Mr. FARNSWORTS. Well, sir, the Treas nry is not just now in a condition to warrant us in trying to do everything; and as there is sometimes a choice of evils, so there is a choice of benefits. When we cannot do all at once the various works which commend themselves to our judgment by the good results expected from them, we must select that which will Eccomplish the greatest good, and do that rat. Why, Mr. Speaker, many people seem to i suppose it is practicable and feasible for the Government to undertake to build 3 separate railroadsxto the Pacific ocean. The argument is made here. inasmuchas we have granted subsidies to the Central Pacific railroad, that therefore we should treat all Others in like manner. I do not see the force of that argument. Whether it was right and properor not to make the grant to the Central Pacific railroad does not affect the propriety of making this grant. If it were wrong to make the grant to the Central Pacific railroad that does not make it right to make a grant to the Northern Pacific railroad. If it were right to make the grant to the Central Pacific railroad it does not follow that therefore we should make a grant to any other. In my judgment the country does not de mand it, nor is it feasible or practicable at the present time to undertake the building of more than one road to the Pacific. I do not believe it is practicable or feasible to build a railroad 4 or 500 miles through a country not. inhabited. I do not believe you can ever build or run a road overa country for that distance where there are no inhabitants. As fastns the country becomes inhabited, as fast.as it is peopled, then they may want a railroad. As fast as it is peopled the lands will come into market and become valuable. But to under take at the present time to put roads through, to force them through in the short space of films contemplated by this act, is impractica e. N or do I believe, Mr. Speaker, that the commerce of the country at. the present time demands more than one road. 1 think the Government had better with the $17,000,000 called for by this act dig a ship canal across the Isthmus to connect the waters of the At lantic with the Pacific. It certainly would be better to do that than to build a 2nd road. Heavy freight: will not go to land to the Pacific. Heavy freights will seek water communication. They will always be transported by water.