The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1871-06-02
STATE ROAD LEASE.


rangement, which has of late elici-
ted SO much newspaper controversy,
and brought into requisitiOn the
finest talent of Georgia for and
against the transaction During
the whole course of this controversy
outside Of any sinister motives, |
have, to the best Of my ability, en-
deavored to come to definite con-
clusion upon the subject, and after
mature deliberation, | am satisfied,
that but few men can be found
among the people of Georgia, who
are not ready to admit that the lease
as it now stands, has been the wisest
arrangement, which could have been
made, in securing the great interest
of the State, and placing into the
State Treasury larger amount OF
capital than could have been obtain
ed if the Road had remained as
heretofore. That the Company, who
have the control of the Road, are
fully prepared to meet, promptly,
the monthly demand of $25, 900, none
will deny; yet, with all the known
abilities and extraordinary financial
talent of the President of the Road,
there is at least some doubt upon
my mind whether the Company will
ever reap very enormous profits over
and above the actual necessary ex-
penses attached to the Road-while
upon the other hand, the people of
Georgia will reap the neat little sum,
annually, of Three Hundred Thou
sand Dollars, from a Company who
have been charged with fraud in OBJ
tanning the lease. If we investigate
all the facts associated with this sub
ject, it will be clearly seen beyond the
shadow of doubt, that not the peO-
pie, but tea0 interested parties are
engaged in tanning the flame, hoping
to have finger in the pie at some
future period. A fact, not unwor-
thy of recognition, may be obtained
from a correspondent OF the "Con-
stitution" under date of Louisville,
May 10, 1871:
III had no idea that the State Road
Lease attracted any attention or in.
terest outside of Georgia, but not so.
People are frequently asking ques-
tions concerning it, and appear to
feel considerably interested in it.
The late discussion in Augusta be-
tween Toombs and Stephens, who
were against it, and Judge King,
and others, who were for it, has
thrown some light upon the subject,
but not enough to give an insight
sufficient to base an opinion upon.
Those who know anything at all
about it, think it was fortunate
thing for the people that the road
was taken out of Bullock and Blod-
gett's hands. Some one said to me
the other day, that it would take
about two years of such management
to wipe the whole concern out of eX-
istence. 1t does look so from the
enormous debt it made in a few
months"
This shows conclusively, that peo-
pie in other States, view things in
their proper light, and are not form
ing their opinions to be controlled
by outside influences. | recolleet
distinctly reading Mr.. Toombs' re-
marks in the Convention of stock
holders of the Georgia Rail Road
against the State Road Lease and
while | admit the extraordinary
abilities of the gentleman in debate,
| am certain it was one of the fee |
blest efforts of his life--without |
"form or comeliness"--a mere It's
sue of abuse against "Joe Brown
aud Ben Hill" as he expressed him
self. Doubtless the same induce
ments offered to Mr.. Toombs, from
"Joe Brown and his Company |
would have made him pour out the
vials Of his wrath, with unmitigated /
fury upon the heads of the "Seago-
Blodgett" Company. Here, in a
"nut shell" the whole opposition |
of Mn Toombs.. may be seen; while
the opponents of the lease may be .
summed up in the "Seago-Blodgett
Company" headed and directed by
Toombs, as Attorney.
My purpose has been to state
facts. and expose the schemes which
are being made to prejudice the
people of Georgia, and poison the
minds of the members of the forth
coming Legislature against the les
ees of the Western & Atlantic Rail
Road. In conclusion, | submit to