[jpsb]

Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act July 1, 1862, authorizing huge government land grants to finance the construction. Two years later, a second bill doubled the land grants and sweetened the other terms. Altogether, 45 million acres of land were given away, and the government laid out some $60 million in cash, while only $4 million was invested from private capital.

Lincoln was determined to ``conquer space'' to the west. At one point, when the project seemed dead for lack of funds, he arbitrarily redefined the Rocky Mountains as starting in their foothills, so that more money could be paid to the builders under the legislated formula--$32,000 in the mountains, as against only $16,000 per mile in the flatter land. It was said at the time, ``Abraham's faith moves mountains.''

[wideminded]

Lincoln was determined to ``conquer space'' to the west.

"Let us then bind the Republic together with a perfect system of roads and canals. Let us conquer space."

- John C. Calhoun, house of Representatives, February 4th, 1817

[JustSayNoToNannies]

The Constitution doesn't authorize the federal government to spend taxpayer money in pursuit of "ambition" or "magnificence." Spend your own money on those if you like.

Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act July 1, 1862, authorizing huge government land grants to finance the construction. [...]

None of that addresses my statement.