Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1873-1877, 1876-05-16
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That with tho moneys acquired from
the earnings of the Central Pacific, Stan.
ford & Co. are now building the railroad
known as the Southern Pacific, and they
claim to own the same irrespective OF the
stockholders of the Central Pacific. That
Stanford and Co. claim that all the depot
grounds, town sites, water tanks and
sources of supply of water along the
Central Pacific road are owned by them
in private ownership, although the same
are nearly in almost every instance stu
ate upon lands granted by Congress to
the company; and they claim to own the
lands and building i'll San Francisco,
used by the company as offices.
The petitioners further represent that
by reason Of having the control OF such
large sums of money and property, Stan
ford aud Co, possess great influence, and
have, so far, succeeded III preventing
Congress or any State legislative body
from inquiring into their wicked and dis
honest practices; and that they have eX-
pended large sums of money to influence
LEGISLATION in their favor, and to prevent
the passage of adverse measures, both IN
Congress and in the Legislature OF this
State, and it is their boast that. by the
use of money, no legislation sdverse to
them can be had. The petitioners say
that they have often demanded from
Stanford & Co. an account Of their acts
and doings in the premises, and to be
paid what might be rightfully due to
Them, as their proportion of tho earnings
and profits of said railroads; but they
have refused to account to the petition
srs or to pay to them their share OF their
earnings and profits, and have accused
the petitioners of trying to levy black
mail upon them because they made these
demands.
The petition AYERS that although the
petitioners have q remedy at law, to en-
force their rights in the premises, and
the courts of this State are presided over
by honorable and learned Judges. yet
thew are all men of small means, and
Stanford & Co. having the control OF so
much money, and having in their en-
plovment q large staff of eminent coun-
sci. the delays Of the law can be invoked
to hinder and prevent the petitioners
from establishing their rights. except at
cost that would be beyond their ability
to pay. They therefore approach "the
supreme law-making power OF the ma
ton. claiming that the interests of the
Government are identical with their own.
inasmuch as the Government is entitled
to five per cent. on the net earnings OF
the road from the time of completion,
and it is Of importance to it to determine
what charges are properly deductible
from the gross earnings, SO as to arrive
1t the true sum of the net earnings. And
if the property and earnings OF the
Southern Pacific belong to the Central
Pacific, then such earnings will largely
increase tho amount which should be
paid to the Government.
The document concludes as follows:
"And your petitioners humbly pray tnat
your honorable bodies will appoint a
committee Of your two houses. to sit in
the city Of San Francisco during your
adjournment. with full power to take
testimony, and inquire into the affairs OF
said railroad company. said firm OF
Charles Croker & Company, and said
Contract and Finance Company; and
that all legislation now proposed by the