Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-05-28

braska bill, II was a. fair a. had reason to
expect, and 10, In my opinion, sufficient to show
not only his recent attack unwarranted, but
that 1t was made, he knowing Il to be co. The
truth, a. any person can readily learn from
the proceedings Of Congress, was simply this
Mr.. Richardson, Chairman Of the Committee
on Territories, proposed 10 close the debate
on the Kansas Nebraska bill on q certain day.
The Opposition insisted upon further time for
It's discussion, and complained Of being gagged
by the majority. The reply made was that
the debate must be closed in Committee before
the special order on the Pacific Railroad came
up. The proposition was then made by mem
bers Of the Opposition to postpone the special
order one week. The proposition was accept.
ed by Mr. Richardson, and acquicSced, be-
cause regarded II as both just and polite.
Having been induced to say this much,
will take this occasion further to correct come
popular impressions as to the history and fate
Of the Pacific Railroad bill in the 38d Con.
gress
The FIRST ground taken by any candidate,
for, or member Of, the United States Senate
or House Of Representatives for California,
was by myself, In August, 1852. ] opened
the canvass which followed my nomination by
aspecch at the Verandah, in this city, in which
discussed the feasibility Of the work, and
the manner in which government assistance
could be made effectual. continued to pre-
sent the same views throughout the canvass.
The following winter, during the short session
Of the 82d Congress, tie views, as substantial
ly presented by me- were embodied in o bill,
and introduced into the Senate by Hon. Vim.
N. Gwin.
As soon a. practicable after the opening oi
the thirty third Congress, introduced bill
into the House Of Representatives., which was
referred to q select committee of thirteen, OF
which the Hon. Israel Washburn, brother OF
Mr.. @. a. Washburn, was q member. The
bill was carefully matured and madc special
order, which secured for il the action Of the
House.
It was discussed in committee from time to
time during the first session, and toward the
close Of the session was postponed until the
second Tuesday Of the December following, to
await the printing Of certain railroad reports,
which had been ordered By the House.
Early in the second session, the railroad re-
ports were laid on the tables Of members, and
q resolution was adopted to close the debate
in committee on the 10th Of January. On the
Goth of January, tho bill was ordered to an
engrossment and third reading, by a vote Of
l04 ayes, 07 nays. On the 22d January, the
question carnc up Is to its final passage, and
It was passed. Yeas 100 nays 81.
On the Gath January, the motion to recon-
slider the vote by which the bill passed. was
called up. The House was not as full rs on
the passage of the bill, and the vote was rc-
considered by vote of 100 yeas to "a nays.
The bill was then by the same vote recOmnIit-
ted to the committee, Is the safest manner Of
sacrifice.
Several reasons might be assigned for the
defeat Of the bill, ell having more or less truth,
but there was one immediate, certain and
sufficient reason about which there can DO no
dispute.
1t will be seen by reference to the votes,
after the bill was reported back to the House
for action, that there were few persons pro-
Tossing to be friendly to the bill, and who,
whenever the measure came directly up, voted
for II, who were, at the same time, persistent.
" at work TO defeat II by indirect means
This small party were under the direction Of
VIM. Lewis Campbell, Ohio. It will be also
seen that on the question Of the final passage
Of the bill, Bennett, Of New York; Benson Of
Maine Goodrich, Of Massachusetts,; land is.
RAEL WASHBURN, Of Mime voted for the
bill. II will be further sccn, that the second
day afterwards, each Of those gentlemen voted
for the reconsideration aud reference, and
for what they knew was the final disposition
Of the measure.
by their change Of position they defeated
the bill.
Bennett, Benson, Goodrich and Wnshburn
were violent members either Of the free soil
or abolition party.
Many members Of Congress, undoubtedly,
opposed the measure from principle or con-
sideration Of public policy. These gentlemen
could not have been governed by such con.
siderations. Was it hostility to the Demo-
cratic partyf Then in their hostility to the
Democratic party is to be found tho cause in
question. Was It in order to revive the qucs.
tion for an opposition Congress, and to have
the advantage Of it as q question out Of which
to make political capital in the Presidential
canvass Of 1865, for whi,h they were then
preparingP
1t is not very material as to what think
or know upon this subject, but do know
that had the opposition not thought it ncccs-
sary to preserve the Railroad question for the
platform in 1855, the measure would have
passed the House Of Representatives by q de-,
cidcd majority.
have not, at any time, claimed any credit
for my course in Congress upon this or any
other measure; but have claimed and shall
continue TO claim, that have cndcavored To
discharge my duty, and, in that respect, l
have the right to demand just consideration.
J, A. MCD0uaALL.