The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-06-07

elected to the United States Senate nat
ural aristocrat, who, as chairman Of the
railroad committee, favored the ambitious
schemes of Tom Scott, the great railroad 1
Waterford Express.
THE CLARION does not say that the
Democratic party has in every instance |
adhered to its anti-monopolistie profess
sions. No party, no more than any man,
has ever been perfect, because 1t Is
human to err, but We have spoken OF
the average conduct of the Democratic
party as being opposed to the ubiquitous
system of abusing the powers Of gov
eminent by granting favors to one class
to build up another under the forms OF
law. If the Democratic party should
ever become so loose in It's morals as to
tolerate this system, it viii cease to be
the Democratic party according to our
construction of the principles taught by
Jefferson and Jackson, and Benton and
Calhoun and Polk and other illustrious
men who have served the country in
their day.
We have not thought that any use
full purpose could be subserved by dis
cussing the significance Of the Senatorial
election by the last Legislature, but we
can say with emphasis that the election
to the Senate of an advocate Of the great
Texas Pacific Railroad by the Legisla-
ture did not indicate the least departure
from the anti-monopoiistic record Of the
democracy. We need not speak Of that
scheme in its sectional aspect, though it
commended itself to Southern favor as
Southern measure, and at the same
time as an essential national work. Our
contemporary, the Express, may not be
apyrized Of the fact that the originator
OF the scheme of the Texas Pacific Road
was himself a trne disciple Of the i'm
mortal Jefferson himself, the founder
Of the school of strict construction and
ant,-monopoly, name dear to Missis-
sippians. Hon Jefferson Davis, who,
as Secretary of War during the admins
tration Of President Pierce, recon-
mended and directed the first survey of
the line Of the Texas Pacific and de-
monstrated its advantage and necessity
: as a great national work, That wing of
the National Democratic party which
nominated Stephen A. Douglas for the
Presidency in 1860, adopted the fol-
lowing resolution as part of their plat
form:
Tina; one Of the necessities of the age, in a
military, commercial and postal point OF view,
: i speedy communication between the At
lant:c and Pacific States and the Democratic
party pledge such constitutional government
aid as such viii insure the construction of
railroad to the Pacific coast at the earliest
practicable period.
And the division Of the National De
mocracy which nominated John c.
Breckenridge for the Presidency in the
same year, adopted the following reso-
luton ola similar purport
Whereas. one of the greatest necessities of
the age, in a political, commercial, postal,
and military point of view, is q speedy com
munication between the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts; therefore be it
Res0Lecd, That the National Democratic par
ty do hereby pledge themselves to use every
means in their power to secure the passage OF
some bill, to the extent of the constitutional
authority of Congress, for the construction of
Pacific railway, from the Mississippi River to
the Pacific Ocean, at the earliest practicable
moment.
From the Democratic record as thus
made on the Pacific Railroad question,
the Express must admit the majority of
the Legislature made no departure if it
be assumed that the election of a
champion of the measure was an en-
dorsement of the scheme.
But possibly the Express will answer
that it is not the indirect endorsement
of the scheme that is Objectionable, but
that a Senator was chosen who in re-
porting bill, to carry it into effect,
did not recognize the essential Demo-
cratic principle that corporations are
superyisable by the legislative authority
in the interest and for the protection of
the people, and failed to incorporate
this essential provision in the bill which
he reported. IF go, our contemporary is
egregiously at fault as he will discover
i by referring to the report of Mr. Lamar
/ from the Committee on the Pacific
Railroad, january oath, 1877, accompa-
nying the bill the passage of which was
recommended by the Committee. To-
enlighten our friend on this point, VIC
will reproduce an extract from the
report embodying the very essence of
the Democratic principle of Corporation
Supervision by the Legislative Depart
ment:
I As to the interests of the people, it will be /
observed that the bill makes it impossible for
the trunk line to become n monopoly strong
enough to sacrifice local interests, for every
local connection has the right, under the pro
visions Of the BILL to use the trunk line as if /
it were in fact part of it. and this rights
capable of legal enforcement. 1t viii be fur
Their observed that The bin proeides for control
By Congress orsr the rates for transportation of
freight and passengers and for postal and tsis-
graph service. Whether this control should be
absolute or limited by the phrase under gen
eral laws applicable alike to railroads aided
by the Government Of the United States"
was question grayely considered by the
committee. Without special and unfavorable
reference to other and previous legislation, il
is sufficient to say that in The opinion of the
committee this limitation seemed rather
confirmation and extension to this road Of
privileges and franchises hitherto uawisely
conferred, than a clear declaration Of power
on the part of Congress, which ought to be
carefully and judieiously exercised, but the
right to exercise 'ehich ought neither to be doubt
ed or crippled. The committee felt thar the
subject was delicate and difficult one. They
felt on the one hand that great enterprise, {
in which large private fortunes have been {
riSked shou1d not he of tho marcy Of enn-