The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-04-06
- Gmosr LAID.n

The Mexia Leiger has resuscilated with
the Dallas Herald the controversy about
the International road. Asbetween Ireland
and Coke who opposed aud others who
favored the SO, O00,0 900 loan there
is no question of principle involved. Coke
accepted the substituted scheme and gave
land absolutely exempt from taxation.
Whether this donation will cost the State
more than. the So, 000, 900 \ loan is
a question to be solved by time. It so
happens, just now, that such isthe consti-
pated condition Of the money market that
the land Is unstable, and we have no
railway to the Rio Grande, and, in
stead, disorder and robberies and VIC
lence and a broad district rendered unin-
habitabls. II the So, OOO,OO had
been conceded, the sale of public lands
would have been progressive and populA-
ton and wealth augmented rapidly with
the volume OF public revenue, and we
would be spared the necessity of expend-
ing vast sums for border defense, and in the
maintenance OF public order. 1.-THE Inter
national penetrated Mexico Lerdo,s repub-
lie, would be at peace, and Texas richer
and growing in wealth and solidity more
rapidly than they haYe deemed possible
who have dreamed most extrayagantly Of
the grandeur and unity and splendid future
Of the mighty commonwealth. No greater
calamity, of late years, has befallen Texas
than the fact, resulting from some want
OF wisdom and craftsmanship, or from
some fearful providential necessity,
which parnlyzed the arm of progress and
made the International road stand till at
Rockdale, The State has lost more than
$4,000, 900 already and resulting losses are
cumulative and inealculable. The little In
cideht of the robbery Of the stage coach on,
an open highway, that would have been inn
possible in thepresence of civilizing inauens
ces Of locomotives, cost Western Texas a.
round sum that cannot be estimated until we
have learned how to coin moral. facts and
jingle them on the tombstone of civilizations
They dug its gravein Western Texas, who
damned up the tide of wealth aud progress
and civilization and law and order at Rock
dale, %. They saved $40, 600 on Interest," &C.
count, and lost five or ten million In props
erty values in Travis county and Austin
city alone. Western Texas is left to the ten,
der mercles OF bighwaymen, and the State
is forced to augment and maintain its cav
airy forces, wholly needless If the Intefna-
tionaf had not been arrested by folly or bad
faith OF by stupendous blunder. What the
land grant, conceded instead of the loan,
will cost the State none can tell. When
federal finances are regulated and prices be-
come ,noEma and property, other than un-i
taxed United States bonds, has salable
value, then it will be seen that bonds laliehS-
ated' and exempt from taxation have ten
fold their, present value and however the
Led9erimay. be pleased that the State gave
the read nothing; it will yet have cause to
weepthat posterity was robbed by folly and
narrow selfshness and arrant demagogism
of a priceless domain. = Either this is true
or they are stupendous. asses who, have pro-
phecied for Texas a glorious destiny.no But
why discuss these questions. In supporting
Coke for the Senate we support Dick Hub
bard for Coke's place and thus practically
ignore the dead issue which must solve it.
self.s Ne contede Goke's honesty and as.
sert Hubbard's wisdom in this behalf, and
only ask that the Ledger confess Hubbafds
honesty and assert Coke's statemanships and
thus compromise the trihing difference
and let the dead past bury its iead.ea - 20