The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-11-17

pany upon the line of true Southern connec,
ton: The evidence of 1t is patent to those
familiar with the indications of railroad en-
terpriscc, and Gan scarcely be concealed from
the public after the recent letter of Gen
sherman to the vice president of the South
ern Pacific Company Of California from
which L quote the following paragraph, as
published in the San Francisco papers:
81 am informed that you contemplate an
extension from Yuma eastward to Santa Fe,
New Mexicoy and that about two hundred
for at once"
notice that since this letter has been pub
llshed on this side, the words t'Santa Fe, New
Mexico, are omitted, and the word least
ward left to confirm the delusion of q real
southern purpose; for surely the intelligence
OF the Southern people must discern that a
connection from Yuma enthusiastically to
Santa Fe, New Mexico, and thence by the
AtcblsOn and Topeka road, whatever Its COM
merclal value may be to certain sections Of
the country, Is nota Southern connection with
Southern ports.
SECOND 1hqt the bill IN aid of The Teras and
Pacific rodd does not secure such certain nd-
vantage to the South as 1t needs and claims, but
places the controto Of its traffic in The hands Of
co., Scott, acl'o represents achat rs charged to
be q RIAL interest,":
-, Mr.. Langdon says: Take Alabama as an
moved in Alabama; no Alabama laborer will
find employment; not dollar of the thirty
eight millions Of government money will be
circulated among the people Of Alabama"
from the general prosperity of the South?
Has she no commercial relations beyond her
borders, and does Mr.. Langdon consider Mo-
bile d sea port and one capable OF develop
ment? Have not Alabama, Tennessee
Georgia, West Virginia and East Kentucky
advantages for using their iron ores which
cannot be surpassed; and, with the proper
energy, would not the building of this road
ana its branches develop this valuable induB-
try? And what would be thought Of citl-
cago, who would have opposed the
building Of the present Pacific connection be-
cause mot q shovelful OF earth would be
moved in New York, Ohio or Illinois? The
enter the States Of Alabama, Georgia, South
Carolina, than the Central Pacific proposed to
enter New York, Pennsylvania or Massachu-
sets. The one isa connection between the
Mississippi and the Pacific. at San Diego, as
the other was a connection between Omaha,
on tho Missouri, and the Pacific, at San
Francisco The theory of both is that be-
tween the termini of the Atlantic system of
railroads and the Pacific coast there was an
immense territory which offered obstacles
beyond the means of private enterprise to
overcome, while the wants of national COM
merce, national Defense and national unity
imperatively required that the connection
should be accomplished. Unable and indis-
pDSSu W uUIltI GHh6 Lut WOEk lLSGIt,
the government was willing to give Its aid in
return for the advantages which this connec-
ton gave to it's own immediate business. In
doing so it was bound SO to control that con-
ncction that its privileges should be equally
shared by the various systems of State roads
then In existence. How that duty was dis
charged in tho case Of the Central Pacific [
need not now discuss. But in the case of o
Southern line the necessities and requirements
of equal justice to the existing system of
I'll nr 10 IS hn nf hxo
line which furnishes In its eastern terminus
on the Mississippi q point with which the
Southern States could connect with equal
advantage. But this line does even more, for
terms at any point which the interest of any
Southern State may require. This Is all
that the Texas and Pacific proposes to
accomplish, and If 1t makes it's trunk
line fair distributor Of its traffic at
plished its purpose. Mr. Langdon, therefore,
makes q graver and more pertinent charge
when he denies that the provisions Of the
Texas and Pacific bill secures terminus on
the mississippi This Is an advantage which
q loss to understand how Mr.. Langdon could
have retained such an impression after read
ing the bill, for after providing for the selec-
ton OF the route from Marshall to the point
on the Mississippi which shall have been de-
termined, the bin provides (section 12} THAT
the eastern terminus of the said Texas and
Pacific Railway shall be on the east bank of
the Mississippi river wherever this point may
be designated, and which terminus may be
reached either by suitable boats or a bridge
company; and provided further, that the said
Texas and Pacific Railway Company shall
have the right to purchase the charter,
franchises and property, of any exist
lSted Eroute, or construct new
one, at the option Of said company; and that
a failure to SO purchase or construct, at the
rate herein provided, on the eastern extern
sion, shall work an absolute forfeiture OF all
right to the guarantee OF the government on
the interest OF the bonds to be issued for SO
much Of the line as may remain uncOnstruct- |
ID at the time Of such default" The same
section provides "that this part of said line
shall be built at the rate Of not less than fifty
miles per annum."
1t is difficult to see how, in presence of such |
4 provision Mr.. LangdOn can say that no |
line has been fixed for it's completion, or that |
10 penalty has been affixed to its failure. Nor |
ections made by Mr.. Langdon to the mode
q which the Mississippi terminus Is to be Sc
ected.
The bill provides that this terminus shall
lot be further north than Memphis; that be-
;ween Memphis and any other terminus on
he Mississippi, the choice shall be made by
| board consisting of three engineer officers
If the United States army Of the highest |
'ank, and two civilians, none OF whom shall |
lave any interest in any railroad connecting
he Mississippi with the Atlantic or Gulf
coast, and their decision shall be subject to
he approval OF the president. OF course, a
PRESIDENT might refuse to do his duty under
his law, as he might refuse to do his duty
lnder any other law. But the same objection
would be against all and any legislation which
Ievolved duties upon him. One might as we'll
bject to the judiciary act creating q Supreme
Jourt because it was physically possible for a
Judge to refuse to deliver judgment. AS to
elay In the action of the board the interests
# the company would seem from the above
ections to be a guarantee against it. But if
0 remote g. possibility need be guarded
gainst it can be done by a very simple
mendment; and [ can assure him that, as
he able and patriotic Senator (Mr. Lamar)
Who advocated the bill in the Senate declared,
ny amendment will be cheerfully received
Which is in good faith intended to perfect it's
PROVISIONS.
I can scarcely suppose that the following
anguage Of Mr.. Langdon is used seriously:
The increased production in Texas Of those
gricultural staples on which the people of
-labama depend for their subsistence and
will cause a depreciation in their
larket value, and to the extent of that depre-
ation will the income Of our people be dimin-
she'd and their prosperity be retarded" # /