The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1868-10-22
AFull History Of Northern
Pacific Railroad.
Poor Andrews left without
Anything to Stand on.

Poor Andrews left without
Anything to Stand on.
HIS CHARGES VANISH INTO TIL,
AIR.
The Court House was crowded on las
Saturday evening to hear Maj. J. Z. Dough
ty and Hon. Ignatius Donnelly, the Re.
publican nominee for Congress. The
Court HOUSE was filed some time be.
fore the speaking commenced by very
large and intelligent audience, embracing
Il majority Of our most influential citizens,
as we'll as many from surrounding towns.
There were men present who had ,cal&ed
tscenty wtles for the sole purpose of hearing
Mr.. Donnelly. and they returned home to
work hard until election day for his sue
cess and that Of the ticket. Mr.. Donncl-
ly's appearance in the hall Was the signal
for enthusiastic and long continued ap-
plause.
Col. W. +. B. McIntire was called to
the Chair, and R. D. Bloonield was elect
ed secretary-both being soldiers of long
and honorable service. Maj. Doughty,
who was first introduced, briefly alluded
TO the overshadow,ng Importance of the
coming election, and impressed upon every
citizen the duty he owed to his country to
labor and vote for the success of Grant and
Colfax, that the fruits Of the war might not
De lost. His remarks were we'll received.
Mr.. Donnelly was next introduced, and
was greeted with the utmos' mantle stations
OF welcome and favor. He first spoke of
the Northern Pacific Railroad ard then on
National politics. In the following VIC give
the substance Of his remarks. Mr.. DON
nelly said:
1t is great pleasure for me at any time
to meet with the citizens of St. Cloud
During many years Of public life in this
State, many years, say, for one of my
time Of life, have never failed to receive
at the hands Of this people generous, kind
and cordial welcome; and had hoped, my
friends, that this meeting would have been
enlivenea by the presence Of Gen. Andrews.
am not here to say one uncourteous word
about him. He has preferred charges 50
grave and serious in their character gainst
me that l felt he owed it az duty to him
self, to his friends and TO all, to be here
this evening TO prove or ret,act them. l
regret his absence.
There is nothing in this world more con
Gucive to bring out truth than public dis
cussion. Both sides are heard, and oppor
tunities are offered to question and answer.
Gen. Andrews owed it to himself to be
here to sustain his charges against me. l
would ask your attention to these charges
made against me by Gen. Andrews, and if
any gentlemen present wish to present ar
Eumcnts or discuss them with me, they are
at liberty to do so. invite them to and
if they will not, is it not incumbent on them
to hold their peace hereafter?
Gen. Andrews first charge is that l have
been inimical to the interests of tile North
ern Pacific R. r Mr.. D. spoke Of the mag
nitude of the project, and of the great adj
vantages ii woald secure to the State by
bringing the wealth and commerce Of the
nations of the earth in this direction. When
you elected me to Congress there was no
Northern Pacific Railroad Company. 1t
had been the dream Of our people. Shields
and Rice and many others had labored and
spoken for it. The Union Pacific Railroad
had been consummated. We had given to
that road, and this great country had been
neglected.
When I went to Washington as your rep
resentative and was introduced to Colrax,
then Speaker Of the Horse, my first request
was that he would place me on tho Pacific
Railroad Committee. l state facts which
are susceptible of demonstration, and if
needed. will give the authorities and the
proof of my statements.
The Northern Pacific Railroad owed q
great deal in its conception 10 Mr.. Perham.
Of the State of Maine. He obtained char
ter from the State, but it was of little avail
serving only rs stepping stone. He call
ed on me We discussed the subject; talk
ed it oil over and the bill introduced in
Congress was drawn, perfected and amend
ell by us. 1t was presented by Thaddeus
Stevens. 1t went before the Committee on
Pacific Railroads, and was referl ed to me.
l took charge OF it, labored and perfected
it; got it from the committee then before
the House, and we failed to pass it by some
evenly votes. procured q list Of the op-
ponents; canvassed them thoroughly, anc
changed their minds in that We finally
passedit.
That great and true friend Of the road,
Thaddeus Stevens, held the bill in aid Of
the Union road in one hand. the Northern
road in ths other, and would not present
the former until The latter was passed and
out Of danger.
Mr.. Perham's idea was to sell stock
enough to build the road. He selected
agents in each State. Hon. Cyrus Aldrich
was one Of the agents here But the scheme
was failure. and brought forth no results.
He could not manage it against the capt.
tal;sts interested in tho Union road and
tie subsidy granted by Congress, AMI so
sold out to the present Company.
At the last session, out OF that Whole
House was selected by the friends of the
No! thern Pacific Railroad to introduce the
bill, defend it upon the floor and in Com
mi,tee, AID to stand, as it were, father to
it. Mr.. Donnelly explained at some lengt,
the great importance Of such selection,
Of the portnnities it gave a man for ut
terly crushing bill, and Of the parliament
tary advantages it secured for him in con-
neclion Herewith, and then continued: II
1 was unfriendiy 10 the Northern Pacific
Railroad, if WAS no. locked upon as being
true to 1t, beyond all doubt, auhy pas l thu.
selected out Of thut whole House for that in,
portant duty By tie Company They couIt