Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-10-24


1t is stated that there is every proba-
bility that there viii be biz fight in the
next Legislature over the resolution of the
| last Legislature by which the Marietta and
| North Georgia railroad was given over
| 100000. Well, there ought to be. IL is
difficult to see on what ground the l.egis-
lature rs justineG in turning this money
over to railroad company.
When the resolution making this dona-
ton was before the Legislature the MORN
ING NEWS opposed it, and pointed out to
the people that it was a scheme for the
benefit of a few men, the most Of whom
are not residents of the State.
There cannot be a doubt that 1t was
fully understood, and it is, therefore, all
the more strange that it finally passed.
What claim had this railroad company to
be relieved from the payment of over $780,
O0Oit owed the State? 1t pretended that the
State hadn't kept a certain agreement
with it with respect to convicts, and that
something was due it on that account.
Well, why didn't it get the Legislature
to grant 1t permission to sue the State if
it thought the State owed it anythingp
For the very good reason, doubtless, that
it was satisfied that no court in the State
would recognize Its claim. There ap-
pears to be plenty Of evidence to show
that it got all the State could legally con-
tract to give it long ago.
But it didn't depend wholly for re-
lease from its obligations upon any claim
it pretended to have against the State.
For tho 0onei1ora fiOn IF bai raIaaSad -
offered to complete the road to the North
Carolina line within given time, That
was a remarkable proposition. The
resolution granting the release was
passed and the State placed in
the position of making a dona-
ton OF a large sum of the peoples
money to corporation to induce il to do
what it was absolutely necessary il
should do to advance It's own interests.
In other words, the Legislature gave
more than $4,000 to a railroad company,
and it did this, although the compa had
no valid claim against the State, without
getting anything for the State that the
State would not otherwise have got.
Every right-thinking citizen ought to
feel 81 ateful to whoever has taken out the
injunction to restrain the State Treasurer
from carrying out the resolution OF re-
lease. Let the incoming Legislature have
a chance to inspect it and see whether or
not it shouldn't be revoked. 1t certainly
is clearly at variance with the constitu-
ton. That instrument prohibits the
State from making a donation, and this
release OF the Marietta and North Georgia
railroad from tne payment of its bonds is
clearly donation.
II the members OF the Legislature which
is soon to assemble, want to do their
constituents good service let them study
the facts, involved in the release of this
road from the payment of
large amount of money, closely. There
is not much doubt about the conclusion
at which they Will arrive.
II the people submit, without protest,
to the release OF the Marietta and North
Georgia railroad from the payment OF it's
bonds they might as we'll make up their
minds that the time Is not distant when,
through the efforts OF lobbyists, they will
have to pay the bogus Bullock bonds,
about which Clews & Co. are now making
so much noise.