The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-01-29
GFROM OUR OWN CORRESpONDENT 7

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S, 1859. !.
The Diplomatic Appropriation Bill is not dead,
but seepeth. 1t will come up again on Tuesday,
probably upon the pending motion to reconsider
the vote by which it was rejected yesterday, and
will finally become law. If the "big scare"
which the rejection caused among not few of those
who voted against it should have the effect of
checking the disposition to partisan coquetry,
good will have been accomplished well worth the
time it COSTS l find, however, that there really is
in the opinion of many members, no ne
cessity for several of the foreign missions
for support of which the bill makes
appropriation. Even the London mission, at pres
ent, is practically of no value to the country, ex-
cept in the fact that represents the dignity of the
UNITED STATES abroad, and that the Minister and
attaches OF the Legation are convenient chaperones
for American strangers in search of "ons" and
other sights in the old world. Not that Mr..
MIR. DALLAS is not a most amiable and ex-
celient gentleman, and quite equal to the fulfil
ment OF any duty which the PRESIDENT could en-
trust him with, but it is a wellknown fact that
Mr.. BUCHANAN and the Minister to England have
been bitter enemies for many years. Mr.. DALLAS
was hostile to Mr.. BUcHANAN's election, and is
known to have stated in private circles in London
that the American people never would elevate him
to the Presidency-a fact which successful can
forgive.
The result is, that while Mr.. BUCHANAN will not
recall MS ancient rival, lest the act should be
charged to personal feeling against man whom he
cannot be expected to regard with brothers love,
he takes care to give him nothing of any import
ance to do. This state of affairs devoves no little
labor upon Mr.. BUCHANAN himself, because he is
compelled to do the work which ought to fall to the
Minister at London, by negotiating in person with
Lord NAPIER, and writing autograph letters to the
British Ministry. Mr.. DALLAS, of course under
stands all this, but don't choose to relieve the PREsI-
nharr opf hrr
and elegant position in which he finds himself es
pecially has comfort don't contribute in the least
to that of his more successful aspirant to Presi-
Dental honors There are members of Congress
who think it hardly worth while to provide salary
for Minister at London, if all his work is to be
done at Washington.
The Senate killed its Pacific Railroad bill yester-
day, and thus seems to have settled the question
that no bill of its character can be passed which
fails to designate the route which the proposed
road shall be constructed, which leaves the selec
ton OF such route in any way dependent upon the
discretion of the EXECUTIVE This indisposition to
leave the question of route to the EXECUTIVE has
been very much strengthened by the decision of the
President and POSTMASTER GENERAL in selecting the
route over which the great BUTTERFIELD overland
mail to California is That route it will be re-
membered, is twenty seven hundred miles long,
while the route of overland emigration is at no
point more than two thousand miles long. Thus it
will be seen, at once, that emigrants cannot avail
themselves of the facilities and protection of the
stations of the overland Mail Company, while the
real great object of the bill authorizing the estab
lishment of the overland mail was to facilitate and
encourage Overland emigration. Of course, emf
grants travelling with their own teams, will follow
route 200 miles long, instead of one that is only
1000 miles.
But Pacific Railroad is pressing national me-
cessity. Its construction should be commenced
without delay. Eminent capitalists-some, if
mistake not, from your own city--stand ready to
construct the road from the Missouri river to Great
Salt Lake, with aid from the Government to the
extent of only $1,000 per mile, relying upon the
business of the road itself to reward them for their
investment. This is no idle project. Let Congress
pass bill authorizing such contract and it can
be made at once with parties whose sureties shall
be abundantly acceptable Why not try it,
The distance to Salt Lake from st. Joseph,
Missouri, is twelve hundred miles, and from
thence to. California, the distance is less
than q thousand. Authorize the construc-
ton Of this first half of the road and the remain
der wiinevitably follow. The road to Salt Lake can
be completed within four or fve years. over route
that is naturally level and not u6dulating, and Que
] that il abpndsntly supplied with timber, coal,