The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-21

advance, and IL is also neces-
sary that they should be situated
within the limits of the built-up portion of the
city. The Almshouse grounds, which it pro-
poses to purchase, are of no particular use at
present, and they offer the only location suit-
able for the purposes Of the University.
1t is perfectly proper that Councils sbould give
this matter careful consideration and deliberate
discussion, and in the three weeks that will
elapse before 1t comes up again for considera-
ton there will be ample time for reflection, and
an investigation OF the subject in all its bearings
we believe that the city would be the gamer by
concluding the proposed bargain, and we hope
that the action of Select Council will be only
influenced by spirit of liberality. and a desire
for the real benefit of the public.
WHO PROTECTED THE PACIFTC RiJLBOJD,
SINCE the completion Of that great national
enterprise, the question which forms the
caption Of this article has been asked a bundred
times, and as many times answered by different au-
thOrties in different States. New York claims
George wilkes Missouri claims Benton. Georgia
claims ToOmbs; other States claim Others. and Gene
raj Sherman, in his despatch to General Dodge pub-
lished few days since, claims for himself and
Messrs. Seymour Co., Of san Francisco. the honor
of being among the first
Now since so many have claimed the honor of nro-
jecting this great undertaking it NAV not be ont OF
place for the people OF PENNSYLVANIA and in fact
the rest of the country, to know that to one of the
Old heystones most valued representatives Justly
belongs position of prominence and credit among
the men whose names viii pass into history part
OF the frame work OF this great national enterprise
George wilkes claims that he as early as 1914
wrote, suggested, and worked to forward the build
ing of railroad to connect the Pacific with the At
lantic And in this Mr. Wilkes is probably correct
hut we find no official record Of the matter until
1867, when Mr. Benton, in the consideration OF the
Morse telegraph enterprise touched upon the subject
and the question still continued dormant On June
23, 1s4s, however, the Hon. James Pollock OF Penn
syvania, the present Director of the Mint took hold
OF the matter with vigor which did him and his
constituents credit, and succeeded in having COM
mittee, composed of the folowing-named gentlemen,
appointed,to take hold OF the subject:-
Hon. James Pollock, Hon. r. Toombs Mr. McClel-
land, Ilr Hilliard, Mr. Dixon Mr.. Venable Mr.. Tay-
lor, and Mr.. Melay.
The committee investigated the matter fully, and,
guided by the enthusiasm of Mr.. Pollock, submitted
a unanimous report favorable to the undertaking
The chairman, in reporting the action of the COM
mittee to the House, prefaced his remarks with the
following language-
THE pTopossit@on s ton @ at first view is startling one The
more magnificent results promised by it's
that Of revolutionizng morally and commercially if not
ing the vast commerce Of the world tributary
ton find # subient az smpe as II ia voet ond o
cent and nsurmountable difficulties in the way of
its successful accomplishment"
The report of the committee accepted, but
owing to the many difficulties which presented them
selves the almost unknown condition Of the coun-
try being one) and Mr.. Pollock after returning
to private life, the matter again permitted to
sleep in Congress- Mr. Pollock, however, continued
his advocacy of the subject, in private circles, and
in lecture delivered before a literary society of
Lewisburg, is this State made use of
the following prophetic language: ''Whatevcr
questions may arise in your minds as to my sanity,
tell you that there are ladies here present who
will doubt live to see the day that they will drink
tea from China, which shall have been brought to
their doors from the far-OI Pacific coast by rail- -
The other day an invoice of tea received at st.
| Louis which had been shipped at San Francisco buS
| few days before. Thus the language of the young
| advocate was verified and his hopes fulfilled.
In writing this we have no desire to take from or
add to the record Of any man, but prompted by
| desire to give honor where honor is due, and to
show to the people of Pennsylvania that while the
people Of other States may be proud OF the part they
| have taken in the great national highway, we, as
Pennsyvanians, are in no way behind the rest, but
are fully up and, perhaps ahead of Others who make
| greater ado over the matter