The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-01-14

contract 10 prevent the State from passing
this bill. Whether we shall pass the bill or
not is question of policy. There is rail-
road from New York city to Albany, under
Canals and railroads can exist
side by side He could not understand why
Senators would vote against this bill, when
they would vote for railroads from Indlanap-
oils to Cincinnati, and from Indianapolis TO
the Ohio river below the falls OF the ONO.
When a railroad is to be built through their
own counties. senators looked upon questions
of this kind as questions of policy; but when
it was to be built elsewhere they talk about
vested rights and the violation OF faith.
don't believe at this time, nor at any other
time, that we are to hold ourselves tied up
by our contract with the bond holders. II we
believe it for the interest of the citizens OF this
State that there should be a railroad built
from Terre Haute to Evansville, then 1T is
our duty to grant charter for such road.
Mr.. Rosseau said he was not surprised to
see the senator from Knox (Mr. Ellis,) in ia
vor of this bill. That Senator had from the
beginning opposed the canal and everything
connected with it, and he did not expect that
opposition to cease now, when Vincennes and
Knox county were interested against the ca
nal and in favor of the railroad. But that
senator's arguments are suicidal. At one
time he tells US that the railroad and the ca
nal are not MISUNDERSTANDING the business
of the canal will be greatly increased by the
construction OF the road at another, that the
mode of travelling by canal is old and obso>
lete, and ought to give way for one more ex-
| peditious. Now both of these positions could
not be true. The truth is that a railroad run
ming along a canal would take away all the
business from it. The canal would get moth
| ing to do-this is that Senator's opinion, for
| he says that the mode of travelling is old and
obsolete, and would not be used if we had
good railrc ad. This is true in part-to this
extent that the canal would not be used when
a railroad was convenient. The senator from
Harrison Mr.. Porter.) arraigns me for say
ing that my constituents were opposed to this
railroad and that, for that reason. I would
oppose it, says that it is but a selfish reason at
best. Well, that may be, but the senator
will not say that is the only reason | gave
for my opposition. But if it were all the
reason had, it would be sufficient one for
me unless the interests of the State required
me to do otherwise. That measure con-
fiicts with the interests Of those represents
ALWAYS reason enough for me and will always
command my opposition to it. 1t is my bus
mess here TO represent the wishes of my con-
stituents and knowing their wishes as now
do, nothing that that senator can say about
selfishness, will cause the slightest hesitation
on my part in carrying them out to the full
est eXtent-and when | cease to do this
when cease to speak the voice of those who
sent me here, l shall prove recreant to the
most sacred OF all trusts, a thing | know
shall never do if know it. This canal had
been, when we sought to get clear of it, rep
Presented to be a great work. and a profitable
Investment. As such our bond holders have
1 believed ton the faith of these representa-
i tioEs they have taken it. and relied upon it for
reimbursement of over eight millions of
dollars. Was it good faith in us now to les
en- these means? 1.-THE State he'd kept this
canal would she have permitted now the con-
struction of this railroad? 1t is believed she
would not. Then honesty requires US to pro-
| tect the interests of those to whom we have
transferred the canal, as if 1t were our own.
But he would not detain the Senate longer
! he hoped theabll would not become law.
| Mr.. Ellis said the Senator from Washing
ton, (Mr, Morrison asked if the State own
I'd the canal, what would the State do. She
w0dld do what she did while she owned the
canal, when she granted charter for rail-
road from Terre Haute to Evansville. The
questions Of vested rights and Of violation Of
faith have, in other States, been considered
| not only by the Legislature, but by their
courts, and the question has been settled that
there are no such vested rights, by implication
as is contended for by Senators on this floor,
Railroads cannot supercede canals in the
transportation of heavy freights.
Mr.. Graham said he was member of the
Legislature in 1885, when the State granted
charer for a railroad from Terre Haute
| to Evansville. He voted against that bill as
he intended to against this. The granting
this charter would be a violation of the good
faith Of the State. If the work should be
abandoned by the bond-holders, the unsold
lands would revert to the United States,
unless the State should complete the workF
| and the State would receive no benefit from
those lands.
The ayes and noes having been called the
bill did not passages Is, noes 25.
The Senate adjourned.