The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-07
Pacific Railroads.

1t Is not the business OF our Government
to build railroads; and corruption and waste
invariably follow all connections Of Govern
ment with private corporations. Under war
pressure the Union and Central Pacific Rail
roads were constructed at public expense
for private benefit and now they constitute
huge monopoly. plundcring the commerce
OF the country with greed surprising that
Of the mother OF the horse lecch The scan
dnls attending the building OF these rail
ways, which besmirched the characters Of
many prominent men, are too we'll known 10
require any new comment here.
Several years since the Texas Pacific
scheme, so called was brought before Con-
gress by Col. Tom ScoTT. 1t contained all
the Credit Mobilicr denominations Of the
Union and Central. Useless branches,
doubling the mileage and cost OF the main
line, were asked for; and inside construction
companies would have rcaped n rich har-
vest. This scheme has been rcpudiat ID by
Congress repeatedly and wisely; and we
are now informed that TON SCorrs original
plan has been largely shorn of its more
Objectionable features, though we are not
advised OF the details Of the bill which has
been prepared in his behalf; but SO far as lac
Is concerned, 1t makes little difference what
they are. Not cent of the public money
should be given to him.
Yet the South, with Frustrated industries,
and recently ravaged by pestilcnce, calls
loudly for aid 10 secure some share OF the
transcontinental traffic. A benefit TO South
ern trade means n benefit TO all, and equity
would seem TO demand a patient hear
ing for the claims Of that portion Of the
country, provided they are brought forward
under appropriate and reasonable conditions.
And while we hold to the opinion that no
Government subsidy, even In the form
OF a loan Of the public credit. ought to
be granted, we have no objections tu telling
our southern friends what are the ncces-
sary limitations within which alone thcrap-
plication might properly DO listened to and
considered.
|. II there is TO be any loan of Govern
ment credit. it must be vigorously restricted
To the trunk line from Fort Worth TO the Pa
cilic. No branches whatever can be included.
ii. Onc-fourth Of the cost Of construction
and equipment must be paid by the company
out Of its own actual capital.
III. The real cost OF the work must be
ascertalned 10y officers Of the United States
i-hS llictI NoIpS, appointed lOf Inat purpose,
and the Government aid must be confined
to thrcc-quarters of that cost.
" The Government must hold a first
mortgage on the road and plant
V. All the public lands granted must re-
vert to Government control, 50 as to be sold
TO actual settlers.
VI All earnings FOR Government trans
portation must be retained in the Treasury.
We think that bill carefully drawn and
containing these features, and really pre-
sentcd in behalf OF the Southern people and
as an antidote TO JAY GoULDs monopoly
would bio entitled TO respectful consideration
and in Difference to a large public sentiment
it should be thoroughly debated. If defeated
on its merits, troublesome question will
he removed from Congress; and then our
fellow citizens Of the South cannot COM
plain that they have been refused a hearing.