The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-19
Our Washington Correspondence.

The screw steamship Thomas Swami, OF Cromwel's
line, arrived here from New York this morning.
Our Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1868.
The Ner Investigating Coamieess-CongreSsiomal Dignity
and Nepspaptr ChaTpes-7Ae Pacific Rdilroad--G.iano
and Printing Press Schemes, dc.
The Committee of Investigation which has been raised
to investigate into the alleged expenditure of $S7 coo by
Lawrence, Stone & Co. in order to secure the free wool
clause in the tariff, have a very simple duty to perform;
and if the investigation is not satisfactory the committee
alone Will be to blame. Mr. sam. Lawrence's whereabout
is somewhat uncertain, but ii is believed that he is now in
Switzerland. NJ. Stone, his partner, however, is i'll Bos-
ton, and as LIE was here all last winter he can, doubtless,
give the necessary information. Let him be sent for, and
the committee who investigated his books. This will be
a very good beginning.
Mr.. stantos's resolution, as first offered, amounted
to nothing. Ii was to the effect that a committee should be
raised TO see if there was anything to investigate, and
then another committee was afterwards 10 be appointed,
if necessary, to prosecute the inquiry. Ar. Letcher
amended this go a. to empower the first committee to
SEND for persons and papers, and get at all the facts, and
report 10 the House.
Some gentlemen in Congress affect to consider it lowers
their dignity 10 inquire into any abuses because ''the
newspapers call their attention to them. 1t would per-
haps be az well for these gentlemen 10 consider that not
only is the country Indebted to the newspapers for an ex-
posure Of ali the rascsltes which have been perpetrated
inside and outside Of Congress, but that II the newspapers
did their duty a portion Of 1t would be TO chow up how
very little talent or education il requires 10 mako
up an average Congressman. Congress cannot az
ford, after the Developments OF last year, to pass,
without an Investigation. any well authenticated rumor
even OF fraud in the legislation Of tue last Congress. And
in this connection, whilst an investigation is going on as 10
the So coo, the Fort Smelling affair, and the printing, it
night probably be extended into an inquiry as to tue
machinery brought to bear upon the various land schemes,
no, forgetting the Pacific Railroad scheme, the most out
raeeous Of all, and which Is bcins pressed again this sea
son by the same managers who were identified with ii last
Congress.
end TO. The HERALD has done much 10 put a stop to 1t by
its timely exposure and warnings, but the subject is one
which requires constant vigilance.
Meantime, General Prosper Nj. Wetmore can
tell how many shares OF his gaano
stock he distributed around To newspaper correspondents
anc others. The information would be interesting as show.
ing the way in which sisinterested pulls arc made up he re
of .chomes which otherwise would remain ''unhonored
and unsung., Mr.. Adams, the worthy paientee OF the
printing press which bears his name, might perhaps also
inform the public that, Notwithstanding the fact that all the
book printers who used his presses %petitioned Congress
at ieast one correspondent here either 10 secure his aid or
prevent his opposition.
wassiScIoS, Jan. l., 1855.
The Pacific Railroad Sohenbs-oaSlalgd on the Northern
Route. de-, d..
The difficulty in deciding upon a plan for a Pacific rail
road arises principally from the fact that there arc 40
many private interests al work that no project has been
considered fcasible-so far as the concurrence OF Congress
is con~ccrned-whch did not provide for the construc-
ton Of three reads. In other words, the construction Of a
single road is deemed OF 80 gigantic n character, tina, the
direct aid Of government is Necessary; but II the govern
meni will only foot the bills, then three roads can easily
be built. Il, seems hard that so very simple and unique a
plan should NEE, with any opposton-but this Is an un-
reasonable world.
Mr.. Buchanan is pledged to n certain extent 10
favor the building OF n railroad 10 the Pacific
and there Is no doubt that this Pledge, frankly
msdo, will be honestly carried out. But II by no means
IfA.u thu hAaaeua Of Shla t,atttnp a. n w...tfp. nil
favor the success or o grand land stealing scheme, by
which the great object Of connecting the Atlantic and Paci-
the parties Interested, Of having Lines started from points
where they either possess property already which will be
greatly enhanced in value thereby, or where good go
veTnment lands are lying falow fer which the mouths OF
these patriotic spectators are watering.
II Is not 10 be believed the President will sanction any
| scheme which looks 10 the construction OF more than one
line. And II would be as well for the gentlemen In Con.
gress to understand this at the outset Last Congress
there were three sets Of speculators-those who favored
| a Northern route. by the way Of lake Superior those who
desired a middle route, starting from ~. Louis; ad those
who wanted a Southern route through Texas. The North
ern route scheme was the best organized. IL was cheered
by the support II Thurlow Weed and Mr.. q. r. Madison;
and II had also warm friends In those gentlemen who bad
invested in what II known on the Spectators maps a.
Superior Cityr-s charming metropolis in prospective, at
the extreme northwest point Ct lake Superior, where iots
corner or : lot in proaswaY fbsa s"ner;dr SS,v~Ssyrns ,Ss
ice, snow and bad weather, which prevails about half the
year there's wonderfully endowed by nature, and n the
Pacific Railroad OF the North is ever but II will start
ficn II. All the lots are owned by a few enterprising
gentlemen, and ~ there would therefore be no oompcu.
ton, Il is easy 70 Understand what a good thing could DO
made out Of IL.
| don't dcsre to be understood as initmaitng that thcre
Is anything VII ng in the purchase by the gentlemen in
question OF this cy ~ nubibBs. The fact Is only men
toned as accounting for the personal interest which " felt
N the location of the Pacific Railroad. Several OF the
leading politicians OF the country-including prominent
Southern m,r-are interested In The property IN and
about Superior City. some two or three years ago an az.
sociaton was gotten up here for the purchase OF a largo
quantity Of land in that ,vicinty from the holders OF u.
Tho number Of mcmbcrs In this association was limited,
and the shares were 81 800 each. Mr.. John W. Forncy
was one OF the principal parties 10 getting II up
shares were purchased by several Southern men
Some OF these gentlemen have been fortunate
enough TO cell out when prices were high, whilst others
held On for n still greater lncrc~ae, and are now sorry
that they did no, take tho wave before Il rcosded.
Mr.. Bennett, NJ. {. from New York, and who was chair.
man OF the Committee on Public Lands OF The LAT Con
gress, "put through all the land stealing bills which
made the ~procecdirg q of that body 80 notorious, and was tie
prminent mover n the Pacific Railroad schome waich
fell through then because Of TIC opposition Of those MON.
ters who considered tho lands which had been given
away as quite q sunlci,1t quantity for one Congress-
especially AZ the most open charges Of ~corruptioe were
made In connection with that Legislation. Mr. Bennett
has end,avorcd TO revive his plan this session, but II has
been quietly laid on the table fof the present. Meantime,
Mr.. Phelps. Of Missouri, Is preparing a plan to be laid be
fore tho House. which looks TO tie construction Of q single
lire Of ROAD only, the location to be determined wholly by
tho physical advantages which a proper survey of the
country may denonstrste-bc II north, middle or south.
When bs plan In submitted It's details car be examined.
But one hing IA certain, any plan which proposes the con-
structicn OF moro than one road must be classed as n mere
speclls1vc land stealing arrangement, the passage Of
Wrncn would inevitably delay II not entirely dciea, tho
'ond Gde construction Of any rosi.
WASHINGTON, Jan. II, 1865.
Small Steamers Of W~dr-Oyeasons 10 them BY ire Nd,aI
Cvfn~tee-Nomes Of our Vessels Of War.
! IL II undcrstood the Naval Committees Of both Houses
Of Congress are opposed W the suggestions of the score
nry Of the Navy IN favor Of building a class OF smas