be
made subject of such disagreement. If the
bill was not the best that could be- let it be mod
fled, and let all unite in the great object of con-
Meeting the Mississippi Valley with the Pacific
lie hoped it would not be postponed.
Mr. Bell of Tenn. in favor of the road in
catholic spirit for the good of all the Union. He
thought, however, the proposed route was a de-
parture from medium line, and would suggest
St. Louis as the terminus.
Mr. King of n. Y wished his vote not to be
misunderstood. He was in favor of the road,
but objected to large gratituities to public lands
for 1t, which had better be devoted to home
steads
Mr. Mason of Virginia, urged against the Gov
ernment's inaugurating new system of bountles,
payment in advance with the view of inviting
labor and capital to undertake the work. The
expectation held out to contractors, he said,
illusory The road will cost from one hundred to
two hundred millions, of which the Government
give twenty-five millions in money and twenty five
millions Of acres of land. Will any substantial
contractor take such risk? He was forcibly i'm
pressed with the conviction that if the Govern
ment can be induced to touch this thing with
its little finger, it will have to pay for it in all
time. 1t was fortunate, however, that these lands
were worthless, else sytem of fraudulent credit
would be built them that would result in anoth-
national bankruptcy. He would oppose every
bill in every shape that proposes to bring an in
satable swarm of spectators to the doors of the
Treasury by donations money lands.
Mr. Benjamin's motion to postpone the further
consideration of the subject until December was
then carried By yeas 25 nays %, as follows:
YEAs.-Messrs. Bayard, Benjamin, Biggs,
Clark, Clay, Collamcr, Davis, Dixon, Evans, Fes-
sender, Hammond, Hale Houston, Hunter, Iver-
son, Jones, johnson of Tenn, johnson of Ark,
Mason, Pearce, Sebastian, Slidell, Thomson of n.
j., Wade, Wilson.
NAYs.-Allen, Bell, Bigler, Bright, Broderck,
Chandler, Doolittle, Douglas, Fitch, Foot, Green,
Gwin, Henderson, Kennedy, King, Polk, Pugh,
Seward, Simmons, Stuart Trumbull, Wright.