New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-22
THE SOUTHERN OVERLAND ROUTE.
THR PRESIDENT N DOUBT ABOUT TIE TEXAS AND PA.
CfFIC SCHEME.
AlflC >iIitNts
LEY rELEGRAPH 10 THg TRIsUSs.l


lBT rELEGRAPH THg TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Dec 21.-The e,idcnt has very
often been credited with leaning towards the Ola
Wing doctrine Of providing by National appropna-
tons for liberal internal improvements. On tins ac-
count the promoters Of numerous subsidy schemes
have counted upon his prompt signature OF any OF
their bills which they may be fortunate enough 10
get through Congress.
The Texas and Pacific people have been very
anxious about the membership of the House
Committee on the Pacific Railroads, and are work
ing with great system and diligence TO present their
measure in such a shape, at such time, and under
such circumstances that il will provoke as little
antagonism as possible and secure majority OF
votes in the House. With this end in view they
have reduced the Government aid they ask for by
$4,000 a mile. All of their bills introduced
this year provide that the Government snail
guarantee the interest $4,000 worth OF bonds
Der mile of road constructed across the plains and
$50 900 per mile in the mountains All the bulls OF
the last Congress asked for T35,OOO and %43,Ooo
per mile in the plains and mountains respectively.
So too to meet the differing views OF Congressman,
they have caused TO be introduced variety OF bilis
One provides for a single trunk line from Fort
Smith TO San Diego, and another for trunk line
and various branches
None of the promoters OF this scheme have seemed
ton TO any of their bills. They appear rather TO
have taken it for granted thai he would sign any
thing that Congress might pass None of the friends
of the Texas and Pacific scheme seem TO have gone
near the White House or TO have cOnversed with the
President on the subject
The President has been thinking on this matter
however and has taken pains to inform himself IN
regard to some of the internal Improvement bills
that are likely to be discussed, and especially con-
corning the Texas and Pacific proposition. gem
tlenau who talked with him early IN the week
found him in grave doubt first, whether
il would be wise to grant Government
aid TO the Texas and Pacific Road at
all; aud secondly. if aid was granted
as to the amount of it, His objection to subsdiz'ns
the road At all seemed to be based on a conviction
that Southern trans-continental line VIII be con-
| structed without Government and within very few
years and as soon the business Of the country de-
| mands it, The only excuse for the Government as
| siSting such an enterprise at any time, is
/ a great and pressing need of II. and the
certainty that private capital cannon DE GnihiN'u'
If no great public interest viii Suher by me post
pOuement of the completion OF the Texas and FdClnc
line for a few years. and II Southern ROAD VIII ne
built 10y private capital as soon a. 1t IS &ttu3lF
needed the President does not seem u tAlHh, tli,
gentleman says, that tine Government Will
be justified in extending aid, either by
grants of money or loan Of credit. On the second
point the President is also reported 10 have been
very plain in the language he used II, under any
circumstances Government aid is TO be given, il
ought 20 be limited In amount 20 the smallest sum
which will make the completion of the road po-si-
bic The President seems TO think and he Is not
the only one who holds that opinion that The Texas
and Pacific Company desires nost tua- iAi.. e"t
thai to treat the company with such generosity a.
would make possible Any more Credit NODlller OpeI-
atioue would be g serious mistake
If therefore the first objection should he removed
and IL seems hardly probable that It Will be-, Inc
second that the company asks too much might stu
prevent the President from signing Texas ana Ia
cifc bill. ,,
II is hardly probable that the President will have
occasion to act on such bill at all tins session hc
best informed members of the House .!hclucmg tht
Sneaker there is good reason TO beieve think that
no majority in its favor can ever be obtained IN the
present Congress.