The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-03-28
Tne Pacific Railroad Route.
OUR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.

WASHINGTON, March ~, 1860.
The Pacific Railroad Rorte-Onion Of Colonel Lander in
Fauor Of The Southern Roas, Better for Defensive
Road, Shorter, More Readily Buzz, Cheaper in Con-
trton and Better in 0peration-Meeting Of the Select
Conmtee Various Propositions and Resolutions SUD
nits.d and Discussed-Probabe Report in Fapor Of the
Central Route, by Large Aajority- Anticipated Nj
nority Report in Favor Of T,ro Roads, &C., de-
GA Friday last the ed Of March, the Hon R. Fenton
OF New York. member Of the Select Committee upon the
Pacific Railroad, addressed letter to Colonel T. W. Ian
der Superin nden Of the South Pass and Salt Lake Wagon
Road 10 California, requesting bis views writing as an
egneer with reference the relative value OF the various
propositions now pressed upon Congress, and
especially in regard to the Texan line, as
and Pacific oceans. on the following day Col. lander
replied TO this communication substantially follows -
The construction Of Pacific railroad is constitutional
only g military work q work OF defence Az de-
iensive work, cannot run upon the extreme Northern
route where nearly much under the coutroi of the
British government own being contiguous
10 HE boundary Of the British North American Posses
slons also continuation OF the Canadian system OF
railways which already extends over thousand mites
the interior Of North America For the purposes of
military defence have already tue navigation Of
the Missouri the east, and Learly 10 the base OF
the Rocky Mountains and the Columbia river on
the west. under our own control, upon tue
Northern route. The extreme Southern Texan route
Is seven hundred miles longer than the South Pass, or
Central route, besces being upon the Mexican border
Timber SCARCE, fuel is and labor be imported
On the other hand, a these requisites plenty and
cheap upon the Central route the latter takes up
Pkes Peak gold mines and the washoe silver Mines and
the valley Of the Great Salt Lake, which has already
vast population The construction Of a railway through
these regions would not Only the alleged murders
and by the hormons and their ncitatons OF
Indian hoetee, but would also afford these people
opportunity aboring upon II and assisting In its
sruction Thousauds of Mormons would gladly work
upon the railway for one dollar per day; and that
muniy would also funsh large local business 10 the
road MS II opened Moreover, the Northern
Central route, VIA Platte Valley, Pixies Peak and
Great salt Lake. starts from point in the East where
a the Eastern routes converge at accessible point
The southern or Texan route runs far to the south xard
provides Northern DETECTION or branch TO Oregon
Washington Territory To DC sure IL provided with
aid land grants from tho state OF Texas but Is
much longer the Central route that the portion stall
remaining constructed by OF government cid
r,or or tntcrmcdate settlements that this consideration
Can avail but ittle II two routes are necessary and
practicable them both be assisted by government and
let the assistance be granted upon an equality 40 that
private capital ay have an equal chance upon the two
routes The Northern Central route has been adopted
the Pacific Railroad OF California its partcu
choice Provisions and materials be
concentrated upon from the provision producing States
and by the great lines Of improvements from the East
converging rom TINS central point 1t runs over yeti
waiereo Hat gravel pain and provides branch for Ore
gon and Washington Altogether II appears TO be the
route which will Des, all the interests OF the
country, we TO have but one route. can be con
s,rucied with but slight government aid and white is
renewed from both the Northern and Southern Dor
ders to be from interference either by tae
British government Mexican guerlas, ii II the
time sfords accommodations for connection with all the
Canadian loes IN urne OF peace
AS was elegraphed TO the Herald last night, the
Select Committee upon the Pacific Railroad held special
meeting at ten O'Clock yesterday morning Mr Curtis the
chairman Of the committee, presented bill the main
features Of which were gwen 10 your yesterdays ssue
In order, probably, to get In bill providing for two
roads, The question taken, after considerable Discus
sion upon motion Of Afr. Hind 10 reconsider the
vote by which the ittee agreed report In favor OF
only one road The motion lost by six yeas 10 seven
nays the chairman, who = ia favor OF but road not
voting
Resolutions then offered and discussed relative
the Eastern termn tho road, but particular point
Was liked upon none OF resolutions being adopted
Mr. faylor, Of LoasAna, submitted resolution ths, the
contract be given u parties mtsiug ne best ies sub
iect 70 The decision OF the cics Of government, and
also having he cb7ics 1i the 70 tbs Contractors.
Er. ghelps. Of Missouri, was 10 favor of max 1g ibe