The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-10-12

the nlineis Legislature adopted its mammoth sys-
| tenn OF Internal Improvement, and among other
terprises commenced the copstrucfron IL Central
| Railroad as state work, Mr. Holor0ok having
surrendered his charter for that purpose. After
asyns seos' % on the road
abandoned. "A charter was subsequently, granted
by the Legislature to the Cairo City and Canal
Company, by which that company was authorized
to construct the Central Railroad AT the last re-
guIar session of the Legislature, while bill was
pending before Congress making grant of land to
the State in aid Of the construction Of that railroad
the right OF way aud all the work which had been
executed by the State at the cost of million of
dollars, together with all the lands which had BEEN
or should hereafter be granted by Congress to the
State, IN aid OF the construction of said railroad.
How this act was passed remains mystery, as its
existence was not known in Illinois Inul Judge
Douglas brought it to light in speech at Chicago,
IN October last. In that speech Judge Douglas
denounced the whole transaction as fraud upon
| the Legislature and the people OF the State, and
| declared that he would denouace it as such TO the
ever made to that body for grant of land, whilst
the H0lbrook charters, and especially the &C. re-
! ferfed 10, remained in force.
Mr.. Hobrook discovering that he had no hope
of grant of land from Congress, unless Judge
| Douglas objecto 9, as set forth in his speeches
delivered al Chicago and Springfield, could be re-
moved0 executed, in December last, a paper pur.
porting 10 be release OF his railroad charter, and
OF all rights under H. in duplicate, sending copy
TO the Governor of Illinois, aud the other to Judge
Douglas; stating in his letter to the Governor that
| he had executed that release in order to obviate
Judge DougLs' apprehensions that the interests of
| the State were to be sacrificed by the act of the
Legislature to which have referred (See the
letter TO the Governor, marked A, and the release
marked Is, accompanying this letter.)
| When that release was shown to Judge d., at
Washington, by the agents of the Cairo City aud
Canal Company, he at once informed them that it
| was void, and not binding on the company, having
been executed by ID. b. Holbrook, as President OF
the Company, without the authority or sanction
efthe stockholders oreven the Board Of Dire ctors.
| (See Judge Douglas letter to the Governor Of
Illinois, marked O. Judge d. also informed the
agents that, unless release in due form and e-
gally binding upon the company, was executed he
Should introduce bill, which he had then already
prepared, for grant of land in aid Of railroad
| from Chicago 10 the Ohio river, upon q different
line, and to terminate at different point than the
one provided for in the charter given to the Cairo
| City and Canal Company Mr. Holbrook then dis
covered that, unless he executed valid release of
all his chs rtered rights and all claims to land,
other privileges, under the legislation of Illinois
| in relation to the railroad, the lands would be
granted on different line, and terminate at another
point of the Ohio river, which would render the
town site of Cairo, as well as his railroad char
TO terms. He imme diately called meeting of the
stockholders Of the Cairo City and Canal Com.
pany, OF New York. on the 9th of December last,
and had resolution passed TO execute another re.
lease, which was accordingly done in due form,
| copy of which, marked ID, is hereunto annexed.
Immediately on this re lease beng furnished 10
Judge Douglass he introduced his bill for the grant
| of lands, which has passed both houses of Con-
gress and lecsme law. II is known under the
title Of the "Chicago and Mobile Railroad grant"
| But for the execution of the release by Mr.. Hol-
brook, and the surrender of ali CLAIMS TO any rail-
road charter, or rights and privileges, under any
act OF the Illinois Legislature the subject, the
grant OF land would never have been MADE by Con-
gress. Thus, II appears, that Mr.. Holbrook has no
charter for railroad n Illinois, and no claims To
|
State of Illinois refuses to accept the release or
makes new grant to d. b. Hobrook, which, I'm
less its members are crazy, il is not likely TO do.
/ have deemed II necessary 10 make this exposi-
ton of the facts in the case, in order that capital
lists, in New York, and elsewhere, may not labor
under erroneous impressions in regard 10 SO i'm
portant matter affecting alike the honor of the
State Of Illinois, and that Of Congress
| An ILLINOIS BoNDHoLpER.
NKw YosK, Dec. Is, 1919.
HIS ExoELLEycY AUGUSTUS c. FRENCH ere +
SIR;-tor the purpose of arrestng error, and
conflict OF public OPINION in relation 10 the charter
| OF the Great and Western Railway Company, from
Cairo TO Chicago, take the liberty of enclosing a
release on behalf of the Cairo CITY and Canal Com
| pany (to whom the charter was given), through
| you, TO the State Of illinois, duplicate Of which
| have also executed this day, and forwarded to
the Hon. s. A. Douglas, that his mind may be re-
| heved from any Misrepresentation TO the inten-
ton and policy Of the Cairo City and Canal Com
Pany, and that his powerful influence may not be
withheld IN sustaining and advancing this para
| Of which should command (as II does nv oval
The honest and patriotic efforts of every citizen Of
| our great State.
>. have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
| Excellency's most obedient,
(Signed), ID. b. HoLBRooK.
tB-Copy
| To WHOM 1T MAY coNCERN;-
As President of the Cairo City and Canal Com
pany, and On behalf of the share holders of said
company, i hereby agree that in case Congress
SHALL at ITS present session, donate 10 the State Of
illinois, or give pre-empon TO lands for purposes
| OF aiding in the construction of a railroad from
| Cairo TO Chicago, that the said Cairo City and
| Canal Company shall and will authorize the
Governor OF Illinois 20 offer said lands TO the bond
holders OF the State debt, on condition that said
bondhClders will agree 10 receive said lands, and
make the proposed railroad, from Cairo to Chicago,
| on such terms as the Governor Of the State shall
/ prescribe and deem OF more benefit TO the State
than IS secured to the State under the terms pro-
| posed by tbs charter Of the Great Western Rail-
| road Company. And the said Cairo City and
Canal Company, when required by the Governor
shall aud will release and give up 10 the State the
| charter of the said Railroad Company, requiring
| only from the Governor assurances that the rail-
road shall be msde from Cairo 10 Chic Bgo in the
time required by the charter Of the Great Western
| Railroad Comgany.
| In witness whereof have hereunto affixed the
corporate seal OF the Cairo City and Canal Com
| pany. Dated al New York, the 18th Of December
lsi9, and done in Duplicate. (Signed),
| President Of G. C. and C. Co (Seal)
| Witnessed by Elm TOWNSEND
| Cas-. DAVIS.
II the foregoing instrument should NOT be deemed
| legally binding upon the Cairo City and Canal
| Company, any other which may be made under
the direction Of the Governor OF Illinois will be
| executed, when submitted 10 me. (Sigued),
ID. Il. HoIuEooK, President OF e. Q. x &. 90.
re CoHY
WASHINGTON, Dec. "a, 1919.
DEAR SIR II have been requested by the Hon.
John A Rockwell, OF Conn, ION behalf Of the Cairo
| City and Canal Company, TO forward to you the
enclosed paper, being release Co the State of Hi.
nois by said company, Of the charter Of the Great
Western and Central Railroad Companies, and all
acts and parts Of acts supplemental or amendatory