South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-05-21
Hon. B. F. Martin vs.. subsidies.

AAS hUh. benjamin r.. Martiu las
been assailed at homo for As Sopposi--
non to subsidies and for the intSolisc :
ton OF resolution in the House de-
manding that the lands granted to rail-
roads which have been forfeited by them
through nonrconpliance,v With tho con-
drions ofthe giants. shalt Be retnrned
4 "a Tue <SoverBWent- There have been
no acts iI the public careers or any men
In the past history OF the country that
entitled them to greater public commen-
dat'on than those OF Mr.. Martin above
referred 10 and which are insiduously
condemned by aspirants for bis position.
The attack emapates, from friends
Of the Texas Pacific subsidies, and pro.
ceeds on the false assumption that it il
road being constructed to subserve
and develop Southern interests, while
the truth Is that corpof atoms having
their headquarters in New York, owning
end controlling great and continuous
lines OF railroad to 81. Louis, and from
st. Louis west OF the Mississippi River
and the States OF the South to Fort
Worth in Texas, are TO be- tho real IN.
efciaries. 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 tho Texas
and Pac. 6c railroad 10 mako their North.
eastern property more valuable and
build into greater proportion monopo-
lies that already endanger the public
safely.
The Texas Pacific railroad is in no
way Southern enterprise. By It's con-
ncctlons it runs around the Southern
States Ella st. Louis and New York, anil
its construction without competing lines
across the same parallel from the Pacific
Ocean, would result in lasting injury to
every Southern State cast OF the Miss
issippi River. Nor is this all !; q great
trunk line is now being constructed by
private enterprise from San Francisco TO
connect with roads running TO New Or
leans. Already some ! 200 miles OF
the Southern Pacific has been completed
without did from the Government. The
intent, object and interest OF this road
II to build up tho States of the South
and to encourage and develop the
Southern railroad interests. They have
no controlling interest in New York, 4
will OF necessity, establish great rail-
way system across tho Southern States.
The managers OF the Texas & Pacific
railroad use all the power OF their gian,
cooperative monopoles in New York
TO embarrass and harfass this Southern
enterprise, built by private capital, and
are ut tho same time Demanding South.
ern support 10 secure government aid
for Lhe con siruCtion Of line thousand
miles away from their doorways. The
man who advocates, Texas and Pacific
schemes Is an enemy OF our section and
IS seeking to erhbarrass tho only road
from the Pacific that really looks to our
benefit.
The resolution introduced by Mr..
Martin, requiring the return to the Gov.
eminent OF lands granted in aid OF rail-
roads and which have been forfeited by
noncompliance with the conditions OF
their grants, was the exercise by him
OF the very highest public duty When
the grants were made inducemcnt to
capital for construction was popular.
AMI had some Justification There can
be no Justification for the demands of
the Texas Pacific railroad now, for pri.
vate capital has constructed line on
the same parallels.
The failure to legis!ato TO return these
lands to the Government is a shameful
public outrage, which. If understood by
the people, would subject its advocates
to condemnation aud disgrace. The
time has passed when any respectable
member or Congress dare vote away the
public domain or public treasury in aid
OF private monopolies. Every v9ta ex-
tending their time for construction is in
legal effect, new grant or land and is
rs vicious and violative OF the public
will as the support or q new scheme in
the interest of lanl grabbers.
The extent Of these grants forfeited
10 the Government. must be understood,
TO give force to Mr.. Martins resolution
and the Importance OF action upon il :
They exceed l00,000.000 acres. repre-
senting. if in body. create geosraph.
ic area than the States OF East and
West Virginia. Ohio and Indiana. com
bincd, AMI embracing great amount OF
the very best land on the continent
Until this or some kindred resolution
is passed, this land is not subject Go
sale, entry, presumption, or homestead
ing. The railroads 20 whom they were
originally granted have no more legal
or equitable right TO them than the Ca.
OF Russia or the King OF the Canniba
Islands. They are forfeited TO the
Government and ere the property Of Tho
people. The failure TO so act Chat tl,e
people can onjJy them, is an outrage
as fragrant "a ever disgracol our annals
Their present money value is from FIVE
hundred millions to ono Thousand mill.
ions or dollars.
Our Representative entitled 10 the
lasting gratitude or his con stituency and
his countrymcn throughout our whole
extent FOR bis energetic advocacy Of The
adoption Of the resolution, and his @.
qually energetic opposition TO subsidies
however disguised. -Bovorly, Rea "a.
Enterprise.
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