The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-02-14
LANDERS ON SUBSIDIES.
Our Congressman interviewed by
Washington Paper.
He Explains His Texas Pacific Bill, and
Discusses the General Subject.
Twashinton NatIon.l


the bill seemed to have attracted considera-
BILE attention. and that it was impossible TO
obtain a copy an hour after the printed bills
had reached the document room. Mr.. Land
ers replied that he supposed people were GU
rious to see an honest railroad bill.
Reporter-Haye you any, objection to
stating the principles and object OF your sub
stitute2 -I t.tuf rnti....Iaf Hl
Mr.. Landers-None whatever. 1 may re-
mark first that am unalterably opposed, on
constitutional ground, TO the federal gov
eminent entering upon any system OF gem
eral internal improvements. believe,
however, that there are cases OF national
importance, in which the federal govern
ment has a direct interest, where congress
may grant aid, such as extending road of
any kind through a new region, in which
the government is part proprietor, and
which would enhance the value Of the pub
lie domain, as we'll as facilitate and
render less expensive the transportation
of troops, military stores, etc, and in
cases OF q like nature. This policy has
been recognized and acted upon by leading
statesmen of all parties since the formation
of the government. Listen to the following
extract from report made by Mr.. Calhoun,
chairman OF special committee OF the sem
ate in 1S45, to whom was referred a me-
mortal asking for aid for a railroad from the
Mississippi valley TO the southern Atlantic
states Mr. Calhoun said: They 1.-THE conf
mittee) are of the opinion that when such
roads or other works OF internal improve
ment may pass through public lands, the
United States may contribute to their con-
struction in their character of proprietors.
That congress has hight TO make such
contributions when there is reasonable
grounds to believe that the public lands will
be enhanced in proportion, under its right
to dispose of the territory and other public
property of the United States, your commit
tee can not doubt. In making this assertion
and that this power, like all other powers of
the government, is a trust power, and as
such is strictly limited by the nature and
object of the trust Again he puts the
matter in a still stronger light: Your COM
mittee go further. They are of the opinion
not only that congress has the right to con-
tribute to the extent stated in such cases,
but that il is in duty bound to do so as a
representative of part of the proprietors OF
the land to be benefited 1t would be
neither Just nor fair for il to stand by and
realize the advantages to be derived from
this work without contributing a due pro-
portion towards its construction. 1t would
be still less justifable to refuse 10 contribute,
if its effect would be to defeat work the
construction of which, while it would en-
nance the value of the land belonging to the
public and that of individual proprietors,
would promote the prosperity of the coun-
try generally"
Mr.. Calhoun was regarded as a tolerably
strict constructionist, and il can not be de-
MED that the reasons assigned by him in the
report from which have Just
read are eminently just and sound.
IL is true that this policy has been very
much abused during late years, but that is
no reason why we should run to the other
extreme. The mania which sprung up a
few years ago to build land grant railroads
led congress into the business of substituting
railroads to such a reckless and disgraceful
extent that public sentiment became justly
outraged, but as d matter of fact the evil in
that direction has been pretty much all ac-
complished, and the clamor now INDUCED
in by unthinking people reminds one of
locking the stable door after the horse has
been stolen. To allow il to drive us TO the
other extreme and prevent the government
from extending aid where it can be done
with perfect safety would be q
great mistake, especially at the present time
when the industries of the country lie par
alyzed, and general bankruptcy is staring
the nation in the face. The completion OF
theTexas and Pacific at the earliest day practi-
cable would contribute greatly towards slim
ulating legitimate enterprise and restoring
confidence Besides, il the insane policy OF
attempting TO resume specie payments is
persisted in, it would be, at least, but pru-
dent step 10 give to the nation the advan-
tage of the immense mineral resources OF
New Mexico and Arizona, which can be
reached and developed only by the compile
ton of the Texas and Pacific railroad.
The original plan of aiding a transconti-
mental railroad, ii will be remembered, con-
templated the building OF three roads, a
northern, a southern, and a central. Indeed,
in 1855 bill to that effect passed the senate.
/ think il would be well, at this time, If
ever, to carry out that design, ct least so far
as the Southern Pacific is concerned, If 1t
can be done in q way that will not add to
the burdens of government. That such an
end can be attained by the passage OF my
substitute have no doubt, and all that /
want is 10 have IL receive fair consideration.
That, sir, is the sole object of the sub
siitute.
Reporter-But what are the distinguishing
features between the bill offered by the COM
mittee and your substitute?
Mr.. Landers-There are several, but the
most important as we'll as radical difference
between the two is as TO the manner in which
aid is proposed TO be extended by congress.
The substitute leaves out all the branches
embraced in the original bill and provides
only for the construction OF the trunk line
from its present terminus at Fort Worth to
San Diego by the most direct route, dis
lance of less than 1 400 miles. 1t also
leaves out the Southern Pacific of Califor-
MIA, which is identical with the Central
Pacific that controls the west half of the
Union Pacific. / think it is inconsistent
with the idea of establishing a competing
line to allow the Southern Pacific of Califor-
mia to build and control the west half of the
Texas and Pacific also. But the main fea-
are of the substitute, as / have mentioned.
is the manner of extending aid to the pro-
ject. The original bill provides for guaran-
teeing interest al the rate OF five per cent. a
year on the bonds of the company to the
amount in round numbers OF $40, 900 900.
The interest on that sum at five per cent. a
year is $3,500,000, or for fifty years,
the time the bonds would have to
run. $175, 900. These bonds sooner
or later, would follow our other
bonds to Europe, and eventually, whether