Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-01-21
REMARKS OF MR.. HEBB,
OF Lincoln, on the Omnibus Bill, ia the House
of Representatives, January 10th, 1854.

OF Lincoln on the Omnibus Bill - ia the House
of Representatives, January 10TH 1854.
Mr. Speaker-It is matter Of surprise to me,
Sir that norailroad can be projected in East Tennes
see that does not meet with opposition from the
representatives from the immediate vicinity of
Knoxville, unless it has its terminus in that city
With what show of justice can this opposition be
made? Let us for moment turn to the record and
examine the facts and figures there presented The
city of Knoxville has had already in direct appro-
prations for two roads the enormous sum Of one
million one hundred thousand dollars 81 100000
besides State aid to the same two roads for Iron,
&C. at eight thousand dollars per mile, amounting
in all to the sum OF one million six hundred thous-
and dollars 6 ,600000) In addition to this there
is the Danve railroad terminating at Knoxville,
which has State aid to the amount of four hundred
and and eighty thousand dollars (s4S0,000) Is
this is not great injustice TO those portions of the
State which have never raised one dollar to aid
them in works of Internal Improvements?
Sir, it was not my intention at this time to make
a speech on the bill now under consideration, but
the gentleman from Blount Gen. Wallace having
advocated a system, which, in my Judgment, is
detrimental to the best interest Of the State and
which, fadopted will lead to bankruptcy and ruin. |
feel that | would be false to myself to my consttu-
ents and to the State, if remained silent. l will
not follow the example set me by some members
of this General Assembly. Some gentlemen seem
to think it entirely consistent and proper for them
to do all they to advance the interest Of bill
which they know does not meet the appreciation of
those they represent and when they see the bill
will pass without their votes, in order TO avoid the
curses of an outraged constituency they simply
cast their votes against it, after having done more
than any other member to secure its passage. Ny
actions and my votes. Sir, as long as | have the
honor of a seat upon this floor shall be consistent
with each other. Intend TO be guilty of no double
dealing. Having promised my constituents not
only to vote against all eXtrayagant expenditure
of the public money, but to talk against it, | am
here to redeem that pledge although feel great
reluctance, and it may appear presuming in me to
attempt to speak after so many eloquent and able
speeches have been made.
am well aware, Sir, that have no influence in
the House on this subject. All influence on the
question has passed into the hands of Hucksers
and dealers in State Bonds, coalition to extract
every dollar from the public Treasury for their own
use and the use Of few counties. The outside in
fuence of LOBBY MEMBERS is greater, l am sorry to
say, than all the members this floor. Sir, it ap-
pears to me that gentlemen holding seats on this
floor would show more modesly If they would
be satisfied with the liberal appropriations already
made to roads by the General Assembly of the
State. But it appears the more you give the more
they want / see that the counties to which ap-
preparations have heretofore been made for rail-
The cry is qiUe give This cry will never be hush
ell as long as there is one dollar in the treasury.
Sir. has this Legisature-has the country learned
nothing from the fact? Shall its reasoning be I'M
needed? If we would look back at those disas-
trous times-to 1898 and lS39-and be admoniShed
by the record presented would pause in
wild, reckless extravaganza. Large appropriations
were then made to all portions of the State of rail
road turnpike, and river navigation purposes
What benefit did the people derive thereirom? -
What revenue has the State received from these
sources? The Legislature of '35-6 appropriated for
railroads the sum of eight hundred and twenty-five
thousand dollars (SS25 00O) Six hundred and
fifty thousand dollars (S650,000) Of which went to
the East Tennessee, Hiwassee Railroad and one
hundred and seventy-fVe thousand dollars (Sl75,-
O0O) to the West Tennessee and Lagrange Railroad,
from which investment the State has never receiv-
ed one dollar. The State has pad on this invest
ment in interest the sum OF eight hundred and
thirty thousand dollars, in principle and interest
amounting to the enormous sum Of onemillOn seven
hundred thousand dollars n, 100000 You might
as well have thrown this amount into Cumberland
river because not dime has been paid back This
is one railroad experience. Now let us for
meut examine our turnpike investments We have
expended by the State on turnpikes the sum of one
million two hundred Thousand dollars Isl, 200 OOO)
Twenty-Five roads received their proportion OF
this aid By referring to the Comptrollers report
it will be seen that only twelve pay anything at all
showing complete loss of the amount invested IN
ten roads We have spent IN attempting TO I'M
prove the navigation of water courses IN this State
which the God of nature never intended should be
navgabe, the sum of two hundred thousand dol
lars (S2OO,O0O) from which we have received no
return, and bill was actually introduced into
inns House repeating the act declaring one Of
the rivers navgable, in the Improvement of which
!ne o'aIe mad made large investment. This IS our
internal Improvement experience viii we refuse
TO be guided bylt! Why not wait few years.
until We see what is to be the effect of the appro-
priations made by the last Legislature amounting to
about ten millions OF dollars. The time will come
when the acts Of this General Assembly 0ike !
Banquos Ghost will rise in judgment against
the members who vote for these extravagant ap-
preparations Reflection viii then be too late |
Repentance will not wash the stain away. We |
may say "out damned spot, but it will not out /
Sir, if the bill now before the House passes, the |