The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1890-05-22
INTER.COLONIAL RAILWAY
Blaine's Letter Transmitting
the Pan-American Propo-
- sitiOn.
He Recommends That Congress Make
the Appropriation and Appoint
Necessary Commissioners.
The National Treasurer Of the A. O. H
Disappears With Funds of the
0rder---Genera News.

WASHINGTON, MAY "a.
The president has aent to the senate and
house q copy Of q letter of the secretary Of
state, transmitting the proposition adopted
by the Pan. American congress for an IN
ter-colonial railway. The letter Of the
secretary In ~ follows:
DEPARTMENT or srArR. wasHTxaTox. ID. C..
May H. 1880 no the President: have the
honor 60 submit herewith plaH for q prelim-
mary survey for q railway line to connect the
great commercial eIties OF the American hem.
iaphere. No more important recommendation
has come from the International American
conference. and I earnestly commend it 90
yonr attention with faii confidence that prompt
action win be taken by congress TO enable this
government TO participate I'm the promotion OF
thu enterprise.
The resolutions OF the conference are accom-
panied By special reports concerning the trans
poxtstion facilities that already exist IA the
ssveri American republics. Thsss reports com
prise all the Information that could be gathered
upon this important subject. and win be found
both interesting and authentic. Under the
generous and progressive policy OF President
Diaz the railways OF Mexico nave been extended
southwark "a well as northward. and toward
the two oceans. The development of the Ar
gentlns system has been equally rapid. Lines
nov reach from Busnos Ayrss TO the northern
citias OF THAI republic, and neariy 20 the 8oiiv-
ian boundary. Chill has profitable system OF
railroads from the mountains 60 the Pacific
ocean, and the completion OF the tunnel that 10
now being pierced through the Cosdilloas wiii
bring Valparaiso within two days travel OF Bne-
NOS Ayres an the other republics aimflar enter
prise has been shown. Each has les local
lines OF railways and to connect them aii and
furnish the people of the southern continent
the means Of convenient and comfortable inter
course with their noighborA north Of the 18th
mus IL undertaking worthy the encourage
msnt and cooperation OF this government. In
no other way could the governments and the
paopIs ~ tiss Enteod stxrgs UuHrTTbHEs 90 much
to the development and prosperity Of our sister
republics. and 1t the same time 20 the expan-
aion Of our oven commerce. A very important
feature Of the report % which especially dI-
rect your attention, win be found IN the inter
national declaration that tine line Of the pro-
that tns material necessary for the eonstrue-
tion and operation Of the r0ad shall be admit
ted free of custom dn@k; and that ita prop
srty and revenue shall be always exempt
from all forms Of taxation. This guarantee
having all the force of q treaty, viii
stimulate private and public confidence, and
then lead 20 the investment of capital that
might otherwise be reluctant and distrustfuI
IL In propoasd that survey TO ascertain ths
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 hemiaphers in proportion te
their respective populations. The share OF the
would respectfully suggest the propristy OF
securing from congress- an appropriation foF
that purpose. Three commissioners viii DO
required 10 represent tho united States upon
the international board and authority should
be asked for the detail Of ofacers Of the army
and navy TO serve % engineers ln conducting
the survey The headquarters OF the commits
aion, by vote OF the international conference.
VIII be located in Washington. Mna IL b. pro-
prosed 90 invite the commissioners 90 meet
-he~e crs TIRE fst of OvsUDsT, thereafter
as may be practicable, for the purpose OF organ
izatlou and initiating the work OF the survey.
Respectfully submitted.
JAS. @. BLAME, Secretary OF State.
In his letter of transmissal, the presi-
dent says: "Public attention has been
chiefly attracted 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
aud improved steamship lines undoubtedly
furnish the readiest means OF developing
an increased trade with the Latin
American nations, but it should not
be forgotten that IL is possible TO travel
by land from Washington 10 the
southsrmost capital Of South America and
that the opening Of railroad communiea-
tion with these friendly states will give
to them aud to us facilities for i'm
terconrse aud the exchange of trade that
are OF special value. The work contem-
plated is vast, bat entirely practicable. IL
will be interesting to all, and perhaps sur
prising to most of us, to notice how mucA
has already been done In the way OF rail-
road construction In Mexico and South
America that can be utilized a. part Of an
inter-continental lins. | do not hesitate
to recommend that congress make the very
moderate appropriation for surveys sug-
gested by the conference and authorize the
appointment of commissioners and the de-
tail of engineer aificers 10 direct and con