The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-03-31
MEMPHIS AND Ell PAsO RAILROAD
COMPANY tFREMOHT'B.)

The persistent efforts that arc being made
by the manipulators Of what was once the
memphis and FL Paso Railroad Company"
revive their old charter in Texas, given thom
by that State In 1854, we believe, and which
has been forfeited, as expressly declared by
the recent convention In TENS, astonish
every one acquainted with the facts relating
to this old defunct concern.
The activity displayed aud tho endless
button-holing Of Senators, day amer day, arc
worthy Of better cause,
These men declare they have charter for a
road TO FL Paso through Texas; but Texas,
last summer, by her convention assembled
at Austin, declared by resolution that the
charter of the Memphis, FL Paso and Pacific
Railroad Company was forfeited, for the
reason that the company had never fulfilled
the conditions of the charter.
Tho company Itself admitted that Its char.
ter was forfeited by having resolution In
troduced in the same convention last winter
by Mr.. Armstrong, from Lamar county, ask
ing that the last eight or nine years might
not be counted against II In computing the
time within which the company was required
to perform certain acts 10 make good Its
charter.
The company now claims 10 he the owner
of eight and one third millions Of acres Of
land along the proposed line Of It's road, as
named in said forfeited charter; and that too
in the face Of the first resolution referred to
as having passed said convention last sum
mer, which declares that said lands are
open TO settlement. Tho Hon. J. W. Flana-
gan, chairman of the Committee on Internal
Improvements of said convention, and the
Hon. y. Patteu, u member OF said commit
tee, both of whom are now In this city, In
communication few days ago in response
to an inquiry on this subject, say: 1.-THE con.
vcntion, from all the facts OF the case, came
to the conclusion that the said company had
neither legal nor equitable claims to relisf;
and thus they acted, by declaring all the said
lands opcH TO settlers, and subject TO location
Ivy any and all valid certificates"
Mr.. Flanagan further states In said COM
munication, he being the writer and Mr..
Patton concurring, as follows "My under
standing is, from a full investigation Of tue
whole subject before the Committee on In
ternal Improvements, Of which was chair
man, and the action Of the convention, mat
this company has no status in N: STATE Of
TSrds."
Their charter being now forfeited under
tho law of Texas, they seek to reripe 1t by
this most extraordinary resolution. Texas,
as We have seen, declares II forfeited, and
tho lands thrown open to location and settle
ment. II this resolution pass, Congress will
occupy the strange position Of declaring that
1t Is not forfeited thereby antagonizing the
action Of the State that granted the charter,
and which understands ne facts. By passing
this resolution it undertakes to defend the
company against all the settlers who have
located on these lands; and It Is known that
nine tenths of them are occupied already.
The resolution says: "this road Is hereby
declared to be a military aud post road 3"
through the State.
These men, then, to obtain this revival Of
their charter after 1t has slept for ffteen
years, apparently ask only for the right of
way beyond FL PaSo. Truly, a sharp game.
The resolution was whipt through the House
few days ago, under the previous question,
without ever having been referred to a COM
mittse for examination, and certain gentle
men are now moving heaven and earth to
pass 1t through the Senate in the same ray,
all Of Its friends in that body being opposed
TO It's reference to a committee for an exam
inatlon of the grdre le0d! questions Il involp,s.
We are surprised that Senator Morton, of
Indiana, who is urging this resolution In the
Senate, should occupy such position. But
we feel positive 1t is because he does not un.
dcrstand the facts. We arc satisfied he dc.
sires justice for all parties; then lot him
have this cuuulngly devised scheme referred
TO a committee.