The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-02-15
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.

THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.
SUCCESS OF THE NORTHERN ROUTE.
THREE THROUGH ROADS, AND A BRANCH ON
THE PACIFIC, FROM CALIFORNIA TO PORT
r LAND, OREGON. s 81
In the United States Senate, on the 30th
ult., Senator WILKINSON proposed to cut
down the appropriation for Central Pa
cifc Railroad, from $6O,OOO,O0O to $780,.
100000, and the appropriation for South
ern road, from $50 600, 900 to $25,0OO,OCO.
His object was to so alter the bill, that
$5O,0OO,OOO should be granted to the Cen.
trail route, and $25,0O0,000 each to the
Northern and Southern roads, there being
at the time, no provision in the bill for a
Northern route. This proposition was
voted down-ayes 10, nays 20. Mr.. Will
KINsoN then offered the following amend.
ment to the bill: Haua 70
Sec. =. And be it further enacted, That to
ensure the safe, certain, and speedy transport
tation OF mails, troops, and public stores any
legal and duly organized company incOrpora-
ted by any OF the States or Territories through
which the same shall pass, shall have power to
lay out, locate, construct, furnish, maintain,
and enjoy, a continuous railroad from a point
at Superior, in the State of Wisconsin, to the
western border of Minnesota, at or near Breck-
inridge, on the Red River of the North; thence
westerly, crossing the Rocky Mountains north
of the torty-fth parallel OF north latitude, on
the most ELIGIBLE rOute 20 some nOlnt PuUQt
Sound, with a branch dive.g ng sOutherly
within three hundred miles of Puget Sound,
and via the valleys of the Columbia and Will
Jeanette rivers, to Portland, Oregon, and to be
called the Northern Pacific railroad and said
company undertaking to build said road, shall
consolidate, confederate, and associate with
any other legal and duly organized companies,
incorporated by any of the State or Territories
for the purpose, which may wish to aid in the
construction of the road upon joint and equita-
BILE terms; and there is granted to said COM
pany undertaking to build said road, six alter.
nate sections OF land per mile on each side of
such railroad line as said company may adopt,
from Lake Superior to the western border of
Minnesota, and from thence, to the amount of
ten alternate sections per mile, on each side of
such railway line as said company may adopt,
to the western termination OF said road. And
said company shall also construct telegraph
line along said line of railway, in the most APP
proved and workmanike manner. =
SEC.-. And be it further enacted, That when.
ever said company undertaking to construct
said railway from Lake Superior to Puget
Sound and Portland, Oregon, shall have fifty
miles of said railroad and telegraph line ready
for the service contemplated, commencing on
Lake Superior, Charles d. Gilfllen of Minneso-
ia, Nathaniel p. Banks of Massachusetts,, (but
soon to be citizen Of IlnOs,) and Isaac l.
Stevens of Washington Territory, are hereby
constituted board of commissioners to exam
tn
ident of the United States and if it shall
appear by said report that fifty miles of said
railroad and telegraph line have been compile
ted IN good, substantial, and wOrkmanlike
manner, and in all respects as required by this
act, and supplied with all necessary rolling.
stock, buildings. and depots for the use of said
road. as trst-class railway, and that the same
are in good working order, then it shall be the
duty OF the Secretary of the Treasury, under
the direction of the President, to issue to said
company the bonds of the United States tor
the sum OF $40 0O0 per mile on said fifty miles
for the use of said company, as an advanced
payment upon the contract, authorized by this
act. And tor each and every fifty miles of said
railroad and telegraph line ready for SERVICE
in running order, the 81 cretary of the Treasury
shall issue to said G. mp my the like sum of
$40 0J0 per mile in boz ds Of the United States,
until said road shall n ac the western border
OF Minnesota; and after that the sum of $l5,-
900 per mile Tor every fifty miles completed on
any part Of said road to Puget Sound. until
bonds shall have been sued to the amount of
$50 ,0J0, 900, when no more bonds shall be is.
sued by the United States; but said company
shall have the right to contract with the Brit
ish Government for loan of money or bonds,
giving mortgage lien to said British Govern
ment for security, subject to the mortgage lien
OF the United States, but, with the exception
to the United States and the British Govern.
ment, no mortgage or construction bonds shall
ever in any way be put upon said road. Any
vacancies in said board of commissioners,
caused by death, resignation, or otherwise,
shall be filled by the President of the United
States.
SEC. -. And be 1t further enacted, That said
company shall commence the work on said
road within three years from the approval of
this act by the President of the United States,
and complete one hundred miles per year after
the fourth year; and every provision, condi-
ton. limitation, or restriction in this act con.
tanned, shall be, and the same are hereby ap-
piled to and imposed on the company under.
taxing to build the Northern Pacific railroad
from Lake Superior to Puget Sound.
SEC. -. And be IL further enacted, That when
ever any railroad company embraced in this
act shall, under the provisions thereof, be en-.
titled to demand any installment of the bonds
hereInbefOre mentioned, to be issued and de.
livered in aid of the construction of any or
either of the lines of railway contemplated by
this act, such railroad company, its associates,
successors, OF assigns snail, at the same time,
as a security for the amount of such bonds and
interest to accrue thereon, execute to the United
States mortgage on such portion of railway
as shall from time to time be completed: on
the completion of which all installments of
bonds shall be due ard deman6able, covering
the appurtenances, fixtures, rolling stock, mo-
tive power, and machinery, and telegraph line;
which mortgage shall remain and continue q
lien and charge thereon till the whole amount
of bonds that shall be issued in aid of the con-
struction of the entire line of such railroad
shall be repaid, pursuant to the provisions of
this act; and in case of the failure of any such
railroad company, its associates, successors, or
assigns, to complete the entire line of railroad
and telegraph, the said mortgage shall contain
q clause of forfeiture, right of foreclosure, or
appropriation by the United States of the said
property; which clause or condition. as to form
and sufficiency, shall be approved by the At
tornev General of the United States.
Sec. -. And be 1t further enacted, That no
donation of lands, nor appropriation or loan of
bonds for the objects and purposes specified
in this act, shall be granted to any railroad
corporation, its associates, successors. or
assigns for or on account of any railroad or
foIo ami hat hach oo boro