The true Democrat., 1856-01-01

to entangle the grant and tie it up, so that it could not be used for any good purpose.
 l Failing to break down the grant as well as to defeat a survey of the route of the main line, they set about pretending to survey a route for branch of the main trunk, from Hopefeld, opposite Memphis, to Little Rock This how ever they failed to do, mere pretence, that they might the better cover up their designs, to coalesce with such parties as they could at the incoming of our last legislature, make auxiliary to paving the way for the introduce tion of such laws into that body, as if passed, would obstruct the adjustment of the land grant by the general land office or tie it up, so as to prevent its use, sale, or improvement du- ring the present generation, and in that mode break down. and prevent the construction of the main stem, while their swamp lands would constitute the main body of land upon the market for sale. Soon after the assembling of our last legislature in November, 1854, de- legation paid by Memphis, as their newspa- pers stated, came here to represent that city the M. & L. R. R. Co. and their swamp land interests and among the number we find the names of Daniel B. Turner, J. Knox Walker, George D. Prentice, the president and secreta- ry of the company. Some of this delegation remained here nearly the whole session, in dai- ly attendance upon the legislature, endeavor- ing to induce the enactment of laws that right fully considered, are monstrous and impractical 1 blo in oc th or foot fair and for fraduent purposes. They now praised the land grant, and extoed it's great value, the same which they and their newspaper organs had previously declared worthless, and never ought to have been made; representing at the same time that they would build the Mississippi branch in two years, and guarantee it by a deposite of money in the State treasury, if the legislature would fix the terminis opposite to Memphis, and grant the public lands on its line to the "Memphis and Little Rock railroad company" Meanwhile re- port of the survey of that road, by the chief en- gineer of the company was printed in pamphlet form. In Nov., 1854, the Presidents report upon the affairs of the company was also printed, stating that the whole line of that road was surveyed and under contract with responsible parties, reviewing, and approving the chief en- glneer's report. These two reports were laid before the legislature, together with a map cer- thed under the seal of the company, upon which the line of that road, as represented to have been surveyed, was laid down, and claim | cd hv tho tr bo which they desired to build the road. All of which was deceptive and untrue, but the legis. lature believing the statements to be correct adopted said reported survey, and declared it to be the line or route for that branch. and granted the lands applicable to it. to that con- pany.
 | In March following two months after the legislature adjourned MT. John H. Bradley came here, arrogantly representing himself as the principal contractor to build that branch and the chief manager of the company, and acting as its principal fnancier, stating at the same time, that the chief engineer of the road and the secretary of the company, were his partners in the contract, which the board of directors had approved, that George D. Prentice, of Louisville, was also interested in the contract, subsequently, confirmed by his letters, publish : ed in the Little Rock Gazette, therein claiming Tn substance, to be the exponant of public opin- ion here, and that all our citizens were Bradley men but one. Stating further, that the contrac- tors had enlisted his, Prentce's services and plVen him in thn +Io, desired his aid in matters connected with Its execution, away from the work, in placing the company and them rghtfuly before the world, and to aid them especially in their financial affairs referring to Judge English and Judge Watkins as colorable pretext, that they were his co -adjutors, which they doubtless would have disavowed at the time, if their at tentlon had been called to it. How faithfully Mr. Prentice performed his part of the contract, will be seen by the ingenious misrepresentation, which he published in his own journal last spring, so we'll calculated, if credited, to mis- lead and impose upon capitalists "away from tue work," admitting at the same time. what every body previously knew, that the road had never been surveyed. Every practical railroad man will tell you and tell you truly, that whenever such or like influences are associat ed in contract it is nothing better than an artful contrvance to put the power and control of the administrative affairs of the company into the hands of the contractors, doubling a fair estimated cost of the road, besides leaving hn ha1f tho
 can have, that the road will break down, at some stage of its progress, leaving floating debt against the company, that will in nine cases out of ten, sweep away and render valu less every share of paid stock, while its exam pie, and influence, will greatly retard the pro- gross of all other internal improvements in the State, however meritorious they may be- The Ohio and Mississippi railroad, was commenced and carried on upon plan nearly identical with this, now unfinished and broken down, costing double the contract price, with A miles not yet graded, and its stock selling at $5 OOper share The western division of this road, which cost about $6,OOO,OOO, was sold at auction on the 18th inst, under deed of trust, for $1OOOO. Thus sweeping away the St. Louis city and county stock subscriptions of $70OOOO. Such are some of the fruits of giving the control of railroad company to the contractors and en- gneer
 Dozens of parallel cases could be cited, if need be to sustain my positions. Schuyler, you may remember, got himself elected president of the New York and New Haven railroad company, took the contract to build the road and furnish his own engeneering the same as in the Mem phis contract. The result is too notorious to need any remarks from me.
 By way of spacious argument and to al- lure you intothe belief that he (Bradley) consti- tuted the very embodiment of railroad science and practical knowledge in such works, and to &b All