, 1861-03-14

/
The Pacific Railroad Bill, as amended, passed
the U. S. Senate on the 30th January. ltgoes
back to the House for concurrence in the amend.
ments Of the Senate. We have not learned that
it has been again taken up in the House; II was
probably acted upon, however, previous to the
4th inst, and twas thought that the President
would not veto it, il it passed.
The following extract from speech Of Gen.
Lane indicates the amendments alluded to as
having prevailed:-
There is another objection to this bill. Il pro-
videS for making two railrOads-a southern and
| 4 northern rairOad-to terminate at San Fran
cisco. Well, sir, will go for both these roads at
the proper time. would 20 for two or three
railroads to terminate at San Francisco. | ap.
preciate its importance as much as the Senator
from California does. know it is important to
us in Oregon. | know we are identified with
California. We look to California as the great
portion Of the Pacific. We GO there to purchase
everything and to sell everything; and am,
and intend To be, as true 10 California as he 8 |;
but submit to him, and submit to other mem.
| berS from the Pacific coast, whether they would
not like, when they see the northern road that is
to terminate ut San Francisco reach to the Sac.
ramento valley, that branch should be provided
| to follow the Sacramento riverP Il affords q
natural passage through the mountains to the
Shasta valley, in which stands reka, one Of the
flOurshing towns Of that State. Then il is Of
easy access to the Rogue River valley, and that
op, rs Communication with the Umqua valley,
| and that again opens communication with the
Willamette valley. There is no formidable OBJ
structiOn ut all to making the road. II is the
finest route in the world for railroad terminal.
ing at Portland. seaport town, where ships Of
almost any class can arrive; they enter the Co.
lumbia, and come to Portland. Then, branch
or road can be extended by the Columbia river
valley, by the Cowlitz, over a level country to
Puget Sound. Thus you would accommodate the
whole Pacific coast. Why should the State Of
Oregon and the Territory Of Washington be cut
of entirely, and be iorcei to travel seven hun.
drcd miles by land. or more than that by water,
to reach San Francisco, to avail themselves Of
the benefit Of this rOadr Should it not extend
through the Sacramento valley up tln river, by
the route have mentioned, tO POrtlandP
| ask the representatives from the Pacific coast
whether they will vote for such an amendment,
whether they will vote TO extend this road over
the best portion Of the Pacific cOaSt2 The val
leys mention arc larger in extent and more fer
tile and productive than any portion Of the Pa
cilic coast That road would afford them an op.
pOrtunity Of bringing everything they have TO
| San Francisco. Will Senators say that all these
roads shall concentrate or terminate at San Fran
cisco, and that the State Of Oregon and Territory
Of Washington shall have no part or lot in III,
mattrrl Is that just to that portion Of the cOuh-
try3 Is il right that two roads shall terminate
at San FTanciscn, and no man shall raise his
voice in GavOr or extending il on q route that Is
entirely easy, and which can be made at Us little
expense as i can up the Platte valley, from the
Sacramento valley, up the Sacramento river,
which makes natural pass to Shasta valley,
and then there Is no obstruction u Port and. II
is almost level country. There are but two
distractions by passes, through which the rOad
eau pass. EverybOby ihOt has been in the Will
lamctte valley will see that there is nothing hardly
to do there but to lay down the Iimbers, put on
the rails, and set the cars running.
When you get TO Portland, you have reached
the ocean six hundred miles north Of Sen Fran
cisco, and In direct line to China; tOS, o.
said the other day, vessels smiling from San Fran
cisco for China, all 20 up our coast By tie Co
lun bia river and further up the Puget Sound, or
rather little west Of it, and strike acT 'ss 10
China. Il Is the nearest route. ! say again,
when you have reached Portland, you can then
reach Puget Sound the finest inland sea in the
world. There is not such sheet Of water on
the face Of the earth. There Is on entrance
without obstruction, and . harbOr sufficient for
ell the shipping Of the world. Why shut out
that harbOr9 Why will not my friend be gen.
erous, and say, that when this Northern route
reaches the Sacramento, Il shall be provided
that one branch shall be extended on through
Oregon to Puget SOundi Shall we be cut Off
Is that portion Of the country IN which ] live,
and which extends from 42o 10 400, 10 be en-
tirely deprived OF the advantages and benefits
Of railroad which Il is attempted to hurry
through Congress without any opportunity 70