, 1858-04-09
Ths Pacific RaIIrOad-WashlngtOn Ter
rilOFy, &C.

City BY the last mail indicates very plainly,
that as soon as the Kansas question is dis
posed Of, (which, God grant, may be spec
Oily, other and equally important matters
will receive the attention Of Congress Pro-
ninent-we might say first amongst these is
the subject Of railroad to the Pacific
. bill for the establishment Of which, we
are assured, will undoubied pass in some
definite shape during the present session.
The friends Of the measure, il appears, are
preparing for vigorous campaign, with
every hope Of success.
Ia the Senate, says the Washington
correspondent Of the n. Y. EreniEg Posi-,
the measure starts under remarkably favor
able auspices. OF the nine members Of the
select committee to whom the subject was
referred, on motion Of Mr.. GwIN, oil but
MeSsrs. HUNTER and IvERsoN are in favor
Of the measure. Mr.. HUNTERS objections
are based upon constitutional grounds; but
he is not bigOted upon this or any other
question, and viii stoOp to no factiOus op-
position when he inds the majority against
him. Mr.. IvERsON, representing, as he
does, the great railroad State Of the South,
can hardly be very persistent 10 hostility to
the measure-and it would not be at oil
surprising II his objections are eventually
overcome. The greatest difficulty will be
to get the committee 10 agree among them
selves as to the plan Of a bill which shall
provide for the construction Of the work.
DR.. GwIS, the father Of the measure, is in
favor Of q grant Of lauds and loan Of money
both; but be is not welded to this, and will
yield to any modification Of his plan which
more nearly meets the views of tho largest
number.
A few weeks ago, il will be recOIlected,
We publisbed brief statement Of the
prominent features of the bill matured by
Dr.. GwrS, one Of the Senators in Congress
from California, ITO authorize the Presi-
dent Of the United States 10 contract for
carrying the U. S. mails, troops, sailors,
seamen, the supplies Of the Army and
Navy, and all other government iranspOr
taiion. by railroad, from the Missouri river
to San Francisco, in the State Of Califor-
MAJ This route proposes to locate the
railroad between the Big Sioux and the
mouth Of the Kansas river to San Francis
co. Alternate sections Of land on each
side Of the road are to be granted, aud
$I2,500 per mile advanced on the compile
tion Of every twenty-five miles Of the road,
until $25, 600, 900 are ereached-the amount
thus advanced to be returned in mail SER
vice. and in the transportation Of men and
munitions Of var. Five per cent. Of the
stock to be issued. The President is to re-
eeivs the bids, make the contract for twen-
ty years, and locate the road, having
view to economy, the best route, &c, &c.
Whilst we learn with pleasure the earn
estuess and energy with which Senator
GwN is devoiiHg himself to the favorite
national project Of California-that is,
central railroad from the Missouri river to
the Pacific, terminating at San Francisco,
yet it is with a peculiar qualification we
observe that the friends Of the Northern
route are fully alive to the Importance Of
connecting the waters Of the great chain
Of northern lakes with those Of Puget
Sound and the Straits Of San JOAN de Flu.
ca. We firmly believe that the friends Of
the Northern route are steadily gaining
ground--as evidence of this, almost every
mail from the Atlantic side brings Us renew
ed assurances.
That our readers may see that our Ter
riiory is becoming somewhat known and
appreciated abroad, and that the subject Of
4 Northern Pacific railroad is being dis
cussed with earnestness in the eastern
journals, we subioin the following extracts
from leading editorial which we find in
the Providence. R. L, Daily Post, of Feb.
10th. The article is headed "WAsHINeroN
TERnrORY;" and after alluding in compli
mentary terms to the circular letter Of Gov.
FATErTE McMUuIN-prefaced by Govern
or SrEvENs-addressed to emigrants desir-
Gus of locating in this Territory, the editor
Of the Post says
ave have no desire to urge our fellow citizens to
sever their connection with their New England hlmes
and encounter The pnvauons OF new country; but II
Me eseAts Of the past year have compelled them to
eonsder the advantages which other portions Of our
country preeut, the details contained IN tins letter.
respecting the climate. soil and productions Of tLis
Iertitory. win be found extremely valuable.
ia tasie days Of rapid improl emeut in the modes
Of u4seAhg, The di-tAnce separating from the Pa
enc cist Il gradually diminishing, II we measure
dstaaees By The tiioe occupied IN trayersing them
Puget ilad. whose spendd h-rbors ofier great in
dleements 10 a. eugFaut iron the Atlantic states
while IL c asts are reh ia l.mher aad coal, Is tut
twenty tight hundred mikes from New York Ere lou