National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1878-03-15
Family nj both Ends.

The st. Louis Globe Democrat, of March 8,
says:
The bill Texas and Paciic) provide, that a
line shall be built or purchased from Fort
Worth to some point on the Mississippi no
further north than Memphis. Here the prin.
oiple that the Government should not aid IN
any public work that can be accomplished by
private capital, comes into play. As matter
of fact, there arc no less than three lines Of
railway now connecting the Mississippi and
Fort Worth. One is between the latter point
and st. Louis another connects Fort Worth
aud Memphis and n third finds an outlet at
Cairo. The extension of the North Louisiana
aud Texas for fifty miles. from Monroe to
Shreveport, will give a direct line from Fort
Worth TO Vicksburg and the building Of $50
miles from Shreveport to Normillion, or OF
fifty miles from Vcrinillon to Orange, will
give through rail connections with New Or
leans. What more Is needed! Here Is
whole network of roads now connecting tho
eastern terminus Of the Texas Pacific proper
with the Mississippi, and yet the Government
Is asked to gIrnt authority to build a compel
ing line. This would be q manifest I'M Justice
to the men who have put their capital Into
the roads already built, and Is clearly dc.
signed to aid some cunning Eastern jobbers.
The Government cannot afford to 60 into the
business Of competition with private enter
prise. The fact that three lines OF railway
already connect the eastern end Of tho Texas
Pacific and the Mississippi Is satisfactory evil
dence that no Government aid Is needed to
build another competing branch. II there is
a demand for another line, no fear need be en-
tertained but that the necessary capital will be
furnished. This is a matter with which Con-
gross should have nothing to do. 1t Is right
and proper that aid and encouragement should
be given to insure the early construction Of the
line from Fort Worth to San Diego, because at
present private enterprise Is unable to do the
work alone. But here tho Government inter
ference should end. The two propositions dis
cussed arc separate and distinct, aud they
should never have been united in this bill. We
trust that the portion relating to the construc-
ton Of line from Fort Worth to the Missis-
sippi, as proposed will be Topped off, If erected
into an Independent bill, a fitting title for it
would be: "An act to discourage private en-
prise"
The Globe Democrat is evidently laboring
under a misrepresentation relative TO the
route west of Fort Worth
The Southern Pacific Railroad has been
completed and cars are daily running from
San Francisco to Yuma, in Arizona, the dis
lance being over seven hundred miles. This
road is also built TO Wilmington and Santa
Monica, on the Pacific Ocean, and is within
ninety miles Of being connected with San
Diego. This company is also anxious, with
out endorsement of bonds or money sub
sidy of any kind, to continue building the
road east from Fort Yuma to FL Paso in
Texas, and, if not met at that point by a
road from the East, will continue the con-
struction of the road until through line is
completed.
Therefore, the suggestion of the Globe
Democrat that if aid is given to build the
road East from Fort Worth that it should
be entitled "An act to discourage private
enterprise" is equally pertinent relative to
building the road west from Fort Worth
The Southern Pacific Company has, with its
own capital, built over seven hundred miles
of the most expensive part of this road, and
stand ready to build the balance withou,
subsidy, and offer to pro rate with all con
Meeting roads, and to become subject to al
the terms of the Texas and Pacific bill.
Call the roll, and let the people see wh'
are willing to give away millions of thei
money without the least corresponding
benefit.