The national Republican., 1869-01-05

Warrington seems all Al once 10 nave eN-
cited the fears OF the managers Of all the rail
roads running within hundred miles Of the
capital, and they have formed grand comb.
nation, and issued a high-sounIing circular,
intended to teach Congress what its powers
are in relation to railroad projects generally.
This circular letter is as follows:
PHILADELPHIA, Dec %, 1865
SIR: Two bills (Senate bills 55I Aad Bsl) are
now pending before the Senate OF the United
States, each Of which Incorporates several
companies, and authorizes them to build rail.
roads, seven In all, radIsting from Washing.
ton and extending over seven or eight different
states. These bills confer very great powers,
and impose few restrictions. For example
one of them authorizes the construction OF
n road to any point on any railroad 10 Wiz
II Is well understood that this Is but an en-.
tering wedge TO system OF railroad legisla.
tion BY Congress, intended to extend over
Believing that such Congregational legisla
tion will be destructive Of existing railroad
interests, promote wild and dishonest specula-
tion, and be highly demoralizing In its innu-
ence, we call your special and immediate at.
tentiOn to It..
bills-some Of them officers of existing rail.
roads-have never been consulted. This has
given the impression that influential men and
companies favor this legislation, who, IN fact,
are strongly opposed to II.
Under the impression that no such bill can
pass, railroad companies, generally, have not
v,
however, say that the danger Is great and i'm
minent, and that 1t calls for immediate and
vigorous eSertions on the part OF existing
railroad officers to avert it.
Should this matter appear to you as 1t does
TO U.s. we suggest that you use your influence
the Senate, to defeat all such measures
J. EDGAR THOMSON,
President Pennsylvanis Railroad Company.
GEORGE. W. CAss,
President Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago
hallway.
T, L. JEwErT,
PTesinent Pittsburg Cincinnati and st. Louis
ISAAC HINCKLEY,
President Philadelphia, Wilmington aud Bal.
umoFe Railroad
President Philadelphia and Reading Railroad
AsTBEL WEIGH
General President Of United Companies Of
President New Jersey Railroad and Trans.
poFtatioh Company II o,n
President Camden and Amboy RAILROAD and
Transportation Company.
1t will be reeolIected that at the citizens
meetings held at the City Hall the question oi
the power OF Congress to build railroads
through the States was elaborstely discussed,
and some Of the best lawyers 10 the country,
among them Hon. Robert J. Walker, Hon. +.
p. stanton, Judge J. W. Wright and others
were clearly OF the opinion that 1t did possess
the power under the Constitution, the rail
road presidents abOve.named to the contrary
Notwithstanding. Our citizens are now fully
aroused to the necessity Of additional rail.
road facilities, and will make Au effort to In.
duce Congress to aid in obtaining them
We are Inclined to think that Congress ap.
preciateS The necessity as we'll as our citizens,
and that they wlll consult the general inter.
ests OF the national capital, and give US such
legislation AS VIII Insure the construction Of
the railroads Our business men, We upine,
need have no appreheuslo, i. pl the rrtlroAd
presidents exercising such an inAueace over
Congress as will prevent them from acting for
the best Interests Of our people In this im.
pOTtant matter.