The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1852-02-13
LErrER FROM MAJ. STEPHENS,

LETTER FROM MAI. STEPHENS.
BY request Of some OF our friends Of Mon
roe. we publish the following communica-
tion from Maj. Stephens. on the subject Of
changing the route of the East Tennessee
and Georgia Railroads
NASHVILLE, Jan. 10, 1852.
GENrLEMEN:-Your letter OF the 2ith
December, has been received and 10 now
before me. You request me TO take somes
steps 10 effect change ~ the location OF
the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad
from Athens to Knoxville. so that the same
NAV pass Madsonville and MaryvlIe.
The questions you submit TO me IN your
communication are Of great importance and
are worthy OF mature consideration. 1ou
state ia your letter that. "What we wish
/ is, that you 50 shape your Legislation on
the subject as to effect our object, so lar as
its efiectualon depends on Legislative ac'
iion," and you further remark that "what
will be necessary you Cd will readily per.
ceive." You must allow me to cay that |
cannot "readiIy perceive" how the location
of that road eau, at this time, be changed
by any Legislative action" without the
consent of the Stockholders. SO as TO take
the course and pass the points you nave
indicated. The legal or constitutional
question involved in your proposition you
failed to discuss, and It seems mol TO have
been noticed.
The Legislature has not in my opinion
the right to pass law requiring the East
Tennessee and Georgia Railroad Compa-
ny TO locate the road SO as 10 pass Madi-
sonvllle and Maryvlle, without the consent
of the Stockholders; and such law In my
judgment would be an Infringement Of the
vested rights of the Company, and eonse'
quenly unconstitutional and wholly void.
will here remark that the charter oil the
road could be so amended as 10 make
pass Madisonyille, &C., II il should be des
slrable to do so by the Company. but do
not unde rstand you TO ask Tor such amend
ment You ask for such a modification OF
the Junction Railroad Charter as will pass
the road by MadisonvIlle, Maryville, &c.
This would in all probability be practicable.
so far as obtaining the charter with :hat pro
vision in II is concerned, but the question
seems 10 me TO be what good could result
from it in the event that the old company
should avail themselves of the aid which
will be granted by the Stale aud finish the
road under the old charter. And if the pre-
sent company should norhccepi the aid Of
fersd by the State. your plan is still pracil-
cable If the necessary amount ef money
can be raised to build the road. On this
point permit me TO make the following re-
marks. Suppose the roadyou contemplate
should leave the present location eight
miles from Madisonvllle. it would then be
twenty eight miles to Maryyile. making
distance Of about thirty six miles, which
will cost for grading, timber and track lay.
ing, &c., about S28S, 000--then- add the
Bridge over Tennessee river and you have
the snm Of 1868 900, This is estimating the
cost OF the bridge at $4,000, and it will
cost one hundred thousand. Now to com
pleie the road to Maryville you will have
10 raise this sum of money from the citi'
zens of Monroe and Blount counties, IN I'D.
dlticn 10 the amount granted by the Stale
ID Bonds. We have now the sum Of three
hundred and sky three thousand S363, 600
Then add the bridge over HoIston, $4,000
Sixteen miles from Maryvills TO
Knoxville. l2S,OCO