Tri-weekly journal., 1848-02-22
REMARKS OF MR. GRAHAM OF PIKE co

Hdute Railroad Compdny-in the House of
Representatives the lSt of february, 1913,
Mr. SPEAKER: feel great interest in relation to
this bill-so do my constituents. My constituents.
are one, and ALL with the whole body Of the State of
Indiana interested deeply in this ofincoporation
In their haste get through with the business before
u.s. gentlemen must be careful what they do; although
bills innumerabe, incorporating railroads which are
local intheir bearing, and influences, have passed.
yet they must not take it for granted that all are so
By looking at the route contemplated by this act,
Mr. Speaker, will be seen thatit runs from Evans
vile to the.town of Terre Haute--the very points
connected by the termination of the Wabash and Erie
Canal. Now it is known by all that that Canal by
the bill OF last wintera solemn contract is granted
to the bondholders, they releasing in consideration
thereof the greater portion of our State debt. This
nroad will most efectually interfere in the opera
tions of that canal-can any doubt it 2 At the fur
thest point, there is not distance exceeding thirty
miles between the two routes. By the "Butler Bill >"
ali the privileges facilities and appurtenances belong
ing to said canal were granted by the State 10 the
bondholders. This bill then involves the faith of the
State. To pass this bill will be an Infringement /
repeat of tine rights ofthe bondhoders in the Wabash
and Erie canal.
was an advantage gained to the State of Indiana that
should never be lost. BY that arrangement, a large
portion Of our public debt was wiped ou-the credit
of the State raised its former height Shall then
by our acts lose ourselves these advantages, Civ
ing to the bondholders the power over us they had,
and blight again our State credit
There is that beneath this project Of which we are
not apprised What is l Is the project ofthis rail-
- tboI ILL I,
likely to be so. Who would gain more by the
breaking of this contract than those bondholdersl-
Noone. Look at it. Why this railroad along side
this canal along side the Wabash river The citizens
directly on the Wabash river do want it, for ap-
preparations to improve it being spent upon it to
he amount of several thousands, tn it may be
dered safely navgable. The citizens of vincennes
will not give cen: towards the construction Of this
raiIroad not one cent Who is il then that wants
the railroadl-would not the bondhelders then be
glad for opportunity 10 relieve themselves of bad
bargainl What would please them SO we'll as an op-
portunity given by the State to fly from the bond!
This railroad terminates at the town Of Evansville,
point of termination also the CANAL the rail road
begins at Terre Haue, also where the canal touches;
it where contemplated would Of course compete and
successfully too with the canal in carrying freight,
tnuS all DeDeHt arising from the canal
TO the bondholdcrs. What good would the canal be
to them or the State in such EVENT. Would not this
be breach of faith the part Of the Stael Would
not this be opportunity for them to fly from the con-
tract which is without any competition Of any rail-
road, bad bargain for them-to whose benefit then
would this railroad BET Why it is perfectly plain
there is something at the bottom of the whole affair
Those bondholdcrs have land office, and agency at
Terre Haute- why are those agents not here work
ing against this billl Whyl Does it not look very
much ifthev but waiting for this legislature
10 throw the door open for opportunity to again
saddle upon this, and the coming generations bur
densome debt--relieve themselves of an incum-
bfancel
Mr.. Speaker, repeat there il no use of this rail-
road. The citizens along the route do not want it,.
side OF them they have the Wabash and Erie ca
nal lon the other the Wabash river which being rem
dored navgable. 1t cannot assist the town of Evans
vile more than the canal-let that be finished; let it
be rendered ofuse finished, and Evansville will do as
well as with the railroad. But if you charter this
company you by it eiIectualy destroy the obect the
usefulness of the canal-you break in upon the pro-
visions of the bill Of last winter; you infringe upon
vested righs-they, the bondhoders will withdraw
from the arrang mens made with them by the State
and thus by the of the State herself have placed
her in the guilt ofdespair from which she has but inst
raised hesself-and again be placed among non pay
ing States call upon gentlemen reflect carefully
upon what they are doing, and do nothing of which
wrong may come
Mr.. Speaker, must come to a close as have de-
tanned the House longer than intended to do but the
people whom have the honor TO represent, have a
great interest in the matter and for them, must and
will stand up at all hazards whether meet the rowns
OF other members or not.
LAcoNIc CoRREsPoNDENcE.-The Baltimore cores
pondent Of the New York Herald, gives the follow
ing correspondence as having passed between Messrs
Johnson and Brent, prior to the settlement Of their re-
cent difficulties:
Mn. JOHNSON TO Mr. BRENT.-Sir; You called me
liar in court, and respectfully request rerac-
ton.
Mr.. BRENT TO Mr.. JoHSsoS,-Sir: You charged me
in open court with violation of the courteses ofthe
bar, and not only refused retract but reasserted it,
which called forth the accusation Of falsehood from