Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-12-08
For the Patriot.
Senate Bill, No. 81.

MEssRs EDITORS Permit me, through your
columns, to invite attention to a Bill, which has
already passed the Senate, entitled ga Bill for the
relief of the Memphis and Ohio Railroad COmpa-
ny" After the fair promises which made
last Summer by our Democratic friends, to oppose
any further increase of State liability, and to in
augurate the practice of economy in the public
penditurcs, it seems strange they should be found
willing, by single vote, increase the liability of
the State to the amount of three hundred houS and
dollars. That such will be the effect of the Bill,
if passed, a mere glance at the Acts of Assembly
will conclusvely show. The fact is plain and ObVi
Gus to all who will take the trouble to examine.
By reference to the Act of 1885, passed 10th of
November it will be seen that the bonds of the
State are granted to the amount of $4,000 (6fty
thousand doars) for bridging between Brownsville
and Trenton; also the aid of the State to the
mount of $40 600 per mile for the road between
Paris and the Tennessee river. The distance is
twenty miles, which, at the rate OF $4,000 per
mile, makes 5000 900 1.-TWO hundred thousand dol.
lars). But this amount lin all S25O,000)is granted
or secured by the State on the cypress condition
that the road is located by the way of Trenton.
The road IS not so iocated-the Company thought
the way of Trenton-and consequently the State is
not liable for the amount, or any part OF it. The
Bill before the Legislature, however, strikes out
tile condition, pTOVisO leaving, of course, the Ii
ability of the Stat fixed and absolute. Unless the
Bill passes the State IS not bound liable for the
$3.50, 900, because the very condition which it
is promised is not complied with-f it does pass
there arises of course absolute liability, because
! the provsO or condition is taken away. This is
! too obvious, certainly to admit of argument or
dispute and a vote therefore, to strike ont the com
dltiO1t or proyiSo is a vote to increase the liability
of the State to tue amount Of $3.50, 900. 1t IS in
creased to that amOunt-hou it is done matters
very little-whether by striking proviso or
condition, or in any other manner
But this is not all. BY reference to the Sth sec.
of the act pissed February 2lst. 1856, it will be
| seen also that aid TO the amount of $50 600 (6fty
thousand dOllarsl is given, NTH the prOvso that the
bonds of the State 'shall not issue until the road
ia graded from Trenton to the Carroll county line,
in the direction Of Paris" Now as the proposed
line Of the road by the way OF Trenton Is changed
AS the road never will be so graded-of course,
the State is not and never will be liable for the
$50 900, unless by an act of the Legislature, the
cypress pToUtSc or CONDITION on which the All IS to
be granted, is removed This the present Bill
does, by repeating that portion OF the act which
/ which requires the road TO be first graded from
Trenton to the Carroll line-thus making the
States liabilities absolute aud unconditional Then
how much does Senate Bill, No. 27, increase or
propose TO increase the indebtedness or liability Of
the Stat,S The plain answer is three hundred
thousand dollars. If any Senator or Representa-
tive doubts il, he need only refer to the acts to
which have adverted.
Il may be we'll enough to observe that there IS
nothing in any act compelling or requiring the com
pany to locate their road by the way of Trenton
They were free TO DO as they pleased-lhey did do
as they pleased-and rather than locate by Tren-
ton, they resisted law suit instituted for the very
purpose Of making th, N locate the road on the
line originally contemplated by the way OF Tren
ton. repeat they had a right to go where they
pleased, aud not choosing to 50 locate the road as
to secure the $500 coo, promised eonditiOnaly by
the State the question is. shall their pleasure
II will not say perverseness--be accommodated
At the cost Of the people, three hundred thousand
doIIarsP Besides. equality Is equity, and when
other roads have been made equal recipients Of the
public bounty, it vii be enough, az least for
| the Memphis and Ohio road TO complain.
A CITIZEN.