The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1880-02-19
THAT RIGHT OF WAY.
A LETTER FROM CoxGREssMAN RYA,

WASHINGTON, February II, 1880.
To tie Editor If he Eagle.
\ recent issue of the Beacon contains
an article from the pen Of Judge w. P.
Campbell on the subject of right of
. way through the Indian Territory to
railway companies, which has suggested
to me the propriciy Of submitting few
observations through your columns, the
subject being an important one 10 my
constituents, and some Of the Judges
reflections and conclusions appearing to
me TO be without proper warrant.
In the first place, if Judge Campbell
were in Washington instead of Kansas,
and were he as ihorou shly advised Of the
temper Of Con Zress as he is Of the status
and progress of judicial administration
in his district, he would Hesitate before
expressing a confident opinion that any
bill allowing another railroad 10 be con-
structed through the territory can be
be passed through either branch of Con-
1fcs> al THIS session.
Ii Is easy 10 construct theories at
distance, and 10 base opinions upon
them: it is another matter TO meet ana
grapp.c with the facts. l say, irankl.
| having looked the ground over careful
ly, that it is extremely doubtful wheth-
or Congress, in its present temper, will
grant such authority to any enterprise
or 10 any sc: Of men. The reason is moi
hard to find. Whatever the newspapers
may say to the contrary. the opposition
to opening up the Territory to settle
meni is apparently as strong as ever
SO strong, indeed, that the opponents
OF that scheme, or mary OF them. view
with undisguised dislrusi any PROPOSE
lion which, in their apprehension, might
serve in the slightest degree AS all enter
ing wedge to that end.
SO much on the general subject. Now
rs TO the Young bill, of winch Judge |
Campbell is the earnest and able advo-
cate, and which he is SO confident couit,
be easily passed venture to place my
judgment squarcly against his, and 10
express the belief that the bill in ques-
lion would lave no earthly show OF be-
coming il law no matter how much sup |
pori j; might receive from Kansas.
have introduced Il bill which grants
to any railway company which con
siructs ITS line up 10 the borders OF the |
Territory, the authority TO have right |
of way through the Territory condemn |
ed to lis use, Judge Campbell seems to
regard this rs an iniquitotis proposition
or at least rs being solely designed 10
dc.ea, the Young bill, which seeks TO
/ vest this franchise in company of men
who do not own foot o! road and who
make no pretense of having or control |
ing the means to huild through The Ter |
ri,ory. La this connection beg TO re-
lnini the Judge that the bill introduced |
by me is exactly similar to one which |
had for some time been pending in the |
Senate, and which is being warmly sup |
ported by some of the ablest men in |
lha. body, so thai my action was in en-
tire accord with the Senate movement, |
whereas the Young bill is not. Let me
say that do moi doubt the sincerity OF
The Kansas advocates of this measure, |
bet it would be impossible TO convince
Congress that Job" is not hidden |
away Ia IL. or rather, IL aui patent on !
its face. Why not. il iliis valuable fran
elise Is To be given to favored iniividu-
Ms. select persons who are known to be
il condition. and 10 be willing to
i,Gild the road Whv. indeed. unless il
be part of the programme 10 put the
gentlemen named in the Young bill in
the way Of making profitable arrange
mcni with practical railroad builders!
Judge Ginpaei thinks this Till viii eX-
cite less opposition than mine because il
provides specifically for q single enter
prise. while mine looks to railway COM
petition in The Territory. This is ex-
ee,,es. IL theory. but il will be regard
ed as rather linpraeIioabio ty ~. nho
have learned that success in legislation
is not easily secured by ignoring or
striking down rival interests. The
railroads now constructed TO the boun-
daries Of the Territory arc controlled
hy eastern men and mainly owned by
New England capital Each of them.
the A.. I. 4 ;. f.. the H., l.. & &. and
The Little Rock and Fort Smith, is anx-
ioGs 10 be permitted to 90 through tine
Territory, tho L.. J.. & q. 10 tap West
ern Texas. and perhaps TO find an out
let 10 the Gulf These corporations
have powerful friends and alliances in
the locality whence has always come
the nio-, eersesp and ;hs most united
TO any ercroachneni on tie
Territory Would they be likely 10 SIT
quietly by and see their own claims ig-
noled, aud the authority given 10 a set 4,
OF men 10 enforce JerIrs against Them.
or one OF them. FOR their personal /
enolunent z Il wo,ld be Idle TO ex- |
pcct lat.
The Texas delegation will not support
tho iOun. scneIna, because tne lGas, far
which ii assumes to provide would be
OF no special advantage TO them, while /,
the franchise is sought in direct hostile
IS 10 the L., l.. l. g., whose extension
they most earnestly desire.
Nor are the Arkansas Senators and :
Representatives welded TO the Young
bill. % might be supposed. On the con
,rerv. they are inclined 10 diat,hs. tho
project as designed specially In the in
ierest of Memphis. They are anxious
10 build up commercial metropolis on
their own soil. which shall lay that por-
Iion of the Mississippi valley under con- /,
Irihuiion. and they claim that Helena Il +.
IS an elibible point, being below all the :
10 the navigation Of the -
river. besides being advautageously To- 4,
.s,ed 10 other respects. and less liable 7
han Memphis to the ravages OF yellow {
ever epiiemics. Doubtless Mr.. Young 7
: sincere in the advocacy of his bin 7
H. fa,t,..1.,l ,psa ta..,f