Mr. WILSON, of Iowa. I differ with the Gentfrom Pennsylvania [Min STEVENS] in reference to the construction of this bill, although if the construction which he adopts be correctI have no serious objection to the measure. I desire that the gentleman shall agree either that the bill be referred to the ComPacificRR, with leave to report at any time, or that it be made a special order for some early day, or that he will consent to an amendment which I hold in my hand. I repose to add to the 1st section of the bill this additional proviso: Andprvoidedfurth er. That no mineral lands shall be included in the grant herebymade, but the same shall bereservedto the U.S.: that nothing in this aeteontained shall besoconstruedas to affect the right of the Union PacificRailroad Companyto receive the bondsprurided for in the act of July 1, 1862 and of July 2. 1864.to aid in the construction of t 10Union Pacific road on its entire line from Omaha to the point of its connectionwith the road of the Central acificrailroad, ofCalifornia and that bonds shall notbeissuedto the union Pacific Railway Company, easterndivision. on a greater number of miles than are embracedin the line efsaid read he twccir the Misrlpuri river and the 100th meridian. asindicated in the map heretoforefiled by and companyin the Interior Dept. I will state what I regard to be‘the effect of this amendment. The grant provided in the 1st section of this bill is a new grant of lands, and it is to reserve from the operation of that grant any mineral lands which may lie within the limits of the grant. It will be observed, by the language of the 1st section of this bill, that it is provided the Union Pacific Railway Company, eastern division, is authorized to designate the general route of their road, and to file a map thereof, as now required by law, at any time before the 1st day of December, 1866; and upon the filing of the said map, showing the general route of said read, the lands along the entire line thereof, so far as the same may be designated, shall be reserved from sale by order of the SecyInterior. My construction of that is that it makes a new grant of land on the new line. It grants the entire body' of land without designating by Odd or even sections. It includes all the mineral lands lyin within the rant. I do not think that is what my frien designed, but I k that would he the effect of the language n ed. I am told by those friendl to this bill they do not intend to deprive the nion Pacific Railroad Company of the aids provided in 1862 and 1864 in the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad from the 100th me ridian of west longitude to connect with the California road. If that be the case then they intend to dojust what I seek by this amendment which is this: that the Union Pacific Railroad Company shall, notwithstanding the passage of this bill, have the aids provided in those'sections for the completion of this road. I have no objection to the change made in the California road. If that company want to build the road faster than the [Ihion Pacific Railroad Company, I say let them build it, for the country wants this road completed at as early a day as possible. So if the California coin any can [ii'iild their road to Salt Lake City before the Union Pacific Railroad Company can get their road there, I say let' them uild it. Its completion at the earliest possible day is what we want. But I do not want them‘ deprived of the aids provided in 1862 and 1864. I am told by the friends of this bill that its object is as is stated in my amendment. If that be so, I am not asking more than they concode is already provided for in this bill. But I differ with them in the construction that will be given to the language used and therefore I ask that my anicudnent be adopted. There is one other thing. I am told by the friends of the bill that they do not intend to provide for issuing more bonds to the Kansas company than is already provided for in the legislation of 1862 and 1864. I am willin that legislation should rest where we placer it at these periods. I am willing that company shall have the bonds we have already provided. I say, therefore, they shall receive bonds to the entire amount for the construction of the road from the Missouri river to the initial point on the 100th meridian of west longi tude. If they wish to push it further south, let them do it. I think it would advance the interests of the country. They say, too, they do not ask any more bonds. There is one view in connection with the existing law I wish to present to the House, because it is on that point difference of construction springs up between myself and those who advocate the bill in its present form, and that is this: under the law as'it now stands the company which reaches the 100th degree hrstis authorized to construct the Union Pacific railroad. Now, if the Kansas company reach the 100th degree 1st, of course, under this provision of law, itwillbe authorized to construct the Union Pacific railroad. What effect follows that? Simplythis, that by being authorized to construct the Union Pacific railroad all the subsidies provided in present legislation for the construction of a Pacific railroad from the line commencing at the Republican fork and running westward to connect with the California road will pass down to the Kansas road, and the line on the Platte valley route is deprived of all subsidies westward of the 100th degree. Now, I am told that it is not the design of the friends of this bill to accomplish that result, and I give them credit for statingeirecisely what they desire to effect. The only ifference between us is as to the construction to be given to this bill in connection with the law as it now exists. Now, sir, I hope that inasmuch as this company which is building the road west from Omaha by the Platte valley route have completed already over 120 miles of that road, and are layingi their track at the rate of a mile and a half a ay, they will not be stopped in the construction of that work. If this bill means what it is contended it does mean, it cannot affect the Platte valley route or the Union Pacific Railroad Company. But if it means what I insist it does mean, and what I claim would be the construction put upon it if the question should be thrown into the courts of law, then it would destroy this enterprise entirely. I hope, therefore, that the Gentfrom Pennsylvania will accept one of the 3 propositions whichI have made: either that the bill should be referred to the ComPacRailroad, with leave to report at any time; or that it should be set down as the special order for consideration at an early day, so that we may have a discussion of the important questions involved in it; or that he will allow me to offer my amendment now. I do not want to interfere with the object which these gentlemen say they have in view; I have no such intention. I only desire to protect rights which now exist. I am willing that gentlemen shall have such changes in our legislation as they desire, provided they jo not affect existing rights. iope, therefore, that the Gentfrom Pennsylvania [Mr. S'rnvnss] will give his assent to one of the pi'opositions I have made.