The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-12-02
RAILROAD COMBINATIONS ON FOOT

A gigantic railroad combination
is reported, in which Gen. Grant ap-
pears prominently as probable fig
urehead. To start with, the motion
lately made before Justice Miller, of
the Supreme Court, in behalf of the
directors of the Missouri, Kansas &
Texas railway, asking for the d 9
charge of receivers appointed some
years ago for said road, and for its
restoration to stockholders, has been
granted. Ii was shown that the mon
ey to meet oil obligations concerned
in the litigation was on deposit at
the command of creditors, and that
the company only awaited relief
to pursue immediate activity in
building into Texas and toward the
Rio Grands. II is proposed, too,
and the necessary arrangements
have been partly made, to CONSOLE
date with the Missouri, Kansas &
Texas. the Missouri Pacific. the
Texas & Pacific, and their various
branches and feeders. which would
carry the consolidated line tu the
Gulf of Mexico and the Rio Grande
on the south and the Pacific Ocean
on the west, and to continue the
line to the City of Mexico. This is
Mr.. Jay Gnnld,s schnnln-A-A itvruU--
cessful accomplishment would in
clude in the combination the Wa
bash system. connecting the Kansas
Texas line at Kansas City and st.
Louis with the lakes and with the
Northwestern States and territories
by means of the Union Pacific COM
bination. 1t is understood that the
main object of the pending efforts to
consolidate the Central Pacific with
the Union Pacific is to bring the
Central Pacific into this grand COM
bination, and thus practically con-
troll the railways of the entire con-
tinent west of the Mississippi, and
south to the very heart of Mexico.
These are the plans, as it appears,
now laid by the most power
full railroad organizer of this
country, and, since among railroad
men it is recognized that in union
there is strength, it is reasonable
to suppose these powerful combina-
tions will be accomplished. At a
meeting of stockholders of the Mis-
souri,, Kansas & Texas, held at Par
sons, Kansas. a few days ago, a prop
osition was presented, and it will be
carried ont, to issue $25, 100000 of
stock in addition to the existing cap
ital stock of the company, and an
other proposition will be submitted
for the issue of general consolida-
tion mortgage bonds upon the fran
chises and property of the company
to secure the contemplated issue of
$45, 10000 of bonded debt now out
standing, and to enable the company
TO extend its lines by construction or
acquisition to the City of Mexico.
Another part of the general plan is
to make Gen. Grant president of the
consolidated company. first, because
of his alleged ability to direct such
gigantic enterprise, and, secondly,
because it is believed that Gen.
Grant would be able to secure from
the government of Mexico every
concession necessary TO extend the
road into the states of that country.
Jay Gould and the persons manage
ing this scheme have been working
at il for some time. Mr.. Gould's re-
cent visit 10 Texas had reference 10
the matter, while Col. Thomas A.
Scott has lately been here TO further
The enterprise. The charter acts and
various laws of Congress relating TO
The Pacific railroads have been care
fully examined and the railroad bu-
Eeau of the Interior Department has
been consulted, and it has been as
certained that there is nothing i'm
the laws to prevent the contemplated
consolidation, nor would the inter-
ests of the government a. a creditor
OF the several railroads. included
in the scheme, be in any way
prejudiced thereby. In these plans
for consolidation the financial
interests Of great railroad man
ayers are 10 find protection. and
advancement, but, while they may
thus be enabled to protect them
selves by the maintenance of good
tariff rates. il must be remembered
that the millions being expended in
these enterprises viii add billions to
the material wealth of the South
west. Thereby the frontier line of
Texas IL 70 be Immediately pushed
back 10 Preside del Norfe, and while
Texas advances with nnequaled
prosperity, Mexico viii be overrun