Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-05-20
SECRETARY sLAINEs LETTER
On the Proposition for tho Inter
Continental Railway.

The President sent to the Senate and
House today a copy of the letter from the
Secretary Of State transmitting the propo-
sitlon adopted by the Pan-American Con.
gress for an inter-continental railway. The
letter is as follows:
To the President -
have the honor to submit herewith a
plan for the preliminary survey for rail-
way line to connect the great com nercial
cities of the American hemisphere. No
more important recommendation has come
from the international American confer
ence. and earnestly commend it to your
attention, with the full confidence that
prompt action will be taken by
Congress to enable this government to par
ticipate in the promotion of the ente rprise.
Resolutions of the conference accompanied
by special reports concerning the transpor-
tation, facilities that already exist in the
several American republics. These reports
comprise all the information tlat could be
gathered upon this important subject. and
will be found interesting and authentic
Under the generou' and progressive policy
of President DisZ the railways of Mexico
have been extended southwark, as well as
nortb~ ard, and towards the two oceans
The Development of the Argentine system
ha, been equally rapid. Lines of track
now reach from Buenos Ayres to the
northern cities of that Republic, nearly to
the Bolivian boundery. Chill has profit
able syseem OF ra alroads from the mount aims
to the Pacific ocean, AMI on completion of
the tunnel now being pierced through the
Corderillas will briug Valparaiso within
two days travel of Buenos Ayres. In
the other Republics similar enterprise has
been shown. Each has its local
lines of railways. To connect then. all and
furnish the people of the southern CONT
nent means of convenient and comfortable
intercourse with their neighbors north of
the isthmus, is an undertsking worthy of the
encouragement aud cooperation of th.
gov, IN pent. In no other way could the
government and the people of the United
States contribute so much to the develop
ment and prosperity of our system of re-
publics, and at the same time to the ex-
panson of our own commerce.
A very important feature of the report,
to which especially direct your attention,
will be found in the international declara-
ton that the line of proposed railway shall
be forever neutral territory; that the ma
terial necessary for the construction and
operation of the road shall be- admitted free
of customs dues; and that its property and
revenue shall be always exempt from all
forms OF taxatIGn. This guarantee, having
all tbs force of a treaty, will stimulate pri-
vate aad public confidence, and lea to the
investment of capital that might otherwise
be reluctant and distrustful.
Ii is proposed to survey u ascertain the
best snd most economical routes, to be
made ulder the direction of an in,erna-
tlOn ii commission, the expense to be shared
by The several nations of the hemisphere in
proportion to their respective populations
The share of the United States is estimated
sos 600. | would respectfully suggest the
propriety of securing from Congress an ap-
preparation for that purpose. Three com
missioners will be required to represent the
Us. upon the International board au,h ,hority
should he asked for detail of offi ers uf
the army or navy to serve as engineers in
coDd ictiDg the survey. The headq1ar-
tiers Of the commission. by vote of the in
ternational conference, will be located st
Washington, and it is proposed TO iavite
the commissioners to meet here the first of
October next. or as soon thereafter as may
be practicable for the purpose OF organic, i
ton and Initiating the work of survey.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES G. BLArSE,
Secretary of State,