Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-02-03

The bill which finally passed the Senate,
and which was substitute drawn up by
Mr.. BELL, makes it the duty Of the Secretary
of the Interior, by advertising in two papers
in each State, and in the District of Columbia,
for period of eight months, to invite sep
| arate proposals for the construction and
working of three railroads from the valley of
| the Mississippi TO the Pacific Ocean, within
the territory and jurisdiction of the United
States:
One commencing at some suitable point
on the western boundary of the State of
Minnesota. and running thence, on what may
appear The most eligible route, to Puget's
Sound. in Washington Territory:
One commencing at some suitable point
on the western boundary of the State of
Missouri or Iowa. thence, pursuing what may
appear TO be the most eligible route, within
the thirty-fourth and forty third parallels of
| north latitudr. to San Francisco or Benecia,
in the State of California:
One commencing at some suitable point on
the western boundary of the State of Arkansas
or Texas. thence pursuing what may appear
to be the most eligible route to San Fran
cisco.
The persons making proposals are required
TO state as distinctly as may be- the points Sc
| lected as the eastern and western-termini of
the road they propose to construct, and the
| line or route select, as the most eligible on
which to construct it. They are further
| required to specify the terms and conditions
on which they propose to construct the road,
| classified as follows
! Fra. The time within which this road is
| to be commenced and completed.
| Second. The amount, or extent and des-
cription. of tue aids, facilities and privileges.
which will he expected or required from the
| Government, whether consisting of lands or
money or both; and, if in part of money,
! whether in the shape of loan or otherwise;
| and if a loan. when and how to be refunded.
| Third The rate of charge. respectively.
| for conveying the mail weekly, sem-weekly,
| tri-weekly. and daily, when the road is COM
| plcted and the rate per mile for such PORTIONS
| or divisions of the road as may br complett d
| and in use before the completion OF the whole;
| and the rate OF charge on al the military
and naval supplies, troops. munitions OF war
1
same on said road throughout the entire line,
when completed, and on any less portion or
| section of the sameas the wants OF the Gov
ernm No may require.
| I0arih. The time or period beyond the
! completion of the road at which the party or
| parties to any such proposals will surrender
said road. with all it. equipments and appoint
| mente, to the United States should the Gov
ernment desire such surrender; whether after
twenty. forty, or sixty years OF exclusive pos
session and enjoyment; aud. if any greater
period than twenty years is proposed lat what
reduced amount of aid and facility will be
required from the Government in cOnsldera-
| ton of such extension TO forty or sixty years,
| respectively, the party or parties 10 such
| proposals will und trtake to construct the
| road; and what reduction Of charges Tor con-
veying the mails and transporting military
| and naval supplies, troops, and munitions Of
war of all kinds, will be made ID consldera-
ton Of such extension.
Fifth. The guarantees proposed for the
faithful execution of any contract which may
be entered into with the United States for the
construction of the road. and against cXccs-
sive fare for the transportation of passengers,
and eXOrbiant charges for carrying freight Of
any description"
All proposals are to be sealed and address.
ed to the S Secretary of Interior who, .previ-
ously to the commencement of the first regu-
lar session of the next Congress, is to open
them in the presence of the other heads of
rpartments, and transmit copies to the two
Houses of Congress, as soon as organized.
No money is appropriated by the bill, save
three thousand dollars to pay for the adver
Using rqlired.
All that the bill contemplates is, to obtain,
for the use of Congress, at its next regular
session, the fullest and most accurate infor-
nation practicable, as TO the probable cost If
a road on each of the three routes designated,
and the terms on which individuals or private
associations are willing to undertake its con-
sructiOn.
This is the most that the friends of the en-
terprise in the Senate could secure at the
present session. There appears to be very
decided majority in that body in favor of
government aid towards the construction of a
road hut, as to the amount and nature OF
this aid. and the route of the road, there were
so many conflicting opinions, that it was i'm
possible to unite that majority on any bill
providing for a more practical commencement
Of the work than that proposed in Mr. BELLS
plan.