Mr. RAYMOND. Mr. Speaker, in view of what has just been said, it is perhaps properthat I should congratulate myself, in common with the Gentfrom Pennsylvania [Mr. [renewed laughter] and I do notkuow, Srnvnxs] and I believe we are the only 2 members of the House of whom this can be said that we have not, upon this or any other subject, any prejudice whatever that we can be called upon to surrender. [A laugh] Therefore we shall vote together on this bill. He is situated somewhat differently from myself in this regard. I come from the city of NewYork, where, in common with the great portion of the northern Atlantiesea board, our interest is to procure cheap food; and that will as time rolls on become more and more the great interest of all the northeastern States. On the contrary the interest of the great West, which is becoming more and more the grain producing portion of this continent, is to obtain access to those who wish to purchase the food which the western States have to sell. This project is part of agrand scheme of works upon which this Congress must at some day or other enter, to facilitate communication between the grain producing and the grain consuming portions of this country. Asa measure looking toward this great object I favor the bill now before us. I beg leave to say, furthermore, that I shall, to the extent of my ability, favor every measurethat may be brought before the House proposi to facilitate communication between the great Vest and the Atlantic sea board, and falling within what I may deem the scope of the constitutional provisions on the subject. In my judgment 9 facilitatingwf all such communications, the cheapenin of food for the East by opening communications with the markets of the great West, is hereafter to be one of the great works to which this Government is to give its attention. The eastern portion of the count is driftin rapidly into the condition in whiiih En lan found herself before the repeal of the corn aws. At the time of the adoption of the repealin set, her protective policywhich she had pursue for centuries was a and oned under the ressnre of the great and ramonnt necessity o obtaining cheap food or her people. That necessity broke down her prejudices, reversed her settled policy, and inaugurated an entire change in the whole course of her legislation. A similar occurrence must sooner or later take place with res meetto the eastern portion of this continent. hatever, therefore, tends to facilitate communication between these 2 eat sections of the country, tends to conso idate not to reconstruct, for it is not needed in that regard, but to consolidate the Union of the States, and make that Union perpetnal, because it tends to make it one in interest, as it will be one indestiny. I have not examined this bill, so far as its details are concerned, with any care; but I have the greatest confidence in the committee which has had it in charge, and in m colleague, [Mr. VANHons, who has en it no er his particular supervision.