Mr. BIDWELL. A bill of a precisely similar character was acted upon more than 3 months ago and ordered to be re orted favor ably from the ComPacRailroad. Now the only thing I fear, if this bill is referred to the ComPubLands, is that the delayin this House, and then the delay it will be sure to meet in the Senate, will defeat the bill. Now, in reference to the Pacific Railroad Committee, I beg leave to say that on page 181 of the Rules 1 find the following: "There shall be appointedat the commencement of eachCon ress a ComPacRailroad, to consist 9 members' and it shall be the duty of the said committeeto take into consideration all such petitions and matters and things relative to railroads and telegraph lines between the Mississippi valley and the Pacific coast as shall be presented or shall comein questionand be referredtothembytho House, and to report their opinion. together with such propositions relative thereto, as to themshall seemexpedient." This bill therefore clearly comes within the provision of that rule, and belongs to the jurisdiction of the Pacific Railroad Committee. Now, ifI believed there had been any want of earnest consideration on the part of that committee, I certainly would be Willing to have it go to the ComPubLands. If the Pacific Railroad Committee have not fairly considered this bill, have not fairly weighed the provisions which are to guard the rights both of the Government and of individuals, then I am wholly at a loss to know what can be done in order to throw still greater safe uards around a measure of this kind. Besides, sir, this is a Senate bill. It was most thoroughly considered by the ComPubLands of the Senate. All its provisions were thoroughly wei hed, some of the members of the committee ein, I believe, adverse to making the grant. he bill now comes here, not only with the sanction of the Senate, but with the unanimous ap roval of the ComPacRailroad of this House. Now, Mr. Speaker, without consuming further time upon this point, I will move the amendment which I 1st proposed, with the understanding that the Gentfrom Indiana will accept it. The amendment is to insert after the word “railroad” at the end of the 8th line of the 2nd section the words “within 20 miles from the line thereof.”