Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-01-28
Aifbmono Enquirer.
ur PACIFIC

ROBERT I. MONTAGUE, O Y mlDoLEStA'
FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL,
JOB RANDOLPH TUCKER. OF FREDERICK.
-)
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.
We call particular attention to the luminous
dissertations Of Captain Maury, contained in
another column. A statement Of facts, which,
taken singly. are selfevident to every we'll in
formed and rejecting man, have been so skilful-
ly grouped, placing each in its natural relations
to all others, that Mr.. Maury has solved the
economical problem of communication with
the Pacific in a manner especially acceptable
to the friends of conservatism and economy
We do not refer to this distinguished gentle
mans ;pse dirit, that it is the province oil the
General Government to take hold OF, and CON-
plete an enterprise, four-scvcnths of which, as
he Acknowledges, has already been accomplish
ed without federal intervention. Each man to
his trade. Without forgetting the respect due
to q great and good man, who has impressed
his name on the worlds history, we would sug-
gest that he goes beyond his element, in attempt
ing to pronounce er cathedra. on a question of
governmental policy, involving issues o%fconsti-
tutional law. Mr.. Maury is neither n lawyer
nor a statesman. Ass natural philosopher, he
is entitled to profound respect And in so lar
as he confines himself to the several depart
ments of this science, in the essay before US,
he is not obliged, in a single instance, to de-
pend even on his own deservedly great reputa-
ton to convince the minds Of discerning men.
His argument By itselfand Of itself, is suti-
cient to enforce conviction.
The following points may be regarded as in
disputably evident from Mr.. Maury's exPosi-
ton:
/. That at least two lines of railroad are
necessary to secure convenient and advantage
Gus communication with the Pacific coast.
Q. That the two lines most necessary to this
object, will extend respectively-the one, from
the western boundary of Minnesota to the
waters of Puget Sound or the Columbia river
the other, from the western-most point Of Tex
Us to the boundary Of California.
8. That isothermal conditions are eminently
IaVOTdOlt " COuSlI StioH Oh tiiSoS WV NNeNS
4. The northern route will require more than
1000 miles Of railway.
5. The southern route will require less than
500 miles Of railway.
To every intelligent reader who will study
these facts, riM the map before him. we sub
NIT, they are sufficient to demonstrate the
worse than uselessness Of Congressional appro-
p~riations to a Pacific railroad.
Even if Congress should restrict itself to
granting alternate sections Of land, such a poll
cy would only delay the construction of these
railways. While private capitalists see an OPP
portuni,y for public subsidy, they will delay
enterprises until it is decided who shall enjoy
the boon-and the delay will be a tedious one.
With the friends of different routes, contcsting
points on the floor Of Congress, and each ami
mated by strong local interests, and urged by
stronger local prejudices, no timely decision
whatever will be arrived at.
And when the decision comes, it must he an
unwise one. The North wields a majority in
Congress. Under these circumstances, it Is
not improbable that the Northern route will re-
ceive the entire appropriation. Then the
gauntlet must be run among bidders for the
prize. Unprincipled land spectators will be
found in schools and shoals, to offer very plau-
siblc bids; will probably snatcht the bait andthen
the appropriation Of lands will go for nothing
at all, without constructing a league Of railway
The large amount required for the construction
Of the ~road-S5o,O 900. 900 at least-will make
it scarcely a whit less difficult to bring Bona
tik capitalists into the scheme than if no land
appropriation were made by Congress. In
deed, private capital could be more advanta-
eeously employed in the purchase Of lands for
the construction of railway on the Southern
route.
If Congress should compromise on a middle
route, We would have the same state of affairs,
except that it would probably cost nearly twice
as much to build this railway as it would to
construct one on the Northern route, and hence
difficulty and delay would be redoubled.
As to the supposition that a northern MAORI
ty can be induced to appropriate exclusively
to the Southern route, it is difficult for a sane
mar to indulge the delusion.
Almost equally improbable is it that Northern
Congressman will be induced to compromise, by
appropriating simultaneously to the Northern
and Southern route; thus allowing the Southern
route, in virtue of its many natural advantages,
to outstrip the Northern line indeed, to mono
police the whole amount of Immediately availa-
Bile private capital, as it inevitably would do.
But the idea of mere appropriations Of land,
is itself a practical absurdity. What man Of
common sense believes that if any outlet what
ever is given to this torrent Of Federal Spccu,
lstion in . Pacific Railroad-it will confine it.
self. or can afterwards in any manner be con
fined, to the original aperture which furnishes
its channelg There is not a miller in the
Union. who cannot exemplify this problem tc
entire satisfaction. Let him cut q trench Of 6
foot square through lis embankment at high
water, and then see how long it will take the
current to sweep away his whole dam. One
embarked in the enterprise, Legislator
riuJe irresstibly impsled to appropriate tn
money, as meu as the land, required for M
construction Of r~ailuays. The constitutional
barrier will be already infracted-and ever!
argument, technical and economical, justified D!
the land appropriation, will return with teniolt
force to accomplish a money appropriation.
Indeed, we will not have to wait for this pro
cess. Already the advocates Of the enterpris'
proclaim, that money, as we'll as land, is re
H. aaaa .larnand. nrn indaal e.