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to the Government, and the advantages obtained by the construction of the road to the Government, the District, and a large section of the country are so manifest and important that the favorable action of Congress must meet with general approval.

Our space will not permit us to enlarge upon this report, but we would refer to the letter of Mr. J. M. Vernon to President Smoot, published in the Republican of Friday, containing instructive and useful information as to the extent of our internal traffic and the important relations the Southern Maryland Railroad bears to it.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND RAILROAD.

We learn that the friends of the Southern Maryland Railroad intend to offer an amendment to one of the railroad bills now before Congress, asking the Government to guarantee the interest on its bonds. If the credit of the Government is to be loaned for such purposes of internal improvement, we can see no possible reason why this road should not have it also, as, in an economical sense, as well as a matter of direct benefit to the Government, this road has claims equal, if not superior, to many others that are now asking for this aid.

According to a late able report of naval officers, Saint Mary's River, on the line of this road, has been pronounced as offering some of the best and safest facilities for a naval coal-harbor that can be found in any waters in the country, and they recommend in the strongest possible terms that the Government make it such, in view of the proposed building of this road.

Now, as this road will form easier and cheaper connections with the coal-fields of Virginia and Pennsylvania, of course the Government could, with the facilities of this road, purchase its supplies at prices far below those paid at present, and this, added to the advantages of cheap transportation of troops and supplies to tide-water, would be worth to the Government the full value of the guarantee, even if obliged to pay it; but as this is not proposed, nor does the company ask for the benefit of this credit until the road is built and in working order, we can see no risk in extending the aid asked for.

We have frequently heard it argued that, had the Government had this road during the rebellion, millions of money could have been saved in the transportation of troops and supplies to the Chesapeake Bay, and General McClellan would have captured Richmond on his first attempt. What this would have saved in the loss of life and money others can better calculate. Whether such a necessity may ever arise again, (and God forbid it,) the reason for the Government possessing itself of such facilities is still as strong, nevertheless.

We are well aware of the danger of such precedents and of the capital the enemies of all such ventures can make out of it; but when a case is presented such as this, with the indorsement of one of the most important branches of the public service, its entire character is changed, and can just as reasonably be classed under the head of a public necessity as is the building of dry-docks and navy-yards. This may not be a very opportune time to urge such a matter as this, but we are satisfied that the more Congress will consider its merits the stronger will its claims become. The advantages outside of those accruing to the Government are well understood, and we feel satisfied that, notwithstanding our present financial embarrassment, had the people of the District been allowed to express their opinion on the question of a subscription to this road, they would have cheerfully assumed the investment, believing, as they do, that it would have been a profitable one.

THE SOUTHERN MARYLAND RAILROAD.

We are glad to observe that this road is now attracting very general attention. It has been presented to Congress in both Houses for legislative action to aid in its construction, and the press of this city has very generally recognized its great importance, not only to be industrial interests of the District, but also to the Government for the transportation of munitions of war, coal, and supplies of every description.

The importance of Saint Mary's River as a coaling station for the Navy, and a depot of supplies generally, has been set forth in so strong a light that it must arrest the earnest attention of Congress, and commend the bills pending for aid to complete the construction of the road at an early day to the favorable consideration of both Houses.

In an article like this it is impossible to refer in detail to the great advantages which must result to the District and the Government. It is enough to state that it gives the

seat of Government a short, convenient, and rapid outlet to the sea, and to the important military and naval posts on the Lower Chesapeake and at Norfolk.

Although the session is a short one, and other matters are pressing upon the attention of Congress, we feel quite satisfied that this question is of sufficient importance to demand prompt and favorable consideration and action. We are quite sure that there is no measure before either House that will contribute more generally and largely to the great interests of a large section of the country as well as to this District.

THE SOUTHERN MARYLAND RAILROAD.

As this session and end of the Forty-third Congress is drawing to a close, there are many measures depending upon its action in which this District is largely interested, and among them there are none, outside of the settlement of our debt and providing for a new government, that are more closely identified with our future than the bill asking a loan of the Government credit in aid of the construction of the Southern Maryland Railroad; and, as we have already said, there is no improvement in which the Government can more consistently take an interest than the one proposed in this road, for the simple reason that it will largely be the gainer, and that, too, in a way that will bring it more or less under its immediate control.

Of the special merits of this road in a local sense, and even those in which the Government will reap the largest share, we do not think it necessary to elaborate further than we have already. The matter for Congress to decide is the question of the expediency of loaning its credit; whether it will be safe to do so under proper guarantees, and what means, in the event of this loan, will be at the disposal of the Government to protect itself from all failure likely to arise from such a use of its credit.

This is best explained by the bill itself, and in terms strong enough, we think, to meet the demands of all possible contingencies:

First. That no such indorsement shall be made until the said company shall have made and executed and duly recorded a deed of trust, to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury, upon all the said company's railroad completed, as provided in the first section of this act, and on all its lands, lots, rolling-stock and real and personal property of every description, providing for the indemnification of the United States against any loss by reason of any such guarantee or indorsement.

Second. That the said road shall be completed within two years from and after the passage of this act; and, in default thereof, this act shall be utterly void and of noneffect, and the Secretary of the Treasury shall not indorse or guarantee the bonds of the said company, as provided in the foregoing sections of this act.

Third. That in order to provide means to meet the coupons on the bonds guaranteed as aforesaid, as the same shall become due and payable, the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and directed to retain all moneys arising from the transportation of mails, coal, troops, and supplies of every description for the Government of the United States, and to apply the same to the payment of the said coupons as the same become due; and in case the amount thus retained shall not be sufficient to pay the said coupons as they fall due, then the said company shall deposit with the Secretary of the Treasury a sufficient amount out of the net earnings of the said railroad to make up said deficiency.

Fourth. To provide for the payment of the principal of these bonds, all the surplus earnings, after paying the interest and other expenses, if any such exist, shall be paid to the United States Treasurer, and by him invested in United States bonds for the purpose of creating a sinking-fund to meet both principal and interest at the expiration of thirty years.

Here are conditions, it strikes us, sufficient to meet and provide against all dangers, and should satisfy the most cautious members of Congress who are opposed to the loan of Government credit on the ground of its likelihood of abuse. All this question requires is a careful examination of its merits, and we are satisfied, if tried by this standard, it cannot fail to meet the approval of Congress; and we hope it will.

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The passage of a resolution requesting the President to rescind Executive order of March 12, 1873, setting apart a large quantity of agricultural land in Lincoln County, in the State of Nevada, for an Indian reservation, known as the Muddy or Moapa Indian reservation.

FEBRUARY 4, 1875.-Referred to the Committee on the Public Lands and ordered to be printed.

Whereas the President of the United States, by an Executive order dated March 12, 1873, has set apart a large quantity of agricultural land in the county of Lincoln, in this State, for an Indian reservation, known as the Muddy or Moapa Indian reservation; and

Whereas said land embraces nearly one-half of the agricultural land of said county; and

Whereas said land has heretofore supported a population of some 1,700 souls, (as the census of 1870 will show ;) and

Whereas the withdrawal of said land from pre-emption and settlement by our people has seriously diminished the revenue of the county and State; and

Whereas said land, being directly on the route of travel from Utah and Eastern Nevada to Southern California and Arizona, the establishment of a reservation there would be a serious obstruction to travel and a great detriment to the well-being of the whole State: Therefore,

Resolved, That our Senators in Congress be instructed and our Representatives be requested to urge the passage of a resolution requesting the President to rescind said order.

Resolved, That his excellency the governor be requested to forward to each of our Representatives in Congress an engrossed copy of the above preamble and resolutions.

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STATE OF NEVADA, Secretary's Office, ss:

I, J. D. Minor, secretary of state of the State of Nevada, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true, full, and correct copy of the original resolution which passed the legislature of the State of Nevada on the 18th day of January, 1875, remaining on file in my office.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the great seal of State. Done at office in Carson City, Nevada, this 21st day of January, A. D. 1875.

[SEAL.]

J. D. MINOR,

Secretary of State, By CHARLES MARTIN, Deputy.

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FEBRUARY 6, 1875.-Referred to the Committee on Commerce and ordered to be printed.

Whereas there is in South Central Missouri a large area of territory bordering on the Gasconade River, between the point where the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad crosses it and its mouth; and whereas said territory abounds in rich deposits of iron, lead, and other valuable minerals, and embraces a large extent of improved and productive agricultural lands; and whereas the inhabitants of saidt erritory are entirely without railroad facilities, and are powerless to develop the vast natural resources of their territory for want of the means of transportation for their heavy staple products; and whereas said Gasconade River is susceptible of such improvement as will render it navigable; and whereas them oney-value of the benefits which would result to the nation, the State, and especially to the inhabitants of said territory, from such improvement would be largely in excess of the cost thereof: Therefore be it

Resolved by the hause of representatives, the senate concurring therein, First, that our Senators are instructed, and our Representatives in Congress are requested, to use their utmost exertions to secure an appropriation from the General Government for the improvement of the Gasconade River, from the point where the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad crosses it to its mouth; second, that the secretary of state be, and is hereby, instructed to transmit, without delay, a copy of these resolutions to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress. Approved January 22, 1875.

OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE,
City of Jefferson, Mo.

I, Michael K. McGrath, secretary of state of the State of Missouri, do hereby certify that the annexed pages contain a true, complete, and full copy of a concurrent resolutionof the general assembly of the State

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