The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-05-20
STOP SUCH PROFLIGACY.

''sour grapes" and really did not
mean, as did Governor Coke, not long
after he was inaugerated, what he
said. But it is curious to look into
the history of the Texas and Pacific as
a trans-continental road, and see how
dilly-dallying upon the question of
subsidies has probably affected Its con-
Had the Texas and Pacific
Company, since it was formed, pursued
a similar course to that followed by the
Southern Pacific railway, it would
long since have reached Its terminal
point on the Pacific coast. Long years
ago it was claimed in the interest Of
trsns-c0ntInentsl line, that the govern
ment should aid IN its construction, and
it was done, and ever since this we
have seen the plea presented that the
government owes it to build up COM
peting lines. As Col. Scott expresses
himself, it were best that the trans-cOn-
tinentsl system be now left to take care
ofitself. A bill has lately been presented
In Congress calling for forfeiture of
all lands held as reservations for trang-
continental ines that have not COM
Piled with the provisions of their char
tiers, but the same bill provides that
the lands shall be sold and the pro-
ceeds applied to the construction of
these same roads for which the lands
were reserved. The Northern Pacific
and the Texas and Pacific, however,
are not satisfied with even this friendly
legislation, and insist that the lands
shall still be reserved for their control,
and their old charters extended so as
to give them time to build under their
provisions. In the mean time it is be-
ing demonstrated that private enter
prise may be depended upon to build
trans-continentslr railways, and the days
of subsidies for ouch purposes should
have an end. A bill now before Con-
gress gives the Texas and Pacific COM
pany ak years further time to complete
its road from Marshall, Texas. to the
Pacific, and of course reYives and con.
tinues the grant of land, 25, 600 acres
for every mile of road, subject to the
right of actual settlers on such land to
purchase certain quantity thereof at
fixed price. The company has con-
structed about one-seventh of its road,
from Marshall westward, and for this
and for the remainder of it's road, yet
to be built within Texas, it receives
from the state of Texas large quanti-
ty of land. II the bill pass, the effect
of the law would be to confirm the
grant to the company of public lands
beyond the state of Texas, on the line
beyond FL Paso to the ocean. This in
cludes lands on the line as laid down
across the whole territory of Arizona,
where not spadeful of earth has been
turned by the company or a single
thing done to perform the agreement
by which it secured the grant, while
across The territory of Arizona a rail-
road has been nearly finished. The
Southern Pacific Company has laid its
tracks substantially parallel with the
route of the Texas and Pacific Comps-
ny, and not far from the tracks of the
latter company, should Its tracks ever
be laid. 1t is asserted that within
three hundred days the Southern PACT
fic will haYe its. road In running order
from Yuma, at the western lire of Arr
IONA, to FL Paso, on the Rio Grande.
1t does. seem to US that no conceivable
ground of public policy can be present
ed why subsidy to build q railroad
where one is already built should be
granted. 1t is pertinently said, thai
the argument for railroad subsidies il
that they will open new regions for set.
Element by our thrifty and energetic
population and contribute to the wealth
of the nation the products of hitherto
unoccupied lands; but what becomes
OF the argument when these regions are
already opened9 Does not the conten'
ton grow ridiculous when 1t is seer
that the passage of the bill will actually
postpone the occupation of the lands,
to which an eager population may b'
admitted by means of the road already
builtl Finally, is not the browning ab
surdity fastened upon the whole dis
cussion by the fact that the road a.
ready built has not cost the govern
ment an acre Of land, and that not al
sore is asked for 1t. while for.the road
which is not built the government il
asked to give millions of acresg Tit
bill before Congress Is opposed BY TIT
Southern Pacific Company on th'
ground that it does not desire 10 en-
counter rival in the field which it hs
already worked, rival which shall re
ceive government aid where itself Sc
cures no aid. Tue case Of the North
ern Pacific road is a similar one, pr
Yste enterprise proposing to build, ant
now really building line alonl
its western route, while it asks enor
nous subsidies from the government
do what Others would do with privat
means. In Texas We have been prom
ised = Subsidized Pacific railway 10
twenty years. and while this one In
been dragging along Its slow course
the Southern Pacific comes thunderiD
along from CAlifornis, promising j
eighteen months to give Is . res
Southern line. This road win com
on to San Antonio. and theme
lis win have its connection
our own gulf COST. and I
New. Orleans and the whole sOuthsr