St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1859-02-24
Condition Of the Pacific Railroad
?, -.5i Bill.

The bill which has passed the Senate
inviting proposals for the construction Of q
Pacific Railroad, was introduced as ar
amendment to the original bill, by JoHs
BELL Of Tennessee. It provides that the
Secretary of the Interior shall invite pro
posals by advertisement inserted in two pa
pers in every State Of the Union
'.For the construction and working Of thre,
railroads from the valley q The MississiRgi + t
risdiction of the United States. one commencin,
at some suitable point onthe western boundary
of the State cf Minnesota, running thence, on
what may appear the most eligible route t.
Puget Sound, in Washington Territory; one
commencing at some suitable point on the
western boundary of the State of Missouri ol
Iowa, thence pursuing what may appear to be
the most eligible route, within the thirty fourth
and forty third parallels of north latitude to
San Francisco or Benica in the State of Califor-
MIA; one commencing at some suitable point on
the western boundary of the State of Arkansas
or Texas, thence pursuing what may appear
to De the most eligible route to San Francisco,
in the State Of California.
The parties making proposals must spc-
city the terms and conditions on which
they propose to construct the road classi-
fed as follows: e. A ".
FIRST The time within which this road is to
be commenced and completed. ~ s
Second. The amount, or extent and descrip-
ton, of the aids, facilities and privileges which
will be expected or required from the Govern
ment, whether consisting of lands or money, or
both; and, if in part Of money, whether in the
shape Of loan, when and how to be refunded.
Third. The rate Of charge, respectively, for
conveying the mail weekly, semi-Weekly, tri-
weekly ,and daily, when the road is completed,
and the rate per mile for such portions or di-
visions OF the road as may be completed and in
use before the compile ion of the whole; and
the rate of charge on oil military and naval.
supplies, troops, munitions Of war of all kinds
for the transportation Of the same on said road
throughout the entire line when complete and
on any less portion or section of the same, as
the wants4of the Government may require.
Fourth. The time or period hey ond the COM
pletion of the road at which the party or par
ties to any such proposals will surrender said
road with all its equipments and appointment
to the United States, should the Government
desire such surrender; whether after twenty,
forty, or sixty, years Of exclusive possession
and enjoyment; and if any greater period ti,an
twenty years is proposed, at what reduced
amount of aid and faeility viii be require from
the Government in consideration Of such ex-
tension to forty or sixty years, respectively,
the party or parties to such proposals will an
dertake to construct the road; and what setiuc 4
ton Of charges for conveying the mails and.
transporting military andnaval supplies, troops
and munitions of war Of all kinds, will be made
in consideration Of such extension.
Fifth The guarantees proposed for the
faithful execution Of any contract which may
be entered into with the United States for tic
construction Of the road, and against excessive
fare for the transports Of passengers, and
exorbitant charges for carrying freight Of any
description. ..s.==
The proposals are to BE- opened By the
Secretary Of the interior, in the presence
OF the Cabinet, and copies of the same
transmitted to the two Houses Of Congress
as soon as they are organized 3i;o,leer e
Democrat. ..sea 8 81.