The Placer herald., 1861-01-19
The Pacific Railroad.

tie reception OF the ac'hc h"'''o"" VII III
the Senate after its passage in the House,
During the consideration of Senate bill
No. $40, a message from the House of Rep
resenatives, by Mr.. Forney, its clerk, an.
nounced that the House had passed bill
(H. R. No. 7O1) to secure contracts. and
make provision for the safe, certain, and
more speedy transportation, by railroad, OF
mails, troops, munitions of war, military and
naval stores, between the Atlantic States
and those of the Pacific and for others pur-
poses. in which the concurrence of the SEN
ale WAS requested.
Mr.. Gwin-I hope the Senator from Ma
ryland will permit me to interrupt the pro-
ceeding on his bill for moment, to ask that
the bill which has just come from the House
may be taken up and made the special order
for next Monday week at one o'clock.
The presiding officer, Mr.. Fitzpatrick, in
the chair-It can only be done by unsn-
nous consent at the present stage of bust
ness. The Chair hears no objection.
Mr.. Gwin-I move now that the bill be
made the special order for next Monday
week.
Mr.. Davis-I would ask whether the bill
should not first be referred to a committee,
and reported back to the Senate9
Mr.. Gwin--There is no standing commit
tee to which it can be referred. There have
been several special committees on the sub
iect and hope the Senate will permit the
bill 70 be made the special order of the day
which have indicated.
The Presiding Officer-The bill has not
Leen read. 1t must first be read.
The bill was read the first time by its IT,
tie: "a bill (H. R. No. 70D to secure con
tracts, and make provisions for the safe, GER
tain, and more speedy transportation, by
railroad, of mails, troops, munitions Of war,
military and naval stores between the Allan
tic States and those Of the Pacific, and for
other purposes"
Mr.. Bragg think this is bill Of too
much Importance to be made special or
der Of this body, and at period of time so
near at hand, particularly at this season OF
the year, when many Senators are going
home, without. its being referred l rnder
stand that the Senator fiom Mississippi
made a motion to refer it.. | was on my
feet for the purpose of making the same
motion. | understand that the bill involves
very large amount of expenditure on .the
part of the overnment-somethng like
100000 900 to begin with | have not
had an opportunity to read the bill myself,
and really think it ought to be referred,
either to some standing committee Of the
body, or to a select committee. 1t is mat
ter of too much importance to be hurried
through this body in this way
Mr.. Gwin-I will state TO the Senator
from North Carolina that my object is not
TO hurry it through The Senate. Being a
House bill, it is printed, as matter of
course. named next Monday week in or
der that thele might be full and ample time
to examine it. 1t is well known to the Sen,
ate that there are bills for this purpose now
On the Calendar Of the Senate that have
been elaborately considered by select com
nitees of this body. Six select committees
nave been appointed by the Senate, who
nave reported bills, all Of which are on our
lies. This Till has been elaborate,! by a
special committee of the other House, and
passed that body Yesterday; and I am sure
10 committee this House could appoint
could prepare the bill more eaborately and
carefully than the bill Inow proposed to make
he special order has been prepared There
are many similar bills already on the file of
he Senate. There will be ample opportuni-
" offered for discussion; so far as | am con-
,erned, shall not interpose any objection
10 the full consideration of it.. | hope Sen
ators will not object to making it the special
order.
Mr.. Cameron-I wish the Senator from
California would name Tuesday week instead
Of Monday week.
Mr.. Foot and others-That is New Years
Day.
Mr.. Cameron-I had forgotten that. Say
Wednesday week, so that we may have a
full Senate.
Mr.. Gwin--I am willing to name We'd
nesday week. hope Senators will not OBJ
ject to that.
Mr.. Bragg-Which motion will have pre-
cedence-a motion to refer or motion to
make the bill special order
The Presiding Officer-A motion to refer.
Mr. Bragg-With view of testing the
sense Of the Senate. move that it be refer
red to special committee, to be appointed
by the Presiding Officer.
The Presiding OfIicer-The bill will now
have its second reading, unless objected to
with view to reference.
The bill was read the second time by its
title.
The Presiding Oficer-Will the Senator
from North Carolina indicate the number of
the committee he proposes to raise?
Mr. Bragg-Say five.
Mr. Gwin-I hope not. I hope the
friends of the Pacific Railroad will not refer
it, but will keep it before the Senate.
The motion to refer was not agreed TO.
Mr.. Gwin-Now, move that the bill be
made the special order for next Wednesday