The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1882-11-17
o CORRESPONDENCE n
Ed:. Deo.o rat.

Eds. Dema ,rat:
Ours 10 tine ,f many great soullsss
and graspis & corporations, and also Of
feverish ambition and unprincipled nc.
ton, in the e9deavor for wealth, on the
part of many individuals. In many
respects, the signs Of the times portend
evil. Much is said, land some of it,
truly. dOubsless,) in regard to buying
positions, political influence, and even
Legislation. We are told, that "honor
is often sacrificed to power. and man
hood fer Office" Thoughtful men are
anxious, as they see 10 much of corrup.
ton in high places, and the hsartless
hand Of power, extending and tighten
ing its grip.
But tho signs are not all dark. There
Is rauch of royal bencGcence on the part
Of wealthy men and many grand enter
priseS, even by corporations, for the dc.
velopment OF the country, and tho good
Of tho people nc large. There arc men
who are bending their energies and us-
ing their wealth 70 make corporate pow
er subserye tho general welfare. IL
seems 10 be such an enterprise M this,
in which Col. s. q. Elliott 10 engages,
and 10 which would call tho attention
Of tho people Of this Valley, and State
at large. Ths project is nothing less
than Ia. make one Of tho great railroads
Of the State perpotuelly serve It's educa-
tional and benevolent interesta. Never
waA a grander enterprise undertaken.
From speech delivered by the Colonel,
at Knox Butte, on the 18th Of March,
last, II seems that he ia,in large part the
real owner Of the o. d q. II r., and
that, for ten or twelye years, he has
been fraudnlently debarrcd from his
rights and interest in tho company. All
thoso years he has been battling bravely
against fearful odds for the recovery Of
his rights and property. In suit
brought by others OH purpose TO throw
him out Of the company, aud 30 TO keep
from him all that be had invested IN
tho road, Judgment was rendered in
his faver Of some $4,000. This was
IN the Supreme Court OF this State.
Said Judgment In lien on the read for
shat amount. The money IL ready, and
can DO had in settlement, but col. FL
lott prefers 10 let that judgment rest,
for the present, and press his suit fol
the fiih possessioa os the road, TO which
ho feels he il Justly entitled. If sue
ceasful in this. his purpose is 10 make
the road over, in trust, TO the State, 80
its profits shall 20 to the support Of iss
educational and charitable institutions,
instead Of into the pockets of railroad
kings. The following statement is from
bis speech referred to, page 90 al now
como forward aud mako this public
declaration which is, that il has been
my firm belief for many years past, that
railroads should be managed in the in
teress Of the whole people and, in
furtheranee Of this end, propose TO So.
lect, from the most worthy citizens Of
tho State OF Oregon, a number Of
men, aud make a deed Of trust, of
the right ] have in the railroad, 70
such persons, who will be required,
under the trust, 10 SO manage the
railroad, that Il will complete itself,
aud contribute TO the support sf the
common schools Of the State, and that
the two million acres Of land, already
received from ths general government
70 the railroad. DO SET part for school
purposes and that there shall bs et-
tablished university OF learning. which
shall DO maistained FROM tho earn.
inga Of tho railroad and also TO estab.
lish three charities one for deaf mutes
and blind, one FOR orphan children, and
one for aged INDECENT persons, and the
same to be supported At the ex.
pense Of the railroad" These are on.
ly part Of the benefits Proposed for
tho people. from this grand enterprise,
but enough to show its magnanimous
spirit, ani ~ inestialaJle tcorth 10 hs
people. Its author is comparatively a
stranger to the writer, but surely he is
entitled to the utmost sympathy aud
support Of the people Of this State for
whose welfare be is thus heroically con-
tending. II be succeeds, il will DO
great blessing TO them and 10 their chill
drsn, and lasting honor to aimsslf.
OREGON.
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