Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-11-14
rHG TEXAS AND PACIFIC RAILROAD

IL l~ucEclOIc du Olu Otales
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The TEXAS AND PACIFIC RAILROAD
BILL.
Northern Democrats as we'll as Repub
%licsns, are opposed to what they are
pleased to term subsidies in congress
The opposition to the Texas and Pacific
railroad bill has become so formidable,
Notwithstanding the favorable organiza.
ton of the committee in the house Of
Representatives, that it will, in all prob
ability, be withheld aud a substitute
offered instead. This will probably
provide for one trunk line east from
Marshall to Vicksburg or Memphis, and
west from Fort Worth to a point where
it will connect with Huntington's road,
Tom Scott does not want it to come to
Memphis, but may be compelled to make
concessions on 10th sides. Even then
it is doubtful whether congress, in its
present temper, would pass any bill for
the benefit of the South. The immense
moneyed power of New York and Boston
being interested in the one road crossing
the continent and immense bodies of
lands in the Northwest, will be used to
| defeat the Southern and Pacific railroad
bill in any shape, as well as the levee
bill or any other measure calculated to
open up and develop the vast
of the South or Southwest. We may ex-
psct this, and should make it the main
issue in all future elections. The Dem
ocrats North have no more sympathy
with us than the Republicans. In fact,
the most persistent opposition comes
from the Democratic side. A special
from Washington to yesterdays Courier
Journal, says:
Mr.. Potter persists in bis declination
as chairman OF the Pacific railroad com
mittee, and it is understood that the
speaker has given the idea that he has
the power to name another chairman, to
deprive Governor Throckmorton of his
right to succeed. In any event, it is Ger.
tain that both the friends and opponents
of the Measure in the committee would
have united to make Governor Throck-
morton chair man, as q matter Of justice.
AS was stated in q former dispatch, the
friends of the road are now practically
agreed to lop off the branches and to
make their fight on a single trunk line
from the Mississippi river to San Diego.
At a recent meeting of the Texas dele
gates, all former differences of opinion
we're %harmonized, and the delegates
united to support the bill on this basis.
II is probable that the guarantee of in
terest on the bonds of the company will
only be applied for in respect to the por.
ton of the road lying west Of Fort
Worth. The effect Of these changes is
greatly TO strengthen the chance Of pas
sing the bill, but its opponents profesa
confidence in their ability to defeat it in
the house, and some even deny that the
committee will make a favorable report.
One Of them said tonight that the
speaker did not expect the committee to
report the bill. A favorable report, how.
ever, is reasonably certain.
The mere extension west of Fort
Worth would not soon be OF much ad.
vantage to the Southern States east of
the Mississippi river. S.. Louis could
tap the road at once, while Memphis
would be as eIectually cut off by the
Iron Mountain railroad IS ever. 1t would
be the same with Yicksburg aud other
points. However, it is possible that Fri.
vate enterprise would build a road from
DevalIs Bluff to Texarkana, or better
still to Lsngview, where it would connect
with the international and Great North.
ern as well as the Texas and Pacific,
opening up an almost unlimited field for
trade and enterprise. Huntington's
road is coming this way, but not to the
Mississippi. His aim is to reach salt
water at Houston, Galveston, Indiauola,
Corpus Christi or some point on the
coast, whence heavy frsights can be ship.
ped either way, while it will be the
aim to carry passengers by the
northern route. Il is doubtful
whether Tom SCOTS road ever be-
comes more than an auxiliary to
Huntington's road, which is n Of the
most powerful corporations in the coun
try and is rapidly extending from the
Pacific 10 the Gulf Of Mexico. Morgan
is in q toOd position to make terms with
Huntington, and the two together can
effect a combination that would greatly
impede, if not shut out, the Texas and
Pacific as a trans. continental line Some
of tie Texas members, looking to their
local interests, will vote against Scott
bill. They rely, Of couse, upon some
such q combination as we mention to
aaswer the demands of their section.
When it is considered that the South is
not solid for the Texas and Pacific rail
road bill, and that it encounters the
united opposition of Huntington, Nor.
gan and the North, it seems to have but
little prospect Of becoming a Law at this
session OF congress.
Pleasant for Hard Drinkers.
The Lnnieuilla Onnrinr Innrnnl mhinL