National Republican., 1888-01-06

the gross earnings at the present rate would
produce II per cent. interest per anuum on
this SUM, soon to be Increased to 3, 4, and
possibly per cent.
Again, why not take the ROAD beds and
pay for themp We expend millions every
year to improve rivers for the benefit Of
commerce-to secure the transportation OF
the products Of one section to the people of
another-why not construct great iron
river from the shores OF the Pacific to the
valley Of the Mississippi
A great double track railway across this
portion Of the continent, open to all trains
upon the payment of toll sufficient to pay
the expenses Of management and repair,
would be an enterprise worthy OF this great
nation, and would give the lowest possible
transportation rate both for the long and
the short haul.
The companies as organized would retain
their rolling stock, workshops, and other
property, and the government acquire the
road beds, bridges, and terminal facilities,
and, after making double track, let these
companies or any other send trains over the
line, OF course under proper rules TO insure
safety. The eastern terminus OF this iron
river would be In the valley OF the Mlssis.
sippi, where plenty Of railways connect
with 1t to carry of all its trains and their
cargoes.
: These plans and the one submitted by the
commission may all be considered, but as
the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN, on the 18th OF
August last, In discussing the action Of the
commission and the rights of the railway
company, said "these rights are the subject.
OF judicial inquiry, definition, and enforce.
ment, but not Of Congressional inquiry,
definition, or enforcement.
"This inquiry cannot be justified as an ex.
cuse for changing contracts as they now
exist, for Congress has no power to change
a contract once made. Hence IL is clear
that the only legal investigation that can be
made between the government and the
Pacific railways is a judicial one, in which
the procedure is fixed, orderly, and Goa
elusive when completed.
'lf Congress desires to repeal and declare
forfeited the charters OF the Pacific rail-
waye, and is searching for evidence to
justify such repeal and forfeiture, the
answer is that the right to repeal is absolute,
II provision therefor be 10 the charters,
otherwise not. II forfeiture OF the
charters is the object such forfeiture can
be declared only after judicial investiga-
tlon before court, wherein the cause OF for.
felture must be first alleged, and proved as
alleged. This commission can have no greater
power than is possessed by Congress, were
1t in session and engaged In the investlga-
ton now being conducted by the commits.
sion.n
In the end the courts must control, and,
so far as the Central Pacific Is concerned,
hardly any states rights Democrats would
claim the power to forfeit charter granted
by the state of California simply because
the United States had entered into con-
tract with the company. But any plan that
is conceived In honesty and justice and
carried out In fairness will be accepted by
the railways and indorsed by the people.
Whatever is done toward a settlement OF
the relations which now exist between the
United States and the Pa,'c railways must
be done by negotiation :cs by attempted
legislative or executive coercIo1, 10 under
the existing conf; = thn Judicial y 7er OF
the government will u qussi NAH protect
the railways In their vested lights, and at
the came time rebuke the attempt Of the
other departments Of the government to
usurp judicial attributes and power.
The proposition Of Mr.. Pattison will be
with the contc 800 and the people
rnth,n" h rne Go. contempt they daseyye, They are
balanced by too vaulting ambition. super
lnuuceu Dy unexpected ar I'D
promotion. Tbo- o.
upon the writ
ignorant,