e
bonds of the company, with a portion of those issued by the United
States in aid of the company, built both the Union and Central
Pacific, so that the constructors of those roads, who were mainly
directors and managers of the company, practically received as
profit a large portion of the bonds of the United States issued in
aid of the work, and almost the entire capital stock of the company.
If the act had been delayed until after the war, when the securities
of the United States rapidly advanced in value, it could not have
passed in the form it did. The construction of the road was
practically not commenced until the war was over. The constructors
had the benefit of the advancing value of the bonds and of the
increasing purchasing power of United States notes.

It was unfortunate that the bill for the construction of the Northern
Pacific Railroad came up at the same time. It was a faulty measure,
making excessive grants of public lands to aid in the construction
of a railroad and telegraph line from Lake Superior to Puget Sound.
It was an act of incorporation with broad and general powers,
carelessly defined, and with scarcely any safeguards to protect
the government and its lavish grants of land. Some few amendments
were made, but mostly in the interest of the corporation, and the
bill finally passed the Senate without any vote by yeas and nays.

These two bills prove that it is not wise during war to provide
measures for a time of peace.

During the same session the Territories of Colorado, Nebraska and
Nevada were authorized to form state governments for admission into
the Union, and a government was provided for each of the Territories
of Montana and Idaho. The great object of organizing all the Indian
country of the west into states and territories was to secure the
country from Indian raids and depredations.

By far the most beneficial action of Congress at this session was
the passage of the 13th article of the constitution of the United
States, viz., "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except
as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly
convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place
subject to their jurisdiction."

It was thoroughly debated, and passed the Senate by the large vote
of 38 yeas and 6 nays. It subsequently received the sanction of
the House and of the requisite number of states to make it a part
of the constitution. This was the natural an