The true Democrat., 1854-12-13
Railroad Grants of Land-The Cai- TO and Fulton Railroad and Others

Railroad Grants of Land-The Cai- TO and Fulton Railroad and Others
 As this subject is now becoming painfully interesting we shall endeavor to throw some light upon it, by referring to the action in siml- lar cases of other States, where grants were ob- tained under provisions dentically the same as those contained in the Cairo and Fulton grant,
 Sept. 2Oth, 1850, Congress granted alternate sections of the public lands to the States of H. linois Mississippi and Alabama, in ald of the construction of a road from Chicago to Mo- bile.
 | Illinois having about the year 1886 or 37 en- tered upon system of internal improvement and created large debt, became insolvent, and subsequently, amended her constitution so as to prohibit the State authorities from pledging the faith of the State in such works. She had spent upon the Illinois Central railroad, in right of way, depots, grading, etc., upwards of 1000, GOO of dollars. After obtaining the grant of land, above noticed, she abandoned the project as State work, granted charter to new con- pany and transferred to it. all the work she had done, the right of way she had purchased, and the grant of lands, only requiring the company to deposit in her Treasury, as a security that 50 miles of the road be completed, the sum of 2 or 100000 dollars, which was to be returned when completed Thus it will be seen that the grant of lands and two millions of dollars worth of actual property besides, were acquired at no other expense to the company than the loss of the interest on the deposit for a few years.
 Alabama granted her lands to build the DOT ton of the road through her limits with no other conditions than those contained in the act of Congress. Here is the law
 AN ACT accepting the donation of land, made by
 the Congress of the United States aid in the con
 tructon of a Railroad from the city of Mobile to
 the mouth of the Ohio river.
 SECTION l. Beit enacted 6y te Senate and House 0t Representatives ct the g0te Q Alabaneo Sn General Assembly coarened That the lands within this State which, under the said act of Congress have been or may be hereafter entered in conformity with its pr visions shall vest in full and complete title i'll the
 Mobile and Ohio railroad company for the purposes set forth i'll said act of Congress, the said company shall execute and deliver to the Governor of the State. sufficient bond faithfully to use the said lands for the purposes of it's donation and abide by and perform the provisions and conditions in the said act contained.
 Approved, Dec. 1st, lS5l
 Under this act of the State the road is now progressing rapidly through Alabama-under any other restrictions than those proposed in the act of Congress, the work would have been a failure-an utter failure for the want of in- ducements for capitalists to embark in it.
 In Mississippi the grant was conferred upon the company in the same manner as in Alaba- ma, only requiring the company to reimburse the State for the expense incurred by her in selecting the lands. Mississippi has also by law exempted all railroads from taxation.
 Thus have been granted the lands given these States. The restrictions and burdens imposed by Congress have been considered sufficient to protect the interests of the general government and of the respective States. And the actions of these States have worked well-the result is, the rapid progress of the works in conse- quence of the willing aid rendered by men who possess capital and wish to invest it pro- ftably
 Many here are anxious to tie up the Cairo and Fulton Railroad with restrictions that will render this the most munifcent grant ever made by Congress, utterly worthless, by deter ing capital from seeking an investment in the roads projected by it. In the wilderness that Arkansas presents to the traveller as he passes through it, there are few inducements besides this grant of land and the natural products yet undeveloped, to invite monied men to expend their means in our midst We must be liberal If Mississippi, Alabama and Illinois were con- pelled to be liberal, how much more necessity is there for liberal action upon the part of Arkan- sas!
 We hope no one will cherish the vain delu- sion that this grant of lands alone, and that too under the most exactng conditions will build our roads. It will not-it is impossible
 Let all all reflect maturely. Upon the Cairo and Fulton grant of lands now hangs all the hopes of Arllansas-if by our divisions, ieal- ousies and personal animosities we destroy this hope, posterty, if not the present generation, will subject us. .and our memories to a severe but justly merited condemnation.