Mr. BIDWELL. I think, Mr. Speaker, that opposition to this bill comes with very little ace from the Gentfrom Illinois, [Mr. WASHBURNE] His State is gridironed with railroads, many if not most of which have been constructed through Government aid by grants of land. And I am told that that State not only has the benefit of the development of her resources by the railroads constructed through the public lands, but that it also derives a revenue almost sufficient to sustain the State government by reserving a% age on the sales of the lands granted by the government for railroad purposes. And now the Gentfrom Illinois threat ens to bring forward the sum total of the grants made for internal improvements in those States and to parade those enormous figures before the House in order to defeat a road as necessary as any road within the public domain of this country, and to lay it to the charge of the railroad which is now asked to be aided by the Government in the Territory of Washington. I repeat, as it has been said here, we might as omeet the issue now. This country is vast; its resources are immeasurable; its development is in a state of progression, and unless the Representatives of the country can entertain a comprehensive view of the public interest and extend equal and impartial aid to all portions of it some parts must lack, suffer, even retrogade. It is absolutely necessary in order to develop the regions west of the Rocky mountains to encourage the opening up of channels of communication. It is necessary to the agricultural development of the country, necessary to the mineral development, necessary to the stability and prosperity of this country upon its western borders. During the last session this Congress granted aid in order to construct a i connecting California with Oregon. I think no man has been able to find a single solid objection to the grant then made. No one will be so bold as to say that it will not largely aid in the development of that country, that it is not absolutely necessary as a military measure, as a postal measure, and as a measure of. pros perity upon the western border of our country. ow, sir, this road to which it is proposed to grant aid is merely a continuation of that road to connect it with one of the finest har bors in the world. Mr. Speaker, I am aware there are other bills pending before Congress asking aid in the way of donations of land for the purpose of effecting their construction. If we stop here, after having granted aid to every State upon the eastern slope of the Rocky mountains and deprive of these same measures the Pacific, what is going to be the effect? The people on that slope are engaged in establishing an empire which is to form a very important part of this Republic. You may cripple it while we are endeavoring to develop it. You can, if you see proper, withhold the same measure of aid to us that you have given to others on this side, and thereby to the extent of your power endeavor to alienate us; but I can tell gentlemen if they comprehend the real wants of this country they must mete out to us the same measure of justice they have asked for themselves. One thing is, they never can alienate the patriotism of the people of the Pacific. While we are engaged in throwing into your markets the very gold which sustains your credit, and without which you would be on the verge of financial bankruptcy, and endeavoring at the same time to develop the resources yhich will make us a great.Polo. people, you endeavor to deprive us of the very same means which you have already received at the hands of this Government. I ask, I appeal to the House, is it just? is it right? If you are going to deny this measure you ought to be consistent and repeal every bill you passed at the last session of Congress. I will not occupy any more of the time of the House. Of course I will yield for expla nation. I am desirous to have a vote on the bill today.