The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1871-05-27

I Jurisdiction, vOuchsafed to il by the So
preme law Of the land, then the guaran
tee might be worth something. But it
can't do II. aud the Cineinnatieorporators
. knew IL. But says the friends Of the
charter, eff the company violates any of
its obligations or promises, it shall ope
rate as forfeiture Of the rights, priv
leges and immunities granted" The
rights, etc., granted BY the act are the
power to acquire land for their track.
(by condemnation depots, and every ap
pendage necessary to the successful
building and running Of their road. The
necessity for such rights, etc" cease on
the completion of the road, and the
forfeiture" therefore amounts to Moth
ing. The Trustees having acquired the
rightofway, with the deeds to the ground,
etc.. 10 their pocket, would indeed thank
the State to declare the charter forfeit
ed, because they would thereby be freed
from any reciprocal obligation.
/ An Investigation pursuades rs, that
the much talked of safe guards and re
strictions said to be provided in the char
ter, when tested, are not there.
| The State of Kentucky is denied
voice iu the road, and her people are
denied the privilege of becoming stock
holders. The whole management is
lodged in these five trustees, who repre-
sent the City Council of Cincinnati. 10
the language of the Hon. james B. Beck,
who though an ardent friend of the road.
characterized the charter as San act to
extend the corporate limits of the City of
Cincinnati through the State of Ken
lucky" The opponents of the charter
in our last Legislature, offered through
the Hon. ASh.ou p. Harcourt. in order
TO encourage the building of this Cinein
natl road. TO permit the Trustees to select
their cboiee from all the charters ever
granted by Kentucky, and the Legis
lature would duplicate it for their benefit
This was fair, and all that should have
been asked Our understanding is they
declined such charter, and would have
none. except such as contained the ex-
elusive privileges to Cincinnati.
The charter asked for winter before !
last. provided that Kentucky should have
an equal number of Directors with Gin
cinuati and an equal voice in the control
and management Of the road, but that
of the past winter contains no such pro
visions. Our representatives. the Hon
Geo. W Silvertooth, aud Mr.. Corbett, of
Ballard, voted against the charter winter
before last, when this safeguard for Ken
lucky was contained, aud yet the past
winter when it was left out, voted in
favor oft. We doubt not they are pro
vided with sufficient reasons for the
change. aud will when called upon pre-
sent their reasons to the people. We
shall cheerfully yield either of them
space for explanation.
Another point, which We think justi-
fes those representatives who opposed
the charter:
The Legislature of Kentucky has no
power or right to authorize the condem-
nation of private property. ercept for pub
Tic use Now, since the road is to be ex
clusively owned, managed and control
led by these FIVE trustees, can Kentucky
riehtfully condemn the private property
of her own citizens under the pretense
of 'sfor public use" We doubt if the
Legislature has the right.
We hold it to be sound principle of
Legislation, for our representatives SO far
as it is in their power. within the bounds
of equity and justice, to encourage home
capitalists and home corporations in pre-
ference to foreign capitalists and foreign
corporations. To illustrate, the city of
Louisville actually pays near one third
Of our entire State revenue Is it wise
legislation on the part of Kentucky to
vest exclusive privilege in foreign cor
poration, the effect of which will be to
destroy or diminish this rich source of
revenue; or should it not, by all fair and
legitimate means. foster and encourage it?
The building of the proposed line is,
no doubt, greatly desired By the Ken
lucky counties through which it passes,
and We trust the day is not far distant,
when company devoted to their inter
est will be organized to build it. We
believe the design of the present corpo
rators is solely to enrich themselves, and
secondly, to build up Ciucipnati.
We think the granting of the charter
would be dangerous precedent. and
would work great mischief to the State.
1t is entirely proper for the people to
know the sentiment of candldatea fer the
Legislature on this proposition. It is
of no political significance. but of vast |
material interest. However, the Radical
party, IN their State Convention, which /
met on the 18th instant, incorporated in
their platform, resolution favoring the |
charter This means nothing. and is
intended for nothing, except to catch
fey dissatisfied voters in Central Ken
lucky. Nevertheless, it may serve to
remind those friends who favor the char
ter, OF their pleasant association.
We have written enough now, but may
refer to the question again, if necessary
TEE SPEAKING AT Rock SPRIEGs.-l
In this issue correspondent from Rock