The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1878-11-21
CONGRESS AND THE SOUTH.
The Legislation Demanded. Status of
the Next Congress. Washington
Preparing 10 Receive 1t.

The Legislation Demanded. Status of
the Next Congress. Washington
Preparing 10 Rec GIVE 1t.
The next year or two of congress
sional legislation will be of vast i'm
portance to the South aud therefore
TO the whole county, and it be
hOOves the representative men and
commercial bodies of that section
to be up and doing. 1t is a fact
noIed by all that the South has not
received its due share OF public ia
vors or attention. In the matter of
aid to railroads, for instance, the
North has received five times as
much as the South, and the proper
ton for other internal improve
ments and for public works is IN
still greater proportion against the
South. Representative men from
all sections are now discussing this
subject in connection with proposed
legislation to promote business in
terests, and it is the universal opin
ion that now is the time for action
for the promotion of general pros
perity. And the question is, what
shall be done?
The South sadly needs and rich
ly deserves assistance in building
up her various industrial interests,
but two or three of great impor-
lance overshadow the many smaller
ones. The great wants are the re-
construction of the Mississippi lev
ees, the improvement of several of
the rivers besides the Mississippi
tor navigation, and the construction
of truly Southern trans-continent-
al railway. All these subjects
ought To be discussed and pressed
to early action by Congress. One
of them Is in shape now to com
mand the early attention of the Sen
ate. A committee of that body
near the close of the last session
reported bill to aid the Texas Pa
cific r. X. Company by guarantee
ing it's construction bonds in con-
sideration OF returning its land
grant to the Government, giving a
frs NJ ortgage on all its property to
secure the interest, and submitting
to Government control. This bill
was delayed because of the promis-
es of the so-calleG Southern Pacific
company of California to build
through to Texas at once; but now,
it appears, this promise was delib-
crate cheat, and the So. Pacific com
pany has combined with another
ring to make connection with a
road terminating in Kansas and
controlled by the Cen trail and I'm
ion Pacific mOnOpolIsts. The prom
Ises were made only to prevent &C
ton until the combination could
get more strength to defeat an indie
pendent line, and great deal of
money will be spent this winter to
prevent action again. The South
can defeat the schemes of these con
spiraLors If its representatives. stand
together and demand their rights.
If the proposed plan of the Texas
and Pacific bill does not satisfy
them, let them propose another, but
it will not do to divide upon trifles.
else the main object may be defeated
forever. Quick and heavy blows
must be struck in behalf OF a South
err railroad to the Pacific, and other
internal improvements in which the
South is Interested, or it will be too
late for their full benefits to be en-
joyed by the present generation.
Signs of preparation are visible for
the coming session, and scattering
members are putting in an appear
ance. In a few days Washington
will be attractive and lively as is
its wont in the winter season. The
House Committee on Appropria
tions will meet a few days be
fore the session begins to prepare
the business connected with the de-
partment estimates. They propose,
it is said to make the report earlier
than usual SO that the bills may
not have to be rushed through has
tily during the last hours of the
session. If they do, it will turn out
to be a great Improvement.
The question as to the status of
the next Congress will soon be set
tied. The Democrats will have a
majority of or in the Senate,
aud probably about the same mum
Der in the House above the Repub
licans ana Greenbackers. 1t will
be difficult Congress for the sue
cess of merely partisan legislation,
and will furnish occasions for sharp
contests between the
leaders. Many predict that the
new Congress will meet in extra SEES
sion in March, but why the Presi-
dent should call them together il
the business of the present session
is accomplished in the time al
lowed, it is difficult to understand.