The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-07-10
who Should Vote in Railroad
Eiections.

We are aware that there are some who
contend that in elections 10 determine
whether a county OF town should sub
scribe to build railroads, that men who
have no property and are not liable to
taxation should not vote. and that il
they do vote &c l. tyranny. We DO not
hold any such opinion, and we now
propose to give our reasons for che
opinions we hold. We contend that all
men who are voters have an interest I'm
common with all other citizens, wheth-
or they own one hundred, one thousand,
or one h1ndred thousand dollars worth
of property. It Is not the amount of
property that a man holds that identi-
ffes him with the country. The labor
er who works and creates wealth Is as
mucn identified with the country. Is as
much Interested Ina its prosperity. as the
man who holds million of dollars in
United states or Stale bonds. II the
ccuntry prospers he prospers, If the
country suffers he suffers. III prop
erty IS 10 be the test, then the man
who owns mseh property should have
morn votes than the man who only has a
little property, because he win have 10
pay more taxes, Now, 81 he has more
property on which O. be taxed, he has
more property 10 be henefitred and in
creased in value. Ii because a msn l.
poor he has no right 10 vote en- "A rail-
road subscription. because &c may I'M
volve taxation, what right has he by
the same method ct reasoning 90 eleCt
men who levy taxes 90 an.uniimitod eN-
tent. without asking the consent OF the
peoples
The argument ieads 90 she old doctrine
of properly qualification, 90 which we
are unchangeahly opposed whether in
railroad or rshcr elections.
The tact lhat q mam owns PROPERTY,
even II & iHa millions, does not author
ike him to gtte hnrieas on his neigh
bors, for his benefit, when they are not
benefited in proportion. We do not
believe any man, whether rich or poor,
has moral right to vote hnrlens on
the community, without corresponding
Oe even greater benefits. Ekis j. the
whole question. VIII this measure
benefit the community VIII &c bring
more advantages than 90 Viii incur lia-
bilities. III -. all should vote tor &c; III
not, none shoNld sustain e.. u Is not
question of property qualification, buta
question III beuelit 90 thc community.
Il 4 upon This Principle that public
rOads, bridge, etc, are sustained ny the
public. We believe, and are able 90
show. that railroads benefit the whole
community, every man iu proportion %
his property, and therefore We contcnd
that all should pay In proportion 20 the
dement's AlltN tNNElNNa tsr ltlI-l OF n
country being oppressed aud bankrupt
ed by the haiidiug al railroads or other
improvements, ts nrcpOsturous. and T.
contradlcte.i by evors DAYS experience.
II a min sh0uld spend sl 900 and in
crease the Value Of MS property $1,000,
would this Cypress or bankrGpl him ,
In the same way. &c Il county should
pay stuo,uto and increase IL property
thereby $4,000 500, would any man say
that he was oppnesseds IN only men
who took stock were benefited 81 rail-
roads, then private subscriptions might
dc, hul when men Who take no stock
often receive more benefits than those
who take stock, this l. unjust ana un-
fair. 81 county oF town subs. fiptions
All pay IN proportion 90 the bsneHt.
they receive. IL j. the fairest and mos,
equitable mode Of Subscription. La ths
railroads proposed Ia this county VI
believe the stock viii Dc profitable, aut
therefore we favor Individual a. wei a,
county subscription. Tho twe shoull
DC eomhined. We are for o9pressin,
none, and benehtung au.-HErul9