Morning journal and courier., 1890-05-20
nOUO " O'~6sH
 FROM ALL QUARTERS. FOR 4 GREAT RAILWAY. House and Senate Ad-
 dressed on the Subject. IA TERRIFIC CYCLONE IN OHIO. An Important Decision by
 the Supreme Court. MR. D1LPH ON THE SILVER BILL. Tariff Architects at Work
 in the House.
MR. DolPH ON THE SILVER BILL

INTER. R.ooNTINENTAL RAILWAY. A Plan Sent Co the House and Senate for n Preliminary Survey for a Line to Connect forth and South Amer ica-The United States Share of she Expenses Estimated at $65,OOO. WASHINGTON, May 19.-The president sent to the senate and house to day a copy of a letter of the secretary of state transmitting the proposition adopted by the pan-Amer- iean congress for an inter continental rail- way. The letter of the setretary ia as fol- lows:
 Department of State, Washington, D. O., May 12, 1890. To the President:
 have the honor to submit herewith a plan for preliminary survey for a rail- way line to connect the great commercial cities of the American hemishere. No more important recommendation has come from the international American conference, and earnestly commend it your attention, with full confidence that prompt action will be taken by congress to enable | this government to participate in the pro- motion of the enterprise. The resolutions of the conference are accompanied by special reports concerning the transportation facili- ties that already exist in the several Ameri- can republics. These reports comprise all | the information that could be gathered upon the important subject and will be found both interesting and authentic. Under the generous and progressive policy of President Diaz the railways of Mexico have been ex- tended southward as well ss northward, and toward the two oceans.
 The development 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. Chili has a profitable system of railroads from the mountains to | tunnel now being pierced through the Cordilleraa will bring Valparaiso within two days travel of Buencs Ayres. la the other republics similar enterprise has been shown. Each has it's local lines of railways; and to connect them all aud furnish the people of | the southern continent the means of oen- yenient and comfortable intercourse with l their neighbors north of the isthmus Is an l undertaking worthy the encouragement and l co-operation of this government.
 In no other way could the government and the people of the United States contribute SC much to the development and prosperity o1 l our eister republics and at the same time to the expansion of our own commerce.
 A very important feature ot tho report, tC which especially direct your attention, will
 be found in the international declaration
 that the line of the proposed railway shall be | forever neutral territory; that the material
 necessary for the construction and operation of the road shall be admitted free of oustems
 duties, and that it's property and revenue shall be always exempt from all forms o1
 taxation. This guarantee having all th,
 force of treaty will stimulate private ane public confidence, and then lead to the in
 vestment of capital that might otherwise b. l reluctant and distrustful.
 It is proposed that survey to ascertain l the best and most economical routes be mad | under the direction of an international com l mission and that the expenses be shared bl the several nations of the hemisphere in pro
 portion to their respective populations. Tn
 share of the United States is estimated to b $65, ,O00, and would respectfully suggest th propriety of securing from congress an ap
 propriotion for that purpose. Three com
 missioners will be required to repre-
 sent the United States upon the inter
 national board and authority should be aske'
 for the detail of officers of the army ant
 navy to serve as engineers in conducting tn
 survey. The headquarters of the commis l sion, by @ vote of the international confer
 ence, will be located in Washington, and
 is proposed to invite the commissioners t
 meet here on the first of October next or @
 soon thereafter as may be practicable for tn
 purpose of organization and initiating tn
 work of the survey. Respectfully submitted
 JAMES G. BLAINE,
 | Secretary of State.