Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1858-01-07
From the New York Herald, 25th.

which have so much occupied the attention
of the Senate on the Kansas question this
session other business has not been entirely
neglected.
First in magnitude, if not in Importance,
comes Mr.. Gwin's bill to "authorize and
facilitate the construction of Northern, a
Southern, and Central Pa3fc Railroad
and Magnetic Telegraph through the ter
rtorics of the United States" The bill
provides for the setting apart for this pur-
pose OF quantity of public land equal 10
the alternate sections Tor the space Of twelve
miles on each side of the roads from their
eastern 10 their western ternini. The first
is TO commence in Texas, 10 extend by the
most eligible direct route to the navigable
waters Of the Pacific, and TO be called the
Southern Pacific Road. The second is 10
commence on the western borders of Mis-
fsouri, to terminate at San Francisco, and be
called the Central Pacific Road. The third
is to commence on the western borders Of
Wisconsin, and extend by the most eligible
route TO the navigable waters of the Pacific,
in Oregon and Washington Territories, and
10 be called the Northern Pacific Road.
Provision made for the grant of other
public lands where the alternate sections are
occupied, or are mineral lands, and in case
Of the passage Of the bill, for the advertise
ment by the government for proposals for
building the roads, for the completion of the
entire roads and telegraphs within ten years,
for proposals for carrying the mails by the
said roads, and the transportation of govern
ment troops. supplies, naval stores, Sc; for
the division Of the contracts for building the
roads into sections of 100 miles each, and
that no money shall be advanced until ser.
vice to the extent of the paymet:be perform
ed. The arrangements for carrying on the
work in the case the contractors fail, and
other necessary details, are amply provided
for in the bill, though they would hardly
be Of interest 10 the general reader.
Next in Importance, perhaps, may be
named Mr.. Pugh.s bill, TO provide for a
survey O! the Ohio river and its principal
t tributaries" As the bill is short, l give it.
There is appropriated out Of any mon.
eys in the Treasury not appropriated other.
wise, the sum of fifty thousand dollars, for
making Typographical and photographed
surveys 10 determine the practicability anc
cost of improving the navigation of the o.
hiO river and its principal tributaries, by {
system Of reservoirs, 20 serve as feeders il
the periods Of low water, and also 10 avoil
the destruction Of property by great floods
according to the plan formerly submitte,
10 Congress BY Charles E!et, Jr., Civil En-
gineer--the said sum 10 be expended undc
the direction Of the Secretary OF the Interior
and the surveys, with all the necessary OBJ
servations, measurements, reconnoisRnces
and estimates, TO be made by such civil o
Typographical engineers, and under sue
general suPerintendence, as the Presiden
may appoint and describe
The national character OF this propose,
mprovement--,he Ohio river and Its trlbu
taries, watering no less than eight States
and indirectly, by lis relation with the Mis-
souri, and Mississippi, interesting eight oll
er States, besides three Territories --mu.
secure for il the earnest attention of Cor
gress. The value of commerce passing al
, nually along lis channels is estimated at NJ
: less than three hundred millions of dollar,
while at least hall the population Of th
Union are interested il its welfare, and III
area Of country drained by it and its tribr
tnries above the city of Wheeling, is "a
237 square miles.
But, from various causes, the river is b,
, coming less and less reliable for navigation
;, For months cOnsecutlveIy no dependen,
= can be placed upon the river as cham
for shipping, particularly by those at a di
: lance, who labor under the fear that befo
they can get their goods to the river, Il
u water will recede. Thus millions Of dc
' lars worth Of property lie idle for long p
riods, until at last the subject has become
so much momentous interest as to imperiol
ly demand the attention of Congress. tt
{ government has been engaged, bstwe,
= 1887 and l84o, in various plans 10 impror
the river by means of loose stone wing dam
but without much success. A great de
} has been written and published on the be
= means OF improving the river, one par
=" contending for the Reservoir plan,"
proposed by Mr.. Ellet; another for Il
Low dam and chute" plan, without lock
as proposed BY Mr.. Haupt; and another f
: the system of locks and dams, with slui
ways or chutes for descending craft. 7
!. government has already expended vast
n, mount Of money in obtaining surveys a
attempts TO patch up the river, and il is