Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-08-11
WHOLE NO. 2, 2,29S.

: Central and Union Pacific interes
) led by G.. p. Huntington, Vice Pre-.
J ident of the Central Pacific, in PEI
: son. In 1875 this individual mad
J a proposition for a combination
, of interests, which was indignant
, rejected by Mr.. Scott. In 1876 h
had better fortune, and succeedel
in inducing the Texas Pacific Com
pany to accept "cOmpromise" bill
which provided that the "Southerl
Pacific" of the Central Pacific abov,
referred to, might build on acros
the Colorado, through Arizona anC
| New Mexico, to join the Texas Pa
cific somewhere near the RioGrande
The Southern Representative wer,
many of them made to believe il
was now or never with them for 9
Southern outlet to the Pacific, and
so bare majority of the House
Committee on Railroads was Sc.
cured in favor of this measure
But just at this point San Diego in
terposed respectful but firm pro-
test, and through the efforts of her
able representatives such an oppo-
sition was aroused to the bill that
it was never put before the House.
Meanwhile the Hon. Franklin Lam
ders, of Indiana, prepared a substi-
tute for the pending bill, providing,
/ simply, aid for the completion of
the Texas Pacific line from its pres
ent terminal point at Fort Worth,
Texas, to the Bay of San Diego.
The "compromise' bill, and Mr..
Lander's substitute, We're referred
back to the Committee on Railroads,
and there the' matter stood when
Congress adjourned.
This history is essential to a clear
understanding of the situation as it
is to-day.
We say that if Congress permits
the "Southern Pacific" branch of
the Central Pacific monopoly to
build eastward from the Colorado
river, it will commit an outrage
1. Because to give this permission
would simply be to turn over the
Southern transcontinental railroad
to the Central Pacific Company and
thereby give it complete and per-
petual monopoly of the overland
traffic with California.
2. Because Congress has distinctly
enacted that the Texas and Pacific
Railway should be constructed, and
maintained, as a continuous line
from Marshall to ships channel i'm
the Bay of San Diego, and that il
should be located on the most direct
and eligible route, as near as might
be along the 32d parallel.
3. Because in thus defining the
route and designating the terminus
of the Texas and Pacific road, il was
the purpose of Congress to secure to
the South, direct line of railway
to the Pacific, and to give to the
whole people protection from mo-
nOpOly by the establishment of an
independent, competing transcon-
tinental railroad. And this inten-
ton of Congress is further shown
by the prohibition of consolidation
with any other Pacific railroad.
4. Because the law strictly limits
the privilege granted to the "South-
ern Pacific of California" to a con-
nection with the Texas Pacific at or
near the Colorado river. defining the
purpose for which such privilege is
granted. The Central Pacific has
completed this branch to the Colo
RADIO, and that eXhausts its privilege
under the law, and removes il from
further consideration by Congress. |
). Because it is the duty of Con-
gress to regard the interest of the |
people rather than the private inter-
est of corporations. And this is a |
question which is plainly stated |
thus
Shall the original Pacific Railroad |
policy ofthe and the eX-
listing law of Congress be carried out |
in good faith,-shall the South be |
justly dealt with,-shall the people !
be secured the protection of conpe- !
titiOn Or,
Shall the monopoly of the Central |
Pacific Railroad Company be en-
larged in scope and madeperpetual =? |
6. Because the faith Of the Gov |
has been deliberately |
pledged, and proclamation thereof |
made to all the world for more than |
six years in the Act of Congress APP
proved March 3, 1871, that the Texas |
Pacific Railroad should be construct |
ed, and maintained, as an independ-
ent, competing line, through TO |
ships channel in the Bay of San |
Diego, by the most directpracticable /
route along the 32d parallel; and |
that, if the corporation empowered
TO do the work should, from any 1
cause, fail to so complete the road, /
Congress should take the necessary i
to secure its speedy com
pletion.
The Government Of the United
States cannot break faith thus dis
tinctly and solemnly pledged in
public law without committing
great and ineXcusable outrage upon
The people.
TO sum up:
What are the facts of the situa-
ion? The Texas Pacific Company,
being unable to complete the road
additional aid i'm the shape
If Government credit to enable il to
market its securities, Congress IL
lsked to take the necessary measures
% secure the speedy completion Of
he road according to law. That is
5he only question properly before
Congress. Mr.. HuntingtOn's "Soutb-
srn Pacific" " has no business there
It all: it has nothing whatever to
10 with the matter in hand. The
public interest simply demands that
he provisions of the existing law
Ie carried out in good faith-and
nothing more.
THE PITTsBURGH FIGHT.