, 1865-03-03

Trumbu1l on the Illinois Central
AAffrond and Its Services to the Cow
ErnmcNt,


probably be o difference between the two
Houses, and It is better for Us to understand
it before we vote upon 1t. If can obtain the
attention Of the Senate I Fnl explain it very
briefly.
By the land grant to tho State of Illinois
for the construction Of the Illinois Railroad,
It was provided, referring to the lands granted
BY that act:
"That the said lands hereby granted to the
said State shall be subject to the disposal Of
the Legislature thereof for the purposes afore-
said, and no other; and the said railroad and
branches shall be aud remain public high
why for the uee Of The Government Of the
United States, free from toll or other charge,
for the transportation Of auy property or
troops Of the United States"
This provision was afterwa'd inserted In all
the land grants made by the Congress Of the
United States to the various Safes for the
conati uciion Of railroads, and the sane pro-
vision is contained in the gennts for canals
and other purposes. When the war broke
out, controversy arose between the Govern
ment Of the United States and the land-srant
roads as they ate called, as to whether the
munitions Of war for the Government fee Of
expense. The companies contended that
while this grant made their roads public hish.
ways, which The Government had ti.ht to
use as public highways free Of tolls, yet they
had the right to ask Of the Government sulli-
clint at least TO pay the running expenses Of
the road, and they were not bound under The
terms and conditions Of this grant to tfans-
port men and munitions Of war without pay.
This controversy Continued for some time,
until finally m arrangement Was made he
tween the Government Of the United States
and the Illinois Central rnilload, which
Is the principal road interested. By which Lhe
thirds Of the allowance made to other rail-
roads. By an agreement made between the
various railroads In The country and the
United States, the railroads we're to receive
two cents per mile for each soldier carried,
and certain rate Of transportation. An al
lowance vas made to the land:grant roads,
as they were called, OF tWo-thirds the allow
ancc to other roads. .si1ty-six and two
Thirds per cent of that allowance was paid
to the various land grant ra1iroads for the
nsc Of tllcir cars, and for the use Of the men
employed upon them, and for the use Of ma
chineiy. The other third was reserved for
what are called the tolls or benefits reserved
been continued from 1861 to this time. The
whole oft exists IN letter, copy OF which
propose to read:
WAR DEPARTMENT, Aug. is, 1861.
SfR:-Cpon consultation with tho Quartermas-
ter t,ene:ul. 1t has been decided by this Dcpsrt-
gives clear right to the Government OF The United
States TO the uae Of your roadway, without COM
Pensatiou for the transportation Of its troops and
f,sd s pronss.s: d ~, p5o2sr eompsnsaaon for mo-
~ c1ts ana INC, AZ nsr tacties incident
inxn X 80 W. pSI mte VII be a.
o thrtS6rec ahd onrhtd p:r cent t ~ due io
Government Tor charter privileges.
Payment feE transportation q frelghts, stores,
mnnaions m o, & %ar snu otnef pa6'lc property will
ed Io other 5aroad cnnenirs .nhpeyy aH pc bx so%
to the abatement Of tniriythfec a..d one.trd n,.
cent, a. before specified.
1Af fAHAr fA1 Aonr, A%.-
tinct understanding that transportation shall be
infnznea ~ your company at such it1cs and in
ststes nsv Teoajrc % and XXI mTefcrenee 81 e utsa
riyen to (3oTernment trangnortation IN accnrdance