Year: 1860

Some time since we announced that. ex-
cept for Mr. Gwins opposition, the Pacific
Railroad bill would in all probability have
become law during the last session of Con.
gress. AT the same time We specified pre-
clsely the circumstances under which he
effected its defeat again, at a period when
because of the pendency of a Presidential
election, 1t was stronger in Congress than ot
any other time during tho last four wears
We have looked in vain for any denial of
our statement. The Senator has evidently
prohted by experience, and learned that 81
lence is the best policy when agitation of the
facts will only make his faithlessness more
clear But as the Senator is candidate for
reelection, and hopes to succeed-not by
personal endorsement at the hands of his
party, but 10y silently insinuating his friends
INTO the legislature without challenging pub.
lie suspicion as to their Senatorial procliyi
ties-we are determined that the people shall
know how much they are indebted TO him
for the failure of the Pacific Railroad, as well
as its pioneer, the Daily Overland Mail.


Let us recapitulate the facts. Towards
the close of the session, the House Select Com
mittee on Pacific Railroad agreed substantial.
ly to the same railroad bill that was pending
in the Senate. Thus, at last the Committees
of both houses were brought in harmony on
that great measure. This was an important
point gained. The standing rules of the
House rendered it impossible, however, for
that body to take its own bill up out of the
regular order Of the calendar, except by
two-thirds vote. But if the Senate mad pass
ed the measure and sent it down to the House.
a majority vote would have been sufficient
to take it from the table and pass it forth
with. True, there would have been no time
Tor extensive debate; but that was quite un-
necessary in connection with measure which
had been subject of discussion every wear
since the settlement of the Oregon boundary
line


Under these circumstances, it was proposed
In the Senate Select Committee, to take up
the bill in that body press it TO vote, pass
and send it TO the House, SO that it might
become law. Men Of all parties professed
to be in favor of the project; and it was well
known that there were some members III
each house who secretly were opposed to the
Pacific Railroad, but who would not dare
Uote against it while a Presidential election
was impending. For this reason it was
deemed of vital Importance that the issue
should be pressed to the lips Of its professed
that they might be compelled to





of popular rebuke. The result
could scarcely have been doubtful; the bill
would have triumphed had the issue been
made. With Senator Gwin's aid in the Sen
ate Committe, IL pou!d hare been made but
he opposed and so defeated it, protesting that
there was no time to get action, and urging
the postponement of the effort until next ses-
sion. lie succeeded only too well. For
these f1cts we hare the authority of tie Hon.
Mr.. lViaaH Breckenridge Democratic Sena-
tor from Texas, who was member of the
Senate Pacific Rairoa Committee and
whose statements will scarcely be disputed.


Why did Mr.. Gwin, if a true friend of the
railroad, assume this attitude? There was
everything to be made by success in the effort
to get immediate action, and nothing to lose
by the failure; for, if it had failed, the bill
would have been in just as good condition
next winter as it is now Besides, if the
friends of the measure were not strong
enough to carry it through before the Pres
idential election, what hope can there be for
it Immediately subsequent to that event :?
Verify, the ways Of Senator Gwin are past
finding out