The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-03-04
THE NEW ORLEANS PACIFIC RAIL
ROAD SUBSIDY.
No u

Editor nefnot7nt- Although our views uppn
state 70 The amount Of sa,ooo 900 to mid III the
construction OF the above road are dramatically
opposed TO each other. vet, with no iess conn.
dsnre On that account. do ask the insertion of
the following communication. Your exceed
inply liberal course in the past warrants the
ths WOW N he noe rsess s
portanee Of the subject alone induces me 70 lay
nv views teiore the public. II the act OF our
f,rnsed by the Senate and receives the signature
of the Governor a precedent will be established
which ia my opinion will render MI hope Of the
resuscitaton OF this state. during the life OF the
youngest person now living, utterly abottise.
Governments we're not instituted for the pur-
pose Of aid,ns private enternrsSes AZ The pubic
expense. They cannot tightfulip exercise such
functions, and the attempt is not only fraught
With evil ae precedent but never accom-
sss ne sps IN sw ea msns F fyss e hs
we'll authenticated instance of government
rendering q people more prosperous hy direct
too much to say that all auch LEGISLATION. In
stead OF promoting the end Intended. has inva-
riably the contrary effect because the assistance
OF government is never iayoked IN aid OF 2 pay
Ing enterprise, tas Ii can always command caps
tail, but. On those which will be In all human
probability unremuneratiye. The functions OF
more. anmtsed evl is The consequence.
perhaps nineteen -twentietba OF tho uuttes Of
government, Ia certainly followed by the pros
perity OF the people, unless war, q bad soil or
climate. and dense population, prevent It.
Security Of property Ia not effected by the sup
preston of crimes against this institution 30
much az by the lightness OF the burdens
which government imposes TO deray
the expenses of protection. In other words.
nothing renders property 50 insecure, or mill
.ates aganst nrosperity 90 much as onet9Ms
ais society can easily protect itself. bus when
government ia the robher, and exacta more than
Che natural increase of properly for the pur-
pose OF protecting it, the people will not only
decrease in prosperity but will eventually be
involved in universal bankruptcy and utter
restitution.
On principle. then | am opposed to the levy
ing OF any contribution granting subsidy or
pedgns the etedl. "a me ssa ~ mHst
any Industrial or private enterprise whatever,
IA, ia doing thia. government goes out Of its
sphere and not only fails to accomplish its
object but. az before said increases the evil
which IL attempts to remedy.
Ii the credit OF the state, or legislative aid In
any shape Ia extended TO this road. under what
Plea or protext can 1t consistently be refused to
any other road or roads which the Imagination
the pnbic welfareY With this az a precedent.
could subsequent legislatures refuse 60 sub
sidtge any line of packets or railroads running
open The door for for this railroad to pass
through how can 1t be closed against tho add
mission OF any undertaking which, In the opin-
ion OF some--perhaps interested men-may be
of public advantage. Thus security of property,
the primary function of government, will be
entirely DESTROYED. and with the destruction OF
property government and civilization must go
down In one common ruin. Again. this bill ia
for special not a general purpose; il confe1s
advantages for special object. and is In that
on principle highly objectionable, But worse;
ii is special legislation to aid private enter
prise-to assist certain men engaged In n bust.
ness which threatens without State aid to be
unremuuera,ive Ia this a legitimate purpose
OF legislation L. this one Of the duties of gov
ernmentY
Again all private bills of this kind are highly
Questionable as a few persons will have a spe-
ciai and direct interest in their passage. while
the great mass of the people have only an indi-
rect and remote interest in opposing them:
and IL Is notorious that ten men who have
special interest to promote in opposition to
the general interests of the State, will for OBJ
vious reasons, exhibit an energy and exert an
influence that will accomplish their ohje /. un-
less the legislative body IS composed in the
When government SO far forgets itself az to
grant bonus subsidy or loan TO assist pri-
vate enterprise. that moment bribery in its
various forms exhibits itself not always by
a direct pecuniary .recompense, but often by
caiolery. faattery and the alurements of social
Intercourse.
What have been the grievances which War
moth, Kellogg and their coadlutors inflicted
upon this peope2 Through what means were