The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1859-10-22
Memorial of the Pacific Railroad Conven-
ti0n

The Pacific Railroad Convention at San
Francisco has issued a memorial addressed to
the President, his Cabinet, and Congress,
setting forth the necessity of this great ma
tional highway, and presenting propositions
considered by the Convention essential to
secure the construction Of the road. They
are as follows:
First-That the Government aid the construc-
ton of the Continental Railroad across the Terri
tory of the United States, by the guaranty by the
Government of the payment OF interest not ex-
ceeding five per centum per annum during twenty
years, OH the bonds which may be issued by the
Company constructing the said road, representing
= sum not exceeding the actual cost of the road
Second-That the Government grant literally
from the public lands Of the Territory, over
which the said road shall pass, to such company
or companies as shall construct the same from the
western frontier of the Atlantic States to the cas-
tern frontier of the State of California.
| Ihird-That in such grant OF lands, the Gov
eminent offer bonus, conditional, to wit: If the
company construct the said road, and put the
same in complete operation within five years from
the date of the contract, grant to the company al
ternnte sections thirty mi les deep on each side of
the road-but if the company occupy longer Pc
riod time in its construction, grant them only ten
sections.
| These grants and these conditions. with the
right OF way. and such subsidies and transpOrta-
ton contracts as the Government can we'll give,
will insure the speedy undertaking and compile
ton of the work.
F0urth.-Thet the Government donate to the
State of California all the public lands within her
| limits excepting the mining lands also to repay
to said State the sum of two million seven hundred
and six thousand five hundred and twelve dollars
claimed to be legally due said State, having been
| all taJ or. ~ IF Co Eron pia
co between the dates of August 9th, A. d. 1S4S.
and September 9th, A. d. 1850; these lands and
this sum to be placed to the credit of the estate
Railroad Fund.-" and used as the Legislature of
the State may direct in aid of the const ructlon
of that portion Of the Pacific Railroad which shall
run from San Francisco, to connect with the
Grand Trunk Road authorized by Government to
be constructed to the eastern frontier of the
| State.
Fyfth-That the Government grant like and
similar aid to the State of Oregon and to Wash
| ingtOn Territory whereby they may be enabled
to construct line of railway to intersect Grand
Trunk Road of the Government, at such point
as shall be practicable at near the eastern from
tier of California
We will not say of this plan that it is our
ul:imatum as we are in favor of any plan
that will give us a road. We are aware
that the above will meet with many objec
tons; as there are many who prefer that the
Government if it should render money as
sstance, should give certain sum per mile,
without guaranteeing any interest whatever.
TO Others the enormous grant Of land pro-
posed is Objectionable; and in the multiple
city of opinions to be met with upon the
subject, it is altogether probable the propo-
sitions of the Convention cannot be fully
adopted. We are willing to take any bill
from Congress that will be a practical rail
road builder.
We do not altogether like The tone 81 the
memorial. 1t is threatning-and seems to
hint at terrible things the people of the Pa
cific G asst will do if the railroad is not soon
forthcoming. Earnest words are proper in
setting forth the necessity existing to con-
rect the extremes of the Union by this great
work, but words that convey hidden threat
of dissolution Of that Union if our de-
mands are not Immediately acceeded to, are
nonsensical BY dissolution, the road so
much desired, would be postponed indefinite
Iy-perhaps never be made. Where would
be the sense of such procedure?
| Let there be no more such foolish talk;
but let us work earnestly day by day until
the representatives Of the nation are con-
WINGED, and will pass bill that will put the
road through. If we fail this year, let us
renew our efforts at the doors of Congress
next season, and so continue our importu.
mites until we succeed; but no more hints,
threats, or talk Of dissolution. 1t is all bosh!
PARDoNED.-Gov. Weller has pardoned
VIM. J. Roberts, sent to State Prison as an
accessory to the murder Of A. A. Mason, at
Michigan Bluff several years since, upon the
ground that an accessory equally or more
guilty was acquitted; also for good behavior
while in Prison; and upon the petition of the
county officers, the prosecuting Witnesses
and some eight hundred Of the actual resi-
dents of the county. A condition of the
pardon is, that hereafter if Roberts violates
any criminal laws of the State, he shall be
| H.. l.. h. Doo:kou%;o.y