The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-05-29
WASHINGTON, May Is, 1862.

WASHINGTON, may 10, A0o-'
Editors of the Union AS you have
doubtless been advised long ere this, the
Pacific Railroad bill passed the House on
Thursday last by vote of 40 to 70.
As it passed the House, the bill organi-
zes "the Union Pacific Railroad Compa-
nv" to erect a railroad from the western
border of Kansas to the eastern border of
California, and donates to the company five
alternate sections of land on each side of
the road where the same is not taken, and
$4,000 per mile in thirty year United
States six per cent bonds-with treble the
amount of bonds through the Rocky and
Nevada Mountains, and double the amount
between the Mountains. 1t authorizes the
Leavenwortb, Pawnee and Western r. r.
Co. under its charter, to build their road, as
branch of the Pacific Road, from Kansas
City to the Western boundary of Kansas,
and the construction of another branch
from the western boundary of Iowa, to con-
meet with the U. P. r. r. on the western
line of Kansas, and also the construction
of branch from Leayenworth, fifty miles
in length, and the construction of branch
from St. Joseph, one hundred miles in
length, to intcrsect with the Pawnee
road-all upon the same terms of the
u. p r. R.-that is, ten sections of land
and $4,000 for each mile of road. The
Western end of the road is left with Cal
ifornia company, with the same aid as
extended to Eastern end.
The House bill was reported by the
Senate Committe on Monday last, with a
number of amendments, the only one of
interest to your readers being one making
Fort Riley point in the road-an amend
ment not material, as by the terms of the
bill as it now stands, the road will be so
built:
The friends Of the enterprise in the Sen
ate feel confident that they can carry it in
that body by majority of from eight to
twelve on full vote. For the present, the
bill lies upon the table, but may be taken
up at any time. Its consideration will,
however, be deferred for some time on
account of the Tax and Confscation bills.
Of its passage when taken up, and its ap
proval by the President, there is, to say the
least, reasonable certainty.
The aggregate amount of the bonds to
be issued in aid of the construction of the
road is not to exceed SEC, 100000, the prin-
cipal and interest to be paid the Government
in freights and mail service on the road. The
Kansas company is required to complete
one hundred miles of the road within two
years from the passage of the bill, and fifty
yearly thereafter. The entire road is to be |!
completed by 1875.
To say nothing of the National view of
the matter. the passage of this bill will be
of incalculable benefit to the people of
Kansas. Its immediate effect will be the
expenditure Of some fifteen to twenty mil |
lions of dollars in the construction of the
road and its branches, within the limits OF
the State, and its resulting effects the con-
centration of hundreds of millions cf dollars
of wealth and millions of people within
her limits. From the main trunk road of
the Kansas Valley, collateral roads will
speedily diverge in every direction in the
State, and in ten years Kansas will be GOV.
cred with network Of roads which will
equal those in the older States. TO the
Western Territories, too, it opens up the
highway to future wealth, prosperity and
greatness, and binds with chain tha. can
never be broken the Pacific and the Atlantic
States.
The intelligence from The patriot forces
now in the field gives encouragement of the
speedy crushing out of the rebellion, and
of the restoration of the authority of the
Government throughout all the revolted
States. On land and water, where patriots
have met the foe, the old flag waves in tri-
umph. Victories follow each other in such |
rapid succession, that bare allusion to the
last one in a letter from this place, would
be regarded as stale by the time it could
reach you. Suffice it to say that all eyes
are now turned in the direction of Rich
mond and Corinth, and all cars listening
for the shouts of triumph which they feel
certain will be heard by all true men from
both points.
Jennison and Sturgis, two much talked
OF Kansas men, are both here at this time.
The former will, probably, in few days be
nominated as Brigadier, and given the
command of an expedition to the Indian
Territory and for the recovery of Fort
Smith. The latter will not be returned to
Kansas, but in all probability will, like
many others Ike him in the regular army,
be permitted to pass off into quiet, infam-
ous obscurity. Yours, &c.,
McB.
WORDS OF WIsDoM.-The following ex-