National Republican., 1876-02-12
WILL IHE DEMOCRACY PROJECT THE
PEOPLE!


economy, reduction of taxes, reform anu
all such phrases flow as glibly from the
smooth and oily tongue of a Democrat as
Falernian wine into the stomach of topper.
They wish to gain favor with the people,
TO convince their dear friends that they are
in earnest, and to this end they flew with
amazing alacrity, albeit against the wishes
and interests of the people, to silly oppo-
sition to the CentenniaTbill. Now, if that
opened a little leak at the spiggot OF the
Treasury, we propose to show them where
there is a mighty aow at the bung-hole,
and then to ask them what they propose to
do about IT, When they see magnificent
chance to WIN their immortality by really
protecting the pockets of the people they
will surely embrace it. 1t stands to reason
they will, for are they not pledged to re-
form. to rigid adherence to statutes, TO
give to monopolies their quietus, and to
stick cross through the hearts of an rob-
beIs at the public crib? Certainly they
are, and We feel that we are doing them
distinguished service when we point out
the way f,r them to notably redeem some
Of their pledges We propose to uncover
for their gaze a perfect bonanza of fraud
and corruption, and to offer them golden
oppor,unily for the expiation of long list
of sins of omission and commission in the
past.
The New York Tribune, Mr.. Jay
Gould. the Union PLcifc railroad, are in
stitutions most all Democratic politicians
have heard of, and as the relations now
stand between the Pacific railroads and the
people there is loss to the people OF over
So, $50, 600 of the peoples money annu-
ally, in round numbers $4,000 day.
What will Congress do to obviate this
loss: The whole matter rests with the
Representatives of the people, who, when
they constructed the statutes under which
the roads were built, expressly reserved
the right to alter and amend them as the
interests of the people might demand. The
railroads referred to now absorb SIS, 800, 600
per annum Of the peoples money to sup
port them, and this enormous sum is given
to q concern that is dividing SAC, ,OOe day,
or S14, GOO, coo per annum, among its bond
and stockholders. Now, it is stated in
section 90 of the act of July, 1864, in aid
of the construction of railroad and tele-
graph line from the Missouri river to the
Pacific ocean, 'fhat Congress may at any
time alter, amend, or repeal this act, and
in the original act of July l, 1852,
section IS, the authority to alter,
amend, or repeal IS distinctly reserved.
In the report of the Government
directors-Messrs James f. Wilson, John
c. 6. Harrison, j. B. Brewer, J. H. Mil
lard and John A. Tibbetts-a letter dated
Union Pacific Railroad Company, New
York, February ., 1879, and signed by Sid
nev Dillon. president is printed, from
which the following is an extract: "The
bonds are accumulating on the interest
account, also uncolected until principal
sis due, will amount to the very large ag-
greCatc of over 81. 900, 200. though the
"aCtual amount advanced by the Govern
"mcnt was only So, 206, 5l2. For this
every large amount the Government has
d" only second mortgage, and If 1t be al
lowed TO acCumu ate without any provi'
1" sion being made II meet it, the company
" Will prob .bly he utterly unable to pay it. u
Now. section Il OF the act Of 1864 makes
il competent tor Congress 10 demand what
the road cost Including the sums used tc
cor1ui4 Congress, the income bonds, &C.,
&c. Ii is also within the power of Con
Crcss by the act To reduce fares and trans
po-tation when the profits of the road
amount 10 over ten per cent. on the capita
involved.
Without putting too fine point upon it,
it is susceptible of proof that the profits now
amount TO overten per cent. per annum. Viii
some vrtuous Democratic member of Con
grcss look into this matter? Will he stanC
still, fo,d his rms and quietlysee the people
bleeding to the tune of $40, 900 day to sup
port giant monopoly dividing, beyond this
as profits, $4O,C eco a day: The nav of Jay
Gould is insatiate 1t will never be salts
fed. Like the daughters of the horse leech
his CRY will still be "give, give Are tn
people 10 suffer longer this eXtraordinar!
tax in order to pamper with additional mil
lions the appetite of robbers: Herein
woIkfor the enthusiast in reform.