Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-05-20
BY BONDS OF STEEL
1t Is Proposed to Unite Two
Great Continents.
PAN-AMERICAN RAILWAY IDEA

Presented to Congress by the President
and Secretary Blaine-The Supreme
Court Knocks the Props from Under
State Apti-Dressed Beef Laws-A Black
Eye for the saints-AlI Serene in the
House Again-National Capital Notes.
WASHINGTON CITY, May 20-The presi-
aent sent to tine senate and house yester-
day copy of letter of the secretary of
state transmitting the proposition adopt
cd by the Pan-American congress for an
international railway The letter of the
secretary submits the plan for prelimi-
nary survey of the railway, and says that
no more important Recommendation was
made by the Pan-American congress. He
commends the enterprise to congress with
full confidence that prompt action will be
taken in the promotion thereof. Full in
formation accompanies the letter.
What Has Been Accomplished.
Mr. Blaine says that under the generous
and progressive policy of President Diaz
the railways of Mexico have been extend
ed southwark as well as northward and
toward the two oceans. The developme mt
of the Argentine system has been equally
| rapid. Lines of track now reach from
Buenos Ayres to the northern cities of
that republic and nearly to the Bolivian
boundary. Chill has a profitable system
Of railroads from the mountains TO the
Pacific ocean, and the completion of the
tunnel that is now being pierced through
the Cordilleras will bring Valparaiso
| within two days of travel Buenos Ayres
II,the other republics similar enterprise
| has been shown.
| Advantages of the scheme.
Each has its local lines of railways, and
| to connect them all and furnish the peo-
| pie of the southern continent the means of
| convenient and comfortable intercourse
/ with their neighbors north of the isthmus
| IS an undertaking worthy the encourage
ment and cooperation of this government.
In no other way could the government and
| the people of the United States contrib
ute so much TO the development and
| prosperity of our sister republics and at
the same time TO the expansion of our own
commerce. 1t is proposed that a survey
to ascertain the best and most economical
routes be made under the direction of an
international commission, and that the
| expense be shared by the several nations of
| the hemisphere. in proportion to their re-
4
| United States is estimated to be S65, 600
| The Presidents Endorsement.
| In his letter of transmissal the president
says: Public attention has been chiefly at
tracted to the subject of improved water
communication between the ports of the
| United States and those of Central and
South America, The creation of new and
| improved steamship lines undoubtedly
| furnishes the readiest means of developing
| an increased trade with the Latin Ameri-
can nations. But it should not be for
| gotten that it is possible to trav-
ell by land from Washington TO the
southermost capital of South America and
the opening of railroad communication
with these friendly states will give to
| them and to us facilities for intercourse
and the exchange of trade that are of spe
/ cial value The work contemplated is vast
but entirely practicable. do not
hesitate to recommend that Congress
make the very moderate appropriation for
| surveys suggested by the conference"