The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1849-12-28
best method of transportation to be construct
The House adjourned.
AFTERNOON SESSION.

4 ne House aulouFned.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The House resumed the consideration OF
the bill for the incorporation of the Evans
vile and Terre Haute Railroad Company
Mr.. Goodwin wished to place himself right.
He desired to exonerate himself from the re-
marks of the gentleman from Vanderburgh,
! lMr. Greathouse). The impression had
gone to the House, If certain amendment
was stricken out of the bill. he would go for
| it. He asserted that he would do no such
thing. 1t was matter of but little moment
| to him, whether Vincennes was inserted or
not. Still, if the bill passed, he confessed he
did desire the road to pass through his coun-
! ty. As it would be of immense advantage to
his constituents. no gentleman would blame
him. This bill had been committed to the
judiciary committee, to ascertain whether any
| legal objections existed to its passage, and
they had reported it back with d recommend
alton for indefinite postponement He thought
that expression sufficient from the committee.
There was no doubt but that contract
would be affected by 1t, and the interest Gre
ated by the contract would be violated. We
were pledged by a solemn resolution, to throw
no interference in the way ofthe bondholders.
Should we turn round and coolly Violate our
W
before the House. for that purpose, not a
member here would vot4 for it. These were
the reasons for his course. He hoped he
would be understood and eXonerated.
Mr.. Weir read the act under which the in
terests of the bondholders had existence and
denied that it referred simply TO their right to
collect tolls, &c. Our faith was pledged no
farther.
Dougherty of EIkheart, examined the pc
culiar contract existing between the State and
bondhoders At the breaking up of the
system of internal improvements, the people
found themselves burthened by debt OF Sill
100000. Unable TO pay off the liability they
had contracted with their creditors, if they
would surrender one-half their claims. they
would surrender the canal lands and the reve
nues arising from it. We agree further, mt
pay an interest of two and one-half per Geo.
upon the debt. Wherein has the state viot
lated that contract? Have we not surrender
ed the canal Have the bondholders not
enjoyed the revenue arising from it? Have
we no. regularly paid the interest promised
This was an express contract and nothing
could be implied under it. Where was the
solitary breach nl any express obligation con-
tanned in that act2 Gentlemen were not at
liberty to imagine Il multitude of provisions
unexpressed therein. And there mere asser-
ton as to violations which would dishonor
Indiana and bring reproach upon her charac
ter was not sufficient Hence he thought
there could be no violation of the vested
rights of the bondholder, by the passage of
the bill. And If there was no selection the
interest of the people should rise paramount
to all others, and the interest was certainly in
the construction Of the road.
Mr.. Carnahan of P, remarked that impu-
tations has been flung out against himself and
his constituents. 1t has been alleged that
because the proposed rold did not run through
their county, he was fighting his best to de-
stroy it. The charge was false. Some
gentleman had attempted to make capital out
Of his allusion to MIR. Butler. He had no de-
sign to array that gentleman's name here, as
a terror to the House. Had mentioned him
simply because he had confded in his ability
and knowledge. The ground Of his objection
to the BILL was now as before. If we passed
it, it was no more nor less than a cool viola
ton OF a contract which the State of Indiana
was IN sacred honor pledged to maintain
and regard.
Mr.. Nickel made some playful illusions to
" the snarP' which the gentleman from = the
pocket" had got into. He stated the desire
of the people was that the railroad might be
completed
Mr.. Withers added few remarks going TO
sustain his position in the morning.
Mr.. Conner answered the allusion in the
TO the obscure "village Of Troy"
He had no other interest in the subject than
the interest of the State. His constituents
had borne without murmur, the burthensome /
taxes levied for years past TO carry out our
with the bondhoders. He spoke
relative to the Infringement of our contract
with them.
Mr.. Wilson had word or two to make in
reply to those gentlemen who referred to the
committee on judiciary. Too much debate
had already arisen upon the bill. For his own
part he had acted in conformity with the in
structions of the committee of which he was
chairman. He repealed with indignation the
charges relative to lobby members haunting
his hall and exerting themselves to carry tie
bill by improper influences.
The question being put, the bill passed !;
'eas IS, hayes "a.