The Smoky Hill And Republican Union

The Pacific Railroad--Collateral Roads--The House Bill--The Prospects in the Senate--The Conditions of the Bill--Its Benefits to Kansas--The War for the Union--Anticipated Victories--Jennison and Sturgis.

WASHINGTON, May 15, 1862.

Editors of the Union:--As you have doubtless been advised long ere this, the Pacific Railroad bill passed the House on Thursday last by a vote of 49 to 79.

As it passed the House, the bill organizes "the Union Pacific Railroad Company," to erect a railroad from the western border of Kansas to the eastern border of California, and donates to the company five alternate sections of land on each side of the road where the same is not taken, and $16,000 per mile in thirty year United States six per cent bonds--with treble the amount of bonds through the Rocky and Nevada Mountains, and double the amount between the Mountains. It authorizes the Leavenworth, Pawnee and Western R. R. Co. under its charter, to build their road, as a branch of the Pacific Road, from Kansas City to the Western boundary of Kansas, and the construction of another branch from the western boundary of Iowa, to connect with the U.P. R. R. on the western line of Kansas, and also the construction of a branch from Leavenworth, fifty miles in length, and the construction of a branch from St. Joseph, one hundred miles in length, to intersect with the Pawnee road--all upon the same terms of the U. P. R. R.--that is, ten sections of land and $16,000 for each mile of road. The Western end of the road is left with a California company, with the same aid as extended to Eastern end.

The House bill was reported by the Senate Committee on Monday last, with a number of amendments, the only one of interest to your readers being one making Fort Riley a point in the road--an amendment not material, as by the terms of the bill as it now stands, the road will be so built.

The friends of the enterprise in the Senate feel confident that they can carry it in that body by a majority of from eight to twelve on a full vote. For the present, the bill lies upon the table, but may be taken up at any time. Its consideration will, however, be deferred for some time on account of the Tax and Confiscation bills. Of its passage when taken up, and its approval by the President, there is, to say the least, a reasonable certainty.

The aggregate amount of the bonds to be issued in aid of the construction of the road is not to exceed $60,000,000, the principal and interest to be paid the Government in freights and mail service on the road. The Kansas company is required to complete one hundred miles of the road within two years from the passage of the bill, and fifty yearly thereafter. The entire road is to be completed by 1875.

To say nothing of the National view of the matter, the passage of this bill will be of incalculable benefit to the people of Kansas. Its immediate effect will be the expenditure of some fifteen to twenty millions of dollars in the construction of the road and its branches, within the limits of the State, and its resulting effects the concentration of hundreds of millions of dollars of wealth and millions of people within her limits. From the main trunk road of the Kansas Valley, collateral roads will speedily diverge in every direction in the State, and in ten years Kansas will be covered with a network of roads which will equal those in the older States. To the Western Territories, too, it opens up the highway to future wealth, prosperity and greatness, and binds with a chain that can never be broken the Pacific and the Atlantic States.

The intelligence from the patriot forces now in the field gives encouragement of the speedy crushing out of the rebellion, and of the restoration of the authority of the Government throughout all the revolted States. On land and water, where patriots have met the foe, the old flag waves in triumph. Victories follow each other in such rapid succession, that a bare allusion to the last one in a letter from this place, would be regarded as stale by the time it could reach you. Suffice it to say that all eyes are now turned in the direction of Richmond and Corinth, and all ears listening for the shouts of triumph which they feel certain will be heard by all true men from both points.
Jennison and Sturgis, two much talked of Kansas men, are both here at this time. The former will, probably, in a few days be nominated as a Brigadier, and given the command of an expedition to the Indian Territory and for the recovery of Fort Smith. The latter will not be returned to Kansas, but in all probability will, like many others like him in the regular army, be permitted to pass off into quiet, infamous obscurity.

Yours, &c.,
McB.