The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-04-20
THINKS 1T PROPER.

San Antonio Times The Austin
STATESMAN is opposed to any plan
of districting the state which will
give the Republicans a chance to
carry any of the districts. We con-
| cur with the STATESMAN, if this can
be done without gerrymandering
| the state. If the state is districted
with view 10 the interests of con-
tiguous counties there will be no
chance for the Republicans to carry
a single district, but if the attempt
to carry out the plan to make GER
tain districts for particular congress
| sional aspirants succeeds, it will be
apt to work detriment 10 the best
interests of the state, and may re-
suit Ill giving to this state repre-.
sentation which will not be credit
| to Democratic state.
TWO SIDES TO THE QUESTION.
Mexia Ledger: If the state thinks
the railroads are getting the best of
the bargain, let her take reasonable
means to adjust the matter, giving
the roads their rightful voice in any
change to be brought about. 1t is
proposed 10 reduce the passenger
rate to three cents per mile and
| freight rate TO fifty cents per hun
dred miles for one hundred pounds.
Now, if the roads are allowed to
speak in their behalf, and can prove
that such a reduction cannot be
carried out III this state without
GRIPPING themselves, then the state
would do a great wrong in passing
such law. On the other hand, if
it is proved that the roads are gain
ing more in proportion TO capital in
vested than the state, then the latter
has the right and ought to interfere.
JUSTICE TO THE MASSES.
Sherman Courier: We are of
those who believe that the
country's greatest danger lies in
the uncurbed sway of gigantic cor
porations and monopolies, but hav e
no sympathy with those who believe
it a virtue to Cypress railroad
company. The advocates of the
policy indicated by these papers
would, as soon as all benefit had
been derived from the building of
these roads, grind them to the last
farthing possible under the law of
the land, and, but for the law, might
| demand the roads and their fran
chises in fee. There is a medium
position, where the expressions of
the people may be checked and the
rights of the corporations, at one
and the same time. We believe
| that roads here in Texas, where
their construction costs less per
mile, perhaps, than in almost any
state in the union, with their land
grants, etc, can better, or as well,
afford to carry passengers at the
moderate rate of three cents as can
the roads of other states. That five
cents is too high is attested by the
fact that railroads throughout the
land have conceded as much. JUS
tice to the masses, and at the same
time respect for the rights of the
carriers, argue strongly in favor of
the bill now pending at Austin.
ENDORSEMENT FOR THE STATESMAN.
Dallas Times: There is but
one thing for an honest leg
| irlator to do in this appor-
tionment business, and that is 10
exercise his best judgment in form
ing these districts. with reference
to the best interests of the different
counties. The ambitions of men
should not be thought of. The fact
that Wellborn and Mills, or any
other men, are members of congress
should be forgotten when consider,
ing the apportionment. Not a man
in congress now has ever done, or
will ever do anything great enough
to justify the legislature in cutting
MIN out district in order to give
him an Office. The people are in
terested in fair apportionment
made with reference to the interests
of the whole country. They. will
not forgive the servant who man
worships to the extent of trimming
his actions to the wishes of our con-
gresham. The sixth district, as
suggested by the Oxsheer bill, is a
good one. Outside of few ambiti-
Gus men, it meets with approval by
the mass of the people. If Wellborn
or Mills is slaughtered by it, either
of these gentlemen, if patriotic, will
be glad to be sacrificed when they
see it is done for the good of the
country which has, heretofore, so
highly honored them.