San Andreas independent., 1858-03-06
Mr.. Gwin's Pacific Railroad Bill.

We are indebted TO the Sacramento Bee for
the following lucid synopsis of the Railroad
Bill, introduced in the U. S. Senate by Senator
Gwin:
Sec l. Empowers the President to enter
into the contract on behalf of the nation.
Sec. 2. Requires him to advertise in two
papers in each State or Territory through
which it may pass, not less than three nor
more than six months, for scaled proposals
First-S:ating the time in which it is pro-
posed to finish the entire road, not to exceed
ten years, and what extent shall be completed
and put in operation each year.
Second-The time in which the contractors
will surrender rolling stock, ETC., to the seve-
raj States that may be formed out of the Ter
ritories through which it may pass.
Third-At what rate per mile per annum
they will carry q daily mail both ways for the
period of twenty years, not exceeding $500
per mile, and at what rate they will carry gov
ernment passengers and freight.
Sec. g. The President shall open the bids
in the presence of his Cabinet and such per-
sons as may choose to attend, and enter into
the contract with the party whose proposal
shall be by him deemed most advantageous to
the nation; and the contractor shall deposit
$500, 900, or the value thereof in bonds or GER
of his duty, and may draw it out in sums of
$4,000 as the work progresses.
Sec. 4. The nation sets apart alternate Sec
tions of the public lands, for the space of twen-
ty miles on each side of the road, which are to
be patented to the contracting parties as the
work progresses.
Sec. and 6. Defines how the lands shall
be passed to the contractors.
Sec. Z. Provides that on the completion of
each 25 miles of the road United States Bonds
bearing per cent. per annum, to the amount
of 81 800 for each mile thereof shall be issued
to the contractors, and SO ON until the whole
has been put in operation, provided that the
entire amount of bonds thus issued shall not
exceed $25, 900, 900, which sum, together with
the interest thereon, is to be repaid to the
United States in carrying the mails, and trans
porting men and munitions of war.
Sec. s. Provides for forfeit of the contract
in case the parties shall not proceed in ac-
cordance with their agreement.
Sec. 8. Makes it obligatory on the contract
ors to sell one-half of the lands thus granted
in five years. and the remainder in ten, else
they will lose their right in them.
Sec. 10. Grants two hundred feet wide along
the line for railroad and telegraph purposes,
together with all the clay, stone, timber, etc.,
within said two hundred feet.
Sec. /. Authorizes the contractors to con-
struct one or more additional tracks within
the two hundred feet, and shall permit other
roads authorized by States or Territories to
join on
Sec. II. Whenever any part of the road
shall be surrendered to the United States, it
shall vest in and become the property of the
State through which it passes.
The termini-the Missouri river and San
Francisco-are mentioned, and the road is to
run between these points, on the most eligible
route, reference being had to feasibility, to
shortness and economy.
This bill was made the special order of the
day, in the Senate, for the first Monday in
February, which was the lst day of the month