The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-04-06
THE REL ,TIONS OF AUSTIN TO TIE
CENTRAL RAILWAY.--D DUTY OF
OUR CITY FATHERS. -'

.r P -.
There are two sides to many questions,
and very certainly is this true when we un-
dertake, in any matter, to do even-handed
justice. An individual, in contest with
powerful corporation, it is said, always wins
before an average jury. In the higher
courts, where simple right and unmixed
law is administered, there is a share of fair
ness, and therefore railway and other cor
porations are commonly forced to appeal to
the highest judicatories. Whenever a con-
troversy arises between town and rail-
road the townspeople become an unit and
the company is IN the condition of the ia
bled cat in realms of the lost with IT'S claws
clil ped.r We do not know that these facts
,applylt to relations subsisting between the
Central road and the city of Austin, but it
lis well enough for the people having intel
ligence enough to understand the facts and
reason dispassionatelY to hear both sides of
the case. The matter certainly, deserves
discussion, and we must either have
proper building at the proper terminus of
the Central road, or suffer. the stopping
place to be changed, to the great detriment
of business men and of property-owners.
The STATESMAN, representing the people,
has often complained that the railroad COM
pany fails 10 erect proper depot build
ings and passenger resorts. Whose
fault is it that proper station build
ings are not erected in Austin9 The COM
pany says on this subject, if we are not
mistaken, that the want of proper accom-
m6dations provided for the public by the
compan is due to the failure of the city Of
Austin to comply with its agreement. Aus
TN PROPOSED, 1t is alleged, to give the Cen
traI Railway Company, if it would at once
extend its branch to this place, half
square for the conpany's use. The COM
,pany extended its trackway to the spot and
made preparations to erect the sneedful
Pbml mldiugs, but found, it's managers state,
that the citY's title to the half square was
Imperfect. 1t is only necessary, we are
now told, for the city to comply with its
contract, and this is done when those own
ing property around the square assent
to the appropriation of the lot to, the
purposes of the railway company. II
this be done we are assured that splen-
did structures will be reared at once
at the passenger station. Property in the
i vicinity will be greatly enhanced in value
and much money will be expended smong
mechanics and laborers. Will not the in
A telligent builders and working men of Aus
Tin insist that our city fathers ct once
address themselves to the adjustment of
differences between themselves and the rail.
way corporation Every interest of Aus.
tin is involved, and it is time that the
pujudices OF stupidity had vanished and
the good, as well as evil, done by corpora.
tions were alike comprehended and con-
fessed. The railroad has added enor-
? monsly to the city's wealth and promoted
infinite progress. 1t has doubled again and
again property values along its route, and
YET Juries, when assessing damages alleged
10 be done proPerty-holders. are said TO be
absolutely vindictive, and individuals con.
stituting the company feel that they
{ have been remorselessly rebbed even here
Z in Austin. We present the facts, be it re
membered, as these are viewed and devel
oped by the railway company and not per
haps, as Others see them. Our purpose i.
70 induce final action by the city and by
the railroad corporation. Should there Be
10 settlement of this difficulty the railroad
compans can then establish its depot where
ii will be secure against suits for damages
The Springfield RepuNiozn Is 1uthorit.
: 20, ,h,. sts,e,,,ent thar Mr. David W.liss