The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-01-01
Pacific Railroad.

u-sEE FIRST. THIRD FOURTH pAGEs.A
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Pacific Railroad.
We publish elsewhere the proceedings in
the L. S. Senate, on the Nth Of December,
On tho subject of the Pacific Railroad. From
the proceedings thus far, there is barely
possibility that something will be done by
the prescu, Congress in furthcr"nce of this
important project. We say there is bare
possibility Of something being done-we
Judge so, from the fact. that motion to lay
on the table, was voted down by yeas %,
nays 80. The motion to lay on the table
was made by Mr.. Mason, of Va, Democrat,
and was voted for by 20 Democrats, two
Republicans and two Americans. Against
laying on the table there were Is Republi.
cans, II Democrats, and two Americans. -
While largo majority of the Republicans
in the Senate voted against defeating this
measure, decided majority Of Democrats
voted in favor thereof. This fact is signif-
icant, as showing the status of the two par
tics, on this subject.
As will be seen by the proceedings, on
motion of Mr.. BRopERIck, of California, Mr..
WILSON (who had made an amendment that
>Is ,s.A should follow RI" 4'd parallel of
latitudc) asscntcd to make it from the 35,h
to the AID parallel. Remarking on the sig
ni6cance of the Sennto's proceedings, in this
matter, the St. Louis Republican of the 2ls.
says: "The votes taken in the Senate day
before yesterday, in relation to the Pacific
road, havc considerable interest. That body,
by the decided vote Of 80 to %, manifested
its determination to consider the subject,
Notwithstanding the objection Of want Of
time, owing to the shortness of tho session.
The consent of Mr.. Wilson to change
the route from the parallel of IL, which
was his frs. proposition, to line between
IS and ~, indicates disposition TO an
agreement upon central route.
"If the two houses will vote to adopt the
most eligible route, as near as may be, be.
tween IS and ~, inclusive, great advance
VII have been made. Should they do moth
ing more this session than to agree on that
proposition and order further explorations
md surveys to be made within those limits
to determine the question Of eligibility, We
shall, looking to tho immediate future,
regard tho construction Of tho road "6xed
fAct.H'
With the Republican, VIC think the con.
sen. Of Mr.. WILSON to change his PROPOSE.
ton, Us suggested by Mr.. BRopsRlck, "indi.
Gates a disposition to an agreement upon a
central route" This is as it should be, and
we are glad to see some evidence Of sanity
relative to this matter, on the part of our
national legislators. The extreme Northern
and Southern routes mus. be ignored, and
cease to be harpcd upon by extremists, Or
VIC will have to await the dawning Of the
Millennium, for Railroad connection with
the golden sands of the Pacific. This is no
vain assertion, but a stubborn fuct that can
not but be obvious to the most persistent and
tenacious of extremists. The former is not
only open to the objection, Of being subject
to distractions by snow in winter, but it 10
too far North, and would accomm odate but
small portion of the people, and then only
those living in that section. While the lat.
ter is too far South, and would consequently
accommodate only the people in that section,
it is open to the objections of being vastly ex-
pcnsive in its construction, and Of the great
CT portion Of its western terminus being up
on Mexican soil Both these roads cannot
and will not be built, therefore it is all i'm
portnnt that if the Government will mid but
ono road, that road should be central to
bushes, IN travs', and at the same time fea-
.ib!c and practicable. The Peoria (Ill.)
Transcript, takes the right view of this sub.
jsct. when it says "thc schema is so gigantic,
and involves such vast outlay Of capital
tia: only ono such road should be attempted,
and it is highly important that tho patron.
ase Of tho government should BE- extended
to tho route which is in every respect the
most desirable, accommodating the largest
portion Of inhabitants on both sides of tho
mountains, and afording at the same time
tho easiest and cheapest construction.
"The central route, proposed in bill in
sroduccd into Congress few days ago by
Col. Curtis, of Iowa, is by far tho most fea-
siblc route yet named for tho Pacific Rail.
road, and seems to meet with great favor in
Congress and out. The plan starts at the
outer rim Of our railroad connections, and
terminates on the navigable waters in the
centre of California population. 1t would
be equally convenient to slave and free
Stascs-convencn to the North and South
and convenient for connections with all
our Pacific territories. We feel confident
that this route will eventually be adopted
perhaps at tho present session of Congress"
This is . subject in which the people of
Western Iowa are deeply and Immediately
interested, and they will and should watch
with unfagging interest tho eanvassing of
this matter in the halls Of our National Leg.
stature this winter. We shall, therefore.
have OCCASION to refer to this subject, often,
we hope, and shall endeavor, to the cxteat
Of our ability, to keep our readers posted
upon tho prospects of this measure.
Ferry on Lsure Fork.
A correspondent of the Omaha Rebubi.
con, writing from Columbus, under date Of
Dec, 20. speaks thus Of the above institu.
ton: "Much has been said, of late, con-
corning the Ferry across tho Loupe Fork at
this place, and many havo expressed their
fears that there would not be good cross
ing here next season. That all doubts in
reference to this matter may be removed, !
wish to state briefly, that arrangements are
now being made to erect . good, substantial
ferry on which persons and property can DO
. .fsly and speedily crossed. The ferry will
be at or near wero the Military Road lead
ing from Omaha to It. Kearney crosses the
Loupe Fork, and will be ready for the car
lies, immigration next spring, so that there