The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-02-10

THe PACIFIC RAILRoAD.-On Monday last Senator
Gwx delivered an able and interesting speech in
regard to this road. As the subject is one to which
he has devoted much time and attention, his views
are Justly entitled to the earnest consideration Of our
people. He meets the objections which have been
made by those denying that Congress has the consti-
trfional power to enact q law authorizing the con-
struction Of the road, by stating his bill does not pro-
nose that Government shall build q road, but merely
contract for transportation by railroad of its mails,
troops, seamen, and munitions of war. He shows
that 50 long ago as 1902. Congress authorized the
Postmaster-General to contract with "any private
companies or adventurers,'' not only to carry the
mail in coaches, in a part Of the country where it had
had been carried on horseback, but to provide for
passengers; and to effect this a bonus Of one-tbird
more than vas paid for horseback transportation was
allowed. By his bill, he says, inducements are
offered for private capital 70 undertake the construc-
ton of the road
As the opponents Of this bill have attacked it on
account Of the immense expense it will entail upon
tie Government, Senator GwIx shows that their OPP
position is groundless- The policy Of granting lands
for railroad purposes is too well established to need
auy argument in its favor. That it Is n good policy
in some cases few win deny. and the fact that it has
been abused is no valid excuse for abandoning it.
The lands through which the Pacific road would pass
Are at presens comparatively worthless, and as it will
necessarily be long ere these could be brought into
market, certainly the pecuniary interests OF the Gov
eminent would be promoted by granting such por-
tious Of il rs would ensure the construction of the
road. But, says Senator GwIy, l most unequivocally
DENY that the Government will in any manner risk
the loss Of one dollar il it passes. His proposed
method Of constructing the road is rs follows To
those who contract TO make IL, alternate sections are
% be granted for 20 miles on each side of the road.
Tie Government is to advance S12,5UO per mile in
bonds to the contractors, as soon as q section OF
tventy-6ve miles is completed; that is to say, when
tventy-miles Of the road are made and put into sue
cesful operation, then the Government shall loan to
the contractors 1t five per cent interest, $500, 500 in
bonds, payable in nineteen years The Government
n --~- o. oHvonro noshfr0 NATL tho UorE
has been perf6rmed- 1t then pledges its credit, and
acquires . lien or mortgage upon the road, and should
the contractors fail. il would then take possession of
it This proposition certainly appears to be . good
one for both the Government and the contractors
A Pacific Railroad Is now considered absolutely nee
enary. Is l. evident that Government itself, grant
ing il had the power. should NOT construct 1t 1t
must be built BY individual enterprise, aided BY the
Government Oh the propositions which have been
thus Ear made, that Of Senator GwIx seems the most
fns;bJe For whatever sums OF money the Govern
neat may advance II receives ample security, and
the only gins Il = asked 20 make are the alternate
acsicus. The railroad constructed BY the land thus
i've would % materially increase the value Of that
ovpsd b. lie Government, that the gifts would cost
ft nothing. While the rsvenue, ays Senator GwN.
would b inersassd By this rod. from the increased
;nuorss. non tie diminishsd expenses Of the War
D.nurfnent ard fum The increased revenues and
di1inisbsd cxpsusss of the Post Office Department
Thef . Pacfhc road would encourage emigration to
Cslifbruia. O.eepo, and Washington Territory can
S-7v - cpnsised, and thas ~ altimsts results Of
@ek emigration would b vastly to increase the gene
- pue10jv e H. ooaDfry 10 one ulu deny; but
vksn, kowss4, ssnasor GuU d.r!e most atfr.e,
- -. - - hous Enrope eould oom-
- ~ = fr - DaEksb Il Chsss SD Japan,
= sensas that Ne eOu1d supply these mar
souer tn any European power many VII
disk us - + nd. TOO i@sg'nsns s ss ross
--~-d shst Il vunh - enabled to carry freight