The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-03-18


w. NJ. LINDSEY, of Kaufman,
JEREMIAH GALyAE, of Cameron,
JOHN N. MOORE, Of Nueces,
WM. A. WORTBAAl, Of Hopkins,
GEO. X. ScoTT, of BurlesOn,
MAX MEIssNER, of Austin,
A. 4. kEssLER, Of Comal,
j. +. BRowN, Of San Saba,
). j.. CHAMBLIss,
4. j. WALKER,
B. II. EPPERsoS, ~
j. v. MASSEY, trls
q. ]. GOODWIN, of Brazos.
AUSTIN, March 10, 1875.
McsFs Henderson. Rpperson, JAckman and others
Gentlsmen In response to your request,
I note down, as nearly rs possible, my re-
marks made on the final passage OF the last
International compromise BILL
Very respectfully yours,
JAMES B. SIMPSON.
Mr.. Speaker vote for the measure of
compromise recommended by the Executive
because believe that by virtue Of a consti-
tutional charter the International Railway
Company have rights that should be re-
spected by the law-making power Of the
government.
reason OF desperate and incurable hostil-
ity to this road, its rights under the law of
this State will not be enforced by the ex-
ecutive or legislative departments OF the
government, and that this company must
accept this compromise as a dernier resort.
vote for this measure, not from court
~ complaisance, nor actuated by blind
and serYile submission to power, but be-
cause upon principle Il believe this COM
pany Lave inalieFable rights resting upon a
valid, subsisting and constitutional charter
and woald, with an immobility of pur-
pose that knows no opposition, and recOg-
nizes no defeat, continue 10 proclaim my
support OF the principle involved in the char
tered rights of the International Railway
Company, not that it is corporation, not
that this corporation represents wealth and
power not that unreasonable benefits have
not and will not be conferred by them upon
Texas, but because J hold their charter 70
be a valid law which l have pledged my
sacred honor as a representative to support.
But, sir, were not grounded in an I'M
alterable belief that the International Rail-
way Company have guaranteed rights under
a constitutional charter, l should with
great hesitancy vote for this measure, for,
in my humble judgment, Its provisions are
infinitely more disastrous to the interests of
Texas than the compromise measure re-
Gently vetoed.
By this BILL Mr.. Speaker, the Legisla-
ture donates to this company $4,000 square
miles Of territory, or serels million sis hun
dred and eighty thousand acres of land, rep
resented by certificates that are non-alter-
mates and are locatable as original head
right certificates are located. This princely
domain, an absolute gift, is exempted
from taxation for twenty-five years.
Should the company choose to locate it, il
would embrace, as before stated, IL, 600
square miles, upon which they might estab-
lish mills, manufactures, foundnes, ETC.,
of incaloulable value, all Of which would
be exempt from taxation. Should the COM
pany see tit to colOnize it (and having a
great trunk railway with connecting lines
throughout the United States, the intro
duction of immigrants on q large scale
could be readily accomplished, this land
could be intersected and divided by irri-
eating canals and bitches, and, like the
San Felipe farm, of Kinney county, and
the Frio Canon rancho, OF Western Texas,
it would become an estate comparable in its
wondrous richness to the fertility of the
valley Of the Nile, for it is known, Mr..
Speaker, that the lands of Western Texas,
irrigated like those in Kinney county, which
supply line of Federal forts, cannot be
purchased to-day for less than 500 per
acre, and / doubt il the owners Of San
Felipe farm would take in round numbers
this sum Of 800 per acre. But descending
from the wonderful developments of which
these lands are susceptible to their present
worth as bare, uncultivated, virgin soil,
hold them TO be worth ut least one dollar
per acre, which would amount 70 50, $50,
900, and that exempted from taxation.
Now, did this bill end here, Il would be
grant Of an excess of "a, 500, 900 over the
amount agreed upon in the bill passed by
this House and vetoed by the Executive.
But IN addition TO this enormous and ex-
ceedingly valuable grant Of land, the pres
ent bill exempts 600 miles of railway, its
property. franchise, etc, absolutely and I'M
oQuiyocally from all State, county, town
or city taxes for twenty-five years.
1hold. Mr.. Speaker, that every completed
and equipped mile Of this 600 miles Of rail-
way will cost not less than $35. 600. or the
road in the aggregate would be worth sci,
600 eco. hold, Mr. Speaker, that one
and one-hah per cent. would at least be
imposed By aggregated State, county and
municipal taxes upon this road, being
yearly tax Of $3i5, 900, amounting IN TWEEN
ty-hye years 20 $3.50, 600 Of taxes lost to
the government. Add 20 this huge sum the
value Of tho land grant of s., 500. 600, and
We have grand total Of $i5, as, 600 do
natec 70 this company by this bill, an ex-
cess Of Sl2, i55, 900 over the amount settled
upon IN the vetoed bill. When COO miles
oi this railroad shall have been completed.
and the vast traffic Of Mexico ana the great
West shall pass across our State. / under
take 70 say that lis monthly income from
freights and travel would not be less than
$500. 900 per month or 81, 600, 900 per an
nun, which large income, in addition 20
the above exemptions, would be subject 70
no tax. II we multiply the earnings Of one
year by TWENTY-FIVE, we have the gigantic
sum Of $3.50, o00, coo Of income alone not
taxed.
Now. 1lr. Speaker, It is contendod that
he charter Of this company Is upconstltu-
tional, null and void. and procured to be
passed BY bribery. corruption and fraad,
and thai consequently under that charter,
annih[laied rs il is oy It's alleged ilagrant
uncanslitotionallty, the company have no
rights. IL this 81 40. IN the name Of Law
profound, Of Justice outraged. Of . brave
and chivalroOs people begrarcd and
insnlscd, ask by what authority
this pgincely gift, ihis imperial exemption
fron an taxation, has been made. 0nWhat
doos this authority resii
Must 3 body 81 aliens and Adventures
las they are said 70 be-, without claim upon
Texas, be vested With great gins Of land
and mighty exemptions from iaxalien.
while The farmer heavily bOrihcned bg
lax. the old soldiers and veterans 81 The
Republic. who wen these lands By deeds Of
daring, BE- rufhlessly and numerically
laxcdl Why, sir, the very stones % The
CID blood stained chqrch as San Antonio
Woa|d cry out against . measure - mon
s.lons
again. SRI & viii be remembered that
l1t.e eeEllcases ere non-aIieTnalcs, locala-
---a---L-- M Wholly en-. from