The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-07-27
VOL. v.


1t is proper to say that no speech
made during this session OF the Legislature
has produced a more profound impression
than that delivered Wednesday by Senator
Terrell upon the bill providing relief for
the Texas and Pacific Railroad Company.
His position was against further reserVa-
tion OF the immense land grant TO Tom
Scott and his arguments were full Of Wis
dom. II must be known that for twenty
three years q powerful monopoly, through
its SUGGESTIONS, has held special privileges,
granted to no other corporation in this or
any other State. An immense public do
main has, during this time, been locked
up to the detriment of Texas. Year after
year, through fictitious promises, this COM
pany has come before the Legislatures and
drained by such representations extensions
and enlargements, which have proven OPP
pressiye to its people Year after year the
halls of our Capitol have been filed with
lobbyists employed oy this company, and
prepared for themselves. by connecting
themselves with this enterprise, an easy
descent from high position. We have
seen men, who might have expected the
highest honors in the gift of the State Of
Texas, lose them upon this very measure,
and We tremble for the political fortunes
of those who would to-day deny to Texas
for Tom Scott, in fee simple, the poor
privilege OF guarding its holiest under
takings. 9'
But we were speaking of the speech
of Senator Terrell, and we can
but express pride for one who would
so bravely defend the interests
of Texas against the encroachments of this
grinding monopolist. He would, instead,
save to the Safe. and to it's school fund,
this great domain, and deny any man or
corporation the right 10 take of this land.
He said the bill should not pass because
it is unjust to the school fund. which is
now entitled to four millions of acres OF
land on account of that quantity issued to
the International road that it violates the
Constitution in perpetuating a reservation
we are prohibited from creating; that it
grants an extension in the interest of the
Texas and Pacific Railway Company,
which is not for the interest of the
State; that il is pandering to the de-
mhnds of corporation which, with
its predecessors, has been treacherOus
to every promise for twenty y-two years, and
violates the spirit which brcathes in every
section of the Constitution which treats of
railroads. He stated that Texas had prom
ised to railroads 1873, 099, 240 acres of land
that to satisfy this claim, she had, after
deducting alternate sections for school
lands, only little over 80, 900, 900 acres
then from this quantity was deducted the
additional four millions due the school
fund, the three millions which the Consti.
tuition required to be set aside for public
buildings, and the one million required fol
State University, in all eight millions
The rest would-be dog town land an6
mountains, which no private holder o
a certificate would locate on. He saiG
that he would not discuss the question
forfeiture already of twenty three days had
been incurred before the ordinance of tie
Constitutional Convention was passed, by
failing to construct the twenty miles be
tween Brookston and Texarkana, and he
knew no rule which required the Legisa
ture to sit and wait supinely, with her pub
lie domain being wasted, until the courts
could declare that forfeiture; that the for
feiture had been incurred, the Senator
! in whose district Brookston is stu
ated knew; and it was the right and dut,
of Texas to act on matter of such public
uotoriety, and resume control of reserva
tion eighty miles wide and large enough
to make u State. But our space is too limi
ted to allow very extended notice of this
: admirable speech. The minority report OF
| this question, published to-day, should b.
read for more full understanding o
points involved. Hi.7< fa . 81
/