The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-03-16
The Texas Pacific Land Grant.

The passage by Congess fthe bill de-
olaring the land grant to the Texas &
Pacific Railway company forfeited, has
been to some extent regarded az an an
ti-mouopoly victory. IL is well, how
ever, to examine closely into the history
Of and facts connected with this land
grant before pronouncing tho passage
Of the bill legislative triumph over cor
porate influences. In 1871 Congress gave
60 the Texas n Pacific Railway COM
pany the right Of way for its road
through tho territories of New Mexico
and Arizona, together with grant of
ands adjacent to the proposed line
within tho two territories, estimated TO
consist of about 100000 acros, tho
grant being conditioned upon tho con-
Struction through those territories of
The company's main limo of road from
Marshall, Texas, to San Diego, Cal,
within five years Of date of its passage,
which time was subsequently Increased
by five additional years. IL must b.
porne in mind In connection with tn
whole subject that the lands of tn
Texas 4 Pacific company within tn
state Of Texas are derived from tho
grant ofthat state, and its title TO them
~ In no wise affected by tho action OF
congress.
Tho Texas 4 Pacific built portion of
It's line In the state of Texas, and in 1873
stopped construction, owing to the
panic. II then appealed TO con-
gress Tor aid similar to that
granted the Union and Cen
tfal Pacific roads, In the shape of gov
ornment guarantee of its bonds. In
this II found a strong opponent in the
Central Pacific interest, and Mr., @, p,
Huntington, then building the South
ern Pacific railroad of California,
from San Francisco to Fort Yuma.
They declared themselves ready TO
construct their road through the gull
Underwater without any congressional
aid. The Texas n Pacific failed 10 so.
cure further national assistance, and
work was finally resumed on the road In
!sSO, which was pushed rapidly across
he state of Texas, Tho Southern Pa.
''ihc had, however, before this
reached Fort Yuma, and
under territorial charters was
pushing its construction through
Arizona and New Mexico. Accordingly,
when the Texas Il Pacific track rad
'eached point less than 100 miles east
~ lei Paso, the Southern Pacific WAS
competed To that point, and was build-
ing eastward through Texas 10 meet lis
EASTERN connection, tho Galveston,
harrisburg & San Antonio railroad. Al
ms Junctute Mr.. Gould, who had suc-
coeded the late Col. Thomas A. Scott i'm
mo control ot tho Texas Il Pacific, and
Nj. Huntington, as the high contracting
paruesi canlo To an agreement by which
ne construction of the Texas 4 Pacific
was arrested ~ point Where tho
road Joined the Southern Pacific
about 80 miles east of FL Paso, aud n ao,
CURED the right to run into that plnoo
over the latter's tracks. 1t was arreed
hat business should be pooled, and
that the Texas & Pacific
should not extend It's line west of
El PaSo. The agreement further trans
erred 10 the southern Pacific tho nm
earned United States land grant of the
Texas ~ Pacific, and Il Is tho attempts
10 carry out this portion of tho agree.
ment which have resulted In the pass
age OF the act OF forfeiture by congress.
IL will be seen from the above state
ment OF the facts that the claim OF The
southern Pscihc to enjoy tho land grant
rested on n slender Foundation. The
Texas u Pacific has never constructed
loot OF road In either Of the two
territories, while the Southern Pacific
mad ostentHtionsly proiessed its
ability to, and did aotualiyconstruc It's
road without any government nj what
ever. At the same time sho value of
the lands granted, consisting In the
main OF the southern Arlzona type, Is
problematlcal, and although sta.
ed by ardent champions OF tho
orieitufe measure 10 BIO upward OF