The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-04-02

pany will have constructed 500 miles ofits
main line, and be operating a total Of l.
Oh miles Of railroad, for which 1t will not
have received an acre of land or dollar OF
money from the General Government,
Although the government has the same
privilege to regulate the rates for trans
portation, and the same right Of priority
Of the use OF all portions Of this road
for military and postal purposes, that the
the United States enjoys in regard
TO the Union Pacific and Central Pacific
roads, which were liberally aided from
the start. He pointed out that the re-
mainder OF the land, viz: 77s miles from
El Paso TO San Diego Is the only portion to
which the lands grant attaches. The 10
years fixed bv Congress for the compile
ton OF the road To San Diego, will expire
in 1880, but the company claims that mas
much as it suspended operations only
by reason OF the panic oil 1873, and the
general consequence OF that panic, and as
It will have invested SO, 600 600 OF private
capital in the enterprise before 1t reaches
the land grant at Ell Paso. The Justice OF
Congress may be confidently invoked to
authorize such an extension OF the time as
will enable the company to complete Its
work with proper economy and without
attempting to rush 1t through at an extray-
agant cost.
The bill entitled ian act to complete
the Pacific railroad system and tor other
purposes" reported 70 the House to-day
by Mr.. Chalmers, proposes radical de-
parture from all formed methods OF rail-
road legislation, and aims 70 complete the
roads mentioned and other projects Of
public improvements without entailing
any tax on the people or involving the
Government by the endorsement OF lail.
road bonds. Il proposes TO restore to the
Government 106, 800, 900 acres Of the pub
lie lands heretofore granted 10 the South
ern Pacific, Northern Pacific and the At
lantic and Pacific railroads, and from their
sale at an average Of g per acre TO realize
S213, ,000, 900, 10 be constituted q public
improvement fund, from which loans are
to be made TO these railroads upon certain
prescribed conditions. Provision Is made
not to interfere with the homestead entry
and at the same time to deal with justice
and equity with those companies who lost
their legal claims to their land grants dur
ing the great financial crisis.
THE coLoRED REPUBLICAN, PARTY OF MIS-
SOURI,.
A delegation OF colored men from st.
Louis, consisting Of ]. Milton Turner, ex-
United States Minister to Liberia, ]. I.
Smith, Charlton q. Tanney, ]. W. Wilson
and Alfred Carter, called upon the Presi-
dent to-day and represented to him that
the negro vote of the State of Missouri is
entirely misrepresented in official POSI-
tions in that State; that the negro and
German vote together comprise the bulk
otthe Republican vote OF the State; that
the negro vote amounted to 40, 900 and con-
trols 2 II not 8 Congressional districts;
that II the President would elevate
colored man to responsible official posi-.
ton in Missouri It would reunite the
colored people, who are now disaffected
on account Of having to carry the burdens
OF the party without recognition.
The President said he was in favor OF do
ing all he could for the colored people, and
gave Wilson copy Of the following let
ter to the Government officers, written by
himself:
MAY Z, 1877.
DEAR s1R.-The appointment Of colored
men to o'positions under you for which
they are qualified, will tend to secure to
their race consideration, and will dimin.
ish the race prejudice. Other elements OF
your population are, Of course not to be
overlooked. Subordinate appointments
should be arranged so as to harmonize
and meet the wishes and approval OF all
classes OF good citizens, and at the same
time promote efficiency in the service.
Very Truly Yours,
rSioned. r. b. HAYES.