Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-02-01

WASHINGTON, January %, 1879.

My DEAR SIR: learn, Oy ulspatch
in the newspapers, with some surprise,
that our Legislature has passed reso-
luton instructing the Senators, and re-
questing the Representatives, to vote
for the Texas Pacific Railroad Subsidy
Bill. am so confident that this must
have been done inadvertently, or at least
upon very imperfect knowledge OF the
facts, that | venture TO address you in
regard to two or three points en- the
general subject. in the hope that you at
least may not allow this decision to
stand without batter understanding OF
/ the questions involved.
First. 1t should be known to our
people that the Texas Pacific Bill, as re-
ported from committee, calls for the en-
dorsement Of the United States upon a
minimum amount of s3S, 100000 Of the
bonds of that company running fifty
years, and bearing five per cent inter
est in gold, thus binding the Treasury
to pay out to capitalists Sl,937, 500 in
| gold annually, or an aggregate OF near
ly $97,000,000 in all, for interest. The
bonds are upon 400 miles of road and
are at the rate of 100000 per mile tor
the easy portion, and $4,000 per mile
for the harder portions Of the route.
This is more than enough TO build and
equip the road at the present low prices
OF labor and material, and it will leave
a large profit to the builders without
requiring them to put in another dollar
Of their own money.
Second Col Scott, the President Of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
and of several tributary concerns be-
tween Pittsbnrg and st. Louis, is also
the President and Chief Manager OF the
Texas Pacific. There can be no doubt
| think, Of his purpose to make the line
from Northern Texas 10 the Pacific sub
sidary and snbseryient 10 his roads
north OF the Ohio riyer-lhat is his
great motive in getting up this scheme
to make the government build more
roads to feed his oyerCrown monopoly.
West Virginia has nothing to hope for,
but much TO lose, by the adoption of
such a policy. Neither of the great
trunk lines which cross her territory
need expect to get passenger OF car
load of freight destined 10 or from the
Far West, if Col. Scott and his allies
control both the Atlantic and Pacific
ends of the through line. They will be
made to work into each others hands
in spite of statutory provisions. No set
of meu in the country ought TO be en-
trusted with go large aud dangerous a
power
Third. 1t turns out that one other
company, aud perhaps more, offer to
build all that is essential of this same
Texas Pacific road, either without aid
from the government or with very much
less, Gas you will see by the bill Of Sen
ator Johnston, of Virginia, enclosed
herewith,) than the sum asked by this
Texas Pacific Bill. For instance, the
San Francisco end Of this 32nd parallel
road across the continent, was original
ly required to be built by California
company, ard that company has already
in operation a continuous line from that
city nearly 500 miles eastward TO
the interior of Arizona. where it is rap
idly progressing, a mile day, average
of track being laid. Attracted by the
rich silver and gold mines of Arizona,
and backed by The rich mines OF Neva-
da and California, and her wheat fields,
these capitalists are now constructing
the western half of this railroad line in
order to accommodate such local traffic
as offers, and to participate in the
| through business. 1t is onl y reasona-
bic to suppose that the wealthy compa-
MES controlled by the Pennsylvania
magnates might, with like ease and pro-
priety, construct the eastern half across
the level plains of Texas. At least one
Texas corporation offers to build across
that State to a meeting point at Ell Paso
for a subsidy of $4,000 per mile, and
others would be glad TO do so along the
same route as the Texas Pacific, on the
same terms, without any utilization with
the lines north OF the Ohio.
Fourth. 1t will be seen, therefore,
that Congress is under no constraint to
vote this money, as the road is building
as fast as could he desired without re-
sort to this dangerous precedent. The
pecuniary assistance Of the Federal Gov
eminent has never, in all its history,
been invoked to assist internal improve
ments except on the ground that they
were Indispensable, aud were beyond
the scope and ability of the States, or
of associated capital. This enterprise,
of which more than half has already been
bui,t.without subsidy in credit, is evident
" not OF this class. On the contrary,it it
were once understood that the govern
ment was not going into the business of
building railroads, private capital would
be encouraged to step in and complete
it for the rewards which follow through
traffic.
Furthermore, and finally, You ought
to be aware that the people are watch
ing with attentive eyes whether the
Democratic party give promise of trust
worthiness in its charge OF the public
Treasury and the power of taxation.
The campaign of1S76 was carried on
the basis of no subsidies and greater
economy in administration and cores
ponding reductions of taxes. see no
benefit to the poor people of West Vir-
ginia from the increased yearly burden
of taxes to be laid on them for the ben
eft Of this Texas Company; and besides
there is no good reason why, if this
subsidy be granted, thousands of others