The Placer herald., 1859-02-26
Democratic Committee for Placer County
Broderick on the Pacific Railroad.

Representatives at w ashlngton should use
every honorable exertion to secure the pas
sage of the Pacific Railroad bill and endeav-
or to bring to its support Senators from all
parts of the country But it will be seen
by the following extracts from speech made
on the bill by Mr.. Broderick that instead of
combating members Of all the States to the
measure, he appears to have aimed at throw
ing sectional fire brand into the discussion.
On the 18th of January, in his speech, he
said:
~ would ask my colleague if he knows a Sen
ator representing Southern State on this side OF
the Chamber. or on the other. who will vote for
his bill if the road is to be constructed along the
thiriy-second parallel of latitude, for that road.
after it reaches the Pacific, will have to traverse
six degrees of latitude through the State of Cal
iforna to reach San Francisco. Four-fifths of
the people of California reside north of San Fran
cisco; and if the road is not to terminate there,
of what use would it be to California? | should
rather vote for road to Mazatlan. or to the City
of Mexico; it would be of much service to
California as the proposed Southern road
Again this man, who has been represent
ed as an ardent friend of Railroad, gave an
example of his very warm support, in the
following. Strange language to use, truly,
in the advocacy of the bill:
Il would ask Senators, particularly those on
this side of the Chamber whether they intend to
vote for the construction of a railroad by the
Federal Government through the State of Cali
fornia, distance of more than six hundred miles
to San Francisco, and to appropriate Sl2 800 a
mile for that purpose. | do not believe that such
q proposition would receive a vote on this side,
even from the Senators representing Southern
States, who are in favor of Pacific Railroad.'
1t has been the delight of the friends and
admirers Of Mr.. Broderck to publish him as
completely welded to California interests,
and being the only of our two Senators who
was at heart favorable to and sincerely work
ing for the road. Dr. Gwin has been de-
nounced, with what viruence is we'll known,
as a secret enemy Of the measure which he
openly advocated with so much carnestness.
He has been charged with being wholly in
the interest of the Pacific Mail Company, and
only appearing prominent as a railroad fd'
vocate to be the better enabled to assist the
ocean monopoly. Men have reiterated these
falsehoods until they come to believe them
true But see the facts as they appear upon
the record. From Broderick's own speech
we have the evidence that he exhibited a
strong sectional feeling in regard to the road,
and made use of language calculated to drive
away the South from its support His pecu
liar friendship and style of advocacy was
calculated to lose instead Of securing votes,
and at critical moment he jeopardzed the
chances of the bill for success.
Further on in his speech Mr.. Broderck al
luled to Mr.. OWNS speech and subsequent
action as if to chide that gentleman for mac
tivity.
'1regret very much that have felt constraind
to say anything in regard to the bill. | expected
my colleague to have defended it, because he
made, or, at least he read to the Senate, some
days since, very long. printed speech, occupy
ing nearly two hours; but since that time he has
not been watchful as he was before the reading
of his speech. suppose he took it for granted
that his speech convinced every Senator upon this
floor of the necessity of building ,oad to the
Pacific l hope it has. 1t convinced me of the
necessity of going for road"
While seeking occasion to find fault, he
nevertheless admitted that Mr.. Gwin's speech
convinced him Of the necessity of going for
road. This will strike Californans as
remarkable admission from man so LONG
bedaubed with praised as friend of the
Railroad, who it appears was convinced o
the necessity Of the work upon hearing Mr.
Gwin's remarks.
Mr.. Broderick is no friend of Senator
Gwin-he is his bitter and unrelentng enc
my. lie gives no man unnecessary credi
for anything but out of Brodericks owl
mouth are those condemned. Who say tina
Mr.. Gwin is opposed to the Railroad measure
To Mr.. Broderick's implied censure in th
above extract Mr.. Gwin called for an ex
panaton. The following places Brodericl
upon the record as testifying to the earnes
support Mr.. Gwin gave the bill. Hereafte
the boiling defamers of Mr.. Gwin must &C
knowledge him as true friend Of this grea
national work. so closely interviewer will
the hopes Of California and her future vel
fare, or else place their chosen chief Broder
ick upon the record as a deliberate liar:
Mr.. Gwin-Mr. President, should like to as
my colleague if he intended to charge me wit
any want or delinquency, in the discharge of m.
duty?
Mr.. Broderick- None, sir | consider that m,
colleague has exerted his whole strength on thi
bill.
Mr.. Gwin-I have not spoken upon the bill
since opened the discussion because l believ
that too much speaking destroys bills. | hav
not answered objections that have been brough