Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1880-05-22
From the Randolph Enterprise.
Hon. 3. +. Martin VS.. subsidies.

The Hon. Benjamin f. Martin has been as
sailed at home for his opposition to subsidies
and for the introduction Of resolution 10 the
House demanding that the lands granted to
railroads which have been forfeited by them
through noncompliance with the conditions of
grants, shall be returned 10 the Government.
There have been no acts in the public careers
of any men in the past history Of the country
that entite them TO greater public common
dation than those OF Mr.. Martin above referred
to and which are insduousy condemned by
aspirants for his position. The attack ema-
mates from friends Of the Texas Pacific subsi-
dies, aud proceeds on the false assumption that
il is a road beiug constructed to subserve and
develop Southern interests, while the truth is
that corporations having their headquarters
in New York, owning aud controlling great
and continuous lines Of railroad 10 ST. Louis,
and from ST. Louis west of the Mississippi
River and the States Of the South to Fort
Worth ia Texas, are to be the real beneficial
ries. They own and control the Texas Pacific
railroad and their interest is to consolidate
these lines outside and west Of the boundaries
of the body of the Southwestern States with
the Texas and Pacific railroad to make their
Northeastern property more valuable and build
into greater proportion monopolies that al
ready endanger the public safety.
The Texas Pacific railroad is ia no way
Southern enterprise By lis Connections it
runs around the Southern States ria ST. Louis,
and New York, and its construction without
competing lines across the same parallel from
:be Pacific Ocean, would result 10 lasting in
jury to every Southern State east Of the Mis-
sissippi River. Nor is this all great trunk
line Is now being constructed by private en-
terprise from San Francisco to connect with
roads running TO New Orleans. Already 200
miles Of the Southern Pacific has been COM
ple;ed without aid from the Govetnmcnt.-
The intent, object aud interest Of this road is
to build up the States of the South and to en-
courage aud develop the Southern railroad In
terests They have no controlling interesta 10
New York, and will CT necessity. establish
railway system across the Southern States.
The managers Of the Texas & Pacific rail
road use oil the power Of their giant coopers-
tive monopolies in New York to embarrass
and harrass their Southern enterprise, built
by private capital, and are ct the same time
demanding Southern support to secure gov
ernmeD. aid for ,he construction Of line
The man who advocates Texas and Pacific
seeking 90 embarrass the only road from the
Pacific that really looks to our benefit.
The resolution introduced by Mr. Martin,
requiring the return 10 the Government Of
lands granted III aid Of railroads and which
have been forfeited by Noncompliance with
the conditions Of their grants, was the exer-
else By him of the very highest public duty
When the grants were made inducement to
capital for construction was popular, and bad
some Justification. There can be no jus,ifca-
tion for the demands Of the Texas Pacific rail-
road now; for private capital has constructed
q line on the same parallels
The failure 10 egislstc 10 return these lands
TO the Governmcn: is & shameful, public out
rage. which, II understood by the people,
would subject It's advocates 10 condemnation
and disgrace. The time has passed when any
respectable member Of Congress dare vote
away the public domain or public treasury 10
aid Of private monopolies. Every voto ex-
elding their time for constitution is, in legal
effect, new grant Of land aud Is as vicious
and violatve of the public will os the sup
port Of new scheme 10 the interest Of
land grabbers.
The extent Of these grants forfeited 70 the
Government, must he understood. TO give force
TO Mr.. Martins resolution and The importance
Of action upon il: They exceed 100. 100000
acres representing, il in a body. greater geo
graphic aren than the States Of East aud Yves,
Virginia Ohio aud indiana. combined. aud
embracing great amount Of the SeTy best
land or the Continent Until this or
sotne kindred resolution is passed, this land
is not subject TO sale. entry, prescription, or
homcsteain9. The railroads to whom they
we're originally granted have no more legal or
equitable right TO them than the Gar Of Rus
STA or Che King Of the Cannibal Islands. They
are forfeited to the Government and are the
property Of the people. TIE failure to so act
that the people can enjoy them is an outrage as
fragrant as ever dsgroced our annals Theii
present money value from five hundred mil
lions to one thousand millions Of dollars.
OR Representative i. entitled 10 the lasting
gratitude Of his constituency and his country
men throughout our whole extent for his ener-
getic advocacy Of tho adoption Of the resolu
ton, and hiSequally energetic opposition 10
subsidies. however Disguised.