National Republican., 1874-05-12
DEMOCRATIC RAILROAD JOB
Berry IN THE SOUTH

When the war ended the railroads in the
Southern States were in adeplorable condi-
tion-their rolling-stock gone, their credit
ruined, and obligations which had matured
during the temporary supremacy of the
Con(ederacy were overdue. The stock in
these roads and their general arrangement
was owned and controlled by Democrats
men who had been leaders in the secession
movement, and who had furnished the
brains as well as the money with which the
rebellion was maintained. As the States
were reorganized the Republican party OBJ
tanned political ascendancy, and the Demo
cratic railroad managers were obliged to
seek legislative aid for their ruined railroad
property at the hands of political oppo-
nents.
The result was a series of railroad lobby
jobs in the Legislature Of every Southern
State, the permanent benefit from the sue
cess of which Injured to these Democratic
managers, while the Republican Legislators
have been, to great extent, justly held to
account for the evident disregard of the
rights Of the people which characterized
their railroad enactments. But this pro-
cess by which the Republicans were hood
winked, where they were not corrupted, is
now proving to be two-edged sword, cut
ting both ways. In Virginia, In Georgia,
and in Tennessee, where the Democrats
have overthrown the Republicans, the
necessity arises that taxes shall be levied
to meet the obligations incurred either by
direct or indirect aid granted to the rail
roads. While the Republicans were in
power, and while they were foolish enough
to grant this aid for the benefit of political
opponents, a hue and cry was raised that
''the radicals" were running the States men
toned by their extravagance. The people
have not forgotten this hue and cry. They
learned lesson from it which now returns
to plague the inventors. II the appropria-
tons are not made to meet the obligations
incurred the Democratic stockholders and
managers will lose their expected profits,
and if they are made the people will de-
nounce the act as an Endorsement of ''radi-
car' profigacy.
Take the State of Tennessee, for instance
Its debt is being funded under law passed
by the last Legislature. The sale of its in
terest in the railroads to Democratic man
ayers has virtually depleted the treasury, and
has robbed it of prolific source of revenue.
The estimated deficit, on account of this
robbery, for the years 1873-'74, is 81, OBS, :
200, or more than half million yearly.
No one knows exactly what the aggregate
amount of the debt Is, but 1t is estimated at
$25, coo, 900. The revenue derived from
the tax assessment of 1813-'T4is Is 81, ,964, 800,
while the interest on the debt is at least S.
100000. Nomore distinct and damning evi-
dence of Democratic mismanagement can be
required than that which Is furnished by
this impartial exhibit But the trouble is
that the Democracy Is divided against it.
self, and that, as in Virginia, where the
friends of Col. Withers fought the sup
porters of Emperor Malone, the members
of the party who are nQt in the ring pro-
pose to take hand in the management of
affairs. One of them, Jesse K. Brown, of
Shelby county, at recent meeting. went
so far as to, declare that the debt, instead of
$25, 600, 900. is 500, 600. 900. He followed
up the declaration by a proposition to break
up the party organization, and declared
further that ''since the administration of the
"affairs of this State passed out of the
"hands of BrownloY into those of Senter,
" and then Brown and. others, the financial.
"policy pursued had been complete fall
"1rs. As for me would cote for BroUn-
"lov IN preference to having The present
administration of State AFFAIRS, and this
"is the ssntirsns Of al tho people Of West
" 7snnessee. ,s srIstsl ~,
Who can deny, in view Of this signif,
cant occurrence, that Tennessee may yet
be reclaimed to Republicanismi And what
is true Of Tennessee may yet be true of
Virginia and other Democratic railroad
ridden States. 80 ~ 1i