The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1874-07-15
A RECAPITULAPION OF THE
MATTER.

We have in previous issues of the
GAZETTE assumed, and TO the best
Of our ability, argued the following
positions in regard to Tennessee
railroad matters. Until we see
satisfactory answer to some of our
arguments, we shall believe our posi-
tions well taken, and shall keep them
constantly before the minds of the
readers of the GAZETTE, by publish
ing in this column our conclusions
as follows:
NEARLY all the railroads of The State
were built principally by State and
county aid; the balance of the cost
| being furnished mainly by private
I stock subscriptions among the farm
i ers and others along the various
\ lines, and not by the capital of those
who now control the roads.
2.-This private stock which constitUt-
ed only comparatively small pro-
portion of the cost of the roads, has
passed out of the hands and control
of those who furnished even this
portion of the means to build the
roads, into the hands of the present
railroad owners, in and ont Of the
State, at about IS cents on the dol
lar. So that the present owners of
the roads have paid for them re7y
small per cent of original cost; the
balance of the cost having been land
is still being paid by the taxes of the
people, and by the original stock
subscribers.
3.-Present owners of the railroads of
the State by getting control of the
roads in the manner they have,
have amassed immense wealth, and
in-addition to the immense amounts
. annually added to the value of the
railroads, are drawing princely salar-
les, and in many instances dividends
of from 90 to 40 per cent on their
actual outlay.
4.-These railroad owners are now DIS
ELIMINATING AGAINST THE
PEOPLE whose taxes and subsclip-
tions built the roads, and in favor of
foreigners, in their freight rates,' to
such an extent as to badly cripple
the agricultural and other interests
of the State.
5.-Thcy are charging, and always have
charged, rates of freight out of all
proportion to the actual cost of the
l,J,or ,,r,,.fcr,,,oJ ~ tI,oy,,
6.-They are charging, and always have
charged, rates of freight greater than
their charters allow them, and hare
thus rtolated their clartels and rendered
them subject to forfeiture.
THE railroad property of the State
has been hitherto exempted from
taxation, in violation of that clause
of the constitution which requires
that "nU property shall be tared accord
ing to its value"
S.-The officers in charge of these roads,
are, and have been, exercising Il very
cOrrupting influence upon the pub
lie press, and various governmental
departments of the State, BY a
DESPICABLE SYSTEM OF DEAD
HEADISM. This system is danger
Gus in its tendencies, AND OUGHT
TO BE LEGISLATED OUT OF
EXISTENCE.
0.-Thcsc railroad corporations have
heretofore, to some extent, dictated
legislation in Tennessee. Their
power, at present rates, will soon be
such, that they will do for Us, of
Tennessee, what they have already
done for the people of some other
States, dictate Through their wealth.
our legislative policy, and Through
the ballot-bOx and their influence on
voters,) the judicial policy of the
State.
We call upon the people to indi-
cate what changes they desire to be
made, at the ballot-box next No
Yember.