The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1878-02-28
The ship Island, Ripley and Ken.
lucky Railroad.

This bill being under consideration in the
Senate on the 9th inst. Mr.. Terry said:
Mr.. PREsIDENT-In favoring the measure
now under consideration by the Senate, it be-
comes necessary for me to take more en-
larged view of my duty than might be expect
ed Of me by my constituents in the county OF
Benton, for the successful building of this
railroad, in my humble Judgment, may for
ever shut out my county, town, and bone from
railroad communication with the outer world.
Representing as do, two other counties, 1t
becomes nv duty to forget my own interests,
and divest myself CT all selfish considerations,
and only keep in view the interest of the ma
Tor part Of my constituency. Yea, more than
this, Mr. President [ represent upon this
floor not only the interest of the three coun-
ties named but must take even wider view
of duty, and feel that upon great question
like this must lay aside all local prejudices
and advocate tn ,se measures which would
bring the greatest good to the greatest num-
Der.
/ will not, Sir, touch upon the Con-
stitutional questions-if any there be
but will leave them IN ADLER
hands to be dealt with, | trust,
in such a measure as may remove the last YES,
tige of doubt from the minds of senators, who
like myself, are endeavOring honestly and
conscientiousy to discharge their duty to their
constituents consistently with their oaths to
L
Sir, in days gone by, two grand old parties
fought fierce, but manly battles, for the mastery
| Up0n the banner of one of these was inscribed
the words, internal Improvements" and this
banner was placed in the hands of such stand
ardbearers as Webster and Clay. l, Mr..
President, was an humble follower of these great
leaders, and the principles which they taught,
and the line of policy which they advocated,
was the faith Of my early manhood. II is but
natural then that l. taught in the old Wing
schools of the old North State, with CASTOR,
and Badger, and Graham as my teachers,
should fall into the channel Of my early polit-
ical training aud suppOrta project like this,
which, if successful, will do more toward ele-
waiting our State to responsibility and distinc-
ton among the sisterhood of Commemorative
than all the legislation Of all the Legislatures
that have assembled here in the last decade.
Sir, the success of this great enterprise is
the true solution 70 question which now agi-
tates the public mind, and which but few
DAYS since caused this Chamber TO echo with
the eloquence of Barry, of Reynolds and Of
West. The question, Sir, to which allude is
the right and duty Of the Legislature to regu.
late the tariff Of charges Of great railway cor
porations. Holding as do the affirmative Of
this proposition, | can consistently supper
this measure, for in its provisions this right il
: wisely reserved to the Legislature Of tn,
State.
In re erence to the wild lands sold to THU
: corporation they are, and forever will be, bar
! rem wastes unless this enterprise is successful
and they be made source Of revenue to on
State.
Under the present law, Sir, these swami
lands now for sale at twenty-five cents an aer
scarcely pay the cost Of sale, and oul,
serve as a medium to provide g sine
cure for certain State official, an
are eked out acre by acre, until the last sec
ton may be sold without replenishing th
: Treasury or bulldIngup the country.
Sir, cannot rise a just conception Of tn
: magnitude of the interest to our State invclv
: ed in the decision of this question Would
had the eloquence Of Prentiss to persuad
:. my brother Senators to rise above all locs
pFejudices and sink theirown ambitious aim
Y in one patriotic effort 10 develop and elevat
: our State. In my minds eye can see slon
:, the line, in those dense forests Of the long les
: pine, now only fit abodes for the owl and n
3 bat, beautiful hamlets and towns springin
up like magic, and with their busy whirl
J; machinery and their active trade, are builC
ing up a great commercial city, upon on
4 Coast, which, in its turn, will empty h
treasure of its revenue into the lap Of OF
8, State. Where, Sir, Is the city Of our State
Our commerce and industri. s. by our preseI
grand trunk railways, are used alone 20 bull
up the cities Of our sister state. Can we NJ
rise to the dignity Of ordinary business men
>. III will not say statesmen-and as the pal
agents Of Mississippi, take business view
the situation, and act for her as We would D
II for ourselves7
But, Mr.. President IL Is needless for me
. enter into the discussion Of the great result
u consequent upon the building Of this road, +
my hearers are composed of intelligent 81
able Senators who can see far beyond the ran
Of my limited ken.
1t has been whispered, Sir, that there e