Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-01-25

SuDOrQlnated Its lien so another, IL
was IN the expectation shat the pr1cT
lien would represent iii its &mount only
such bonds as should be necessarily ls-
sued by the companies for the construc-
| ton OF their roads at lair prices, agreed
upon in al honest way, between real
and substantial parties.
For the purpose OF saving or improv-
ing the security afforded by its JUNO"
lien, the government should have the
right now to purge this paramount lien
OF all that is fraudulent, fictitious, or
unreasonable. If the transfer to inno-
cent hands of bonds of this character
secured by such first mortgage prevents
their cancellation, it might be we'll to
seek remedy against those who issued
and transferred them. If legislation IS
needed to secure such a remedy Con-
gress can readily supply it.
81 desire to call attention also to the
fact that all that was to be done on
the part of the government to fully vest
in these companies grants and advant-
ages contemplated by the acts passed in
their interests has not yet been per-
fected, and if the failure of such
companies to perform, in good faith,
their part of the contract, justifies such
a course, the power rests with the Con-
gress to withhold further performance
on the part OF the government If do
mated lands are not yet granted to these
companies, and if their viola
tons of contract and of duty are
such as, in justice and morals,
forfeit their rights to such lands, con-
gressional action should intervene to
prevent further consummatiOn. EXecu-
tive power must be exercised according
to existing laws, and executive discre-
l. H. 70
reach such difficulties.
''The California & Oregon Railroad is
now a part of the Central Pacific system,
and is land grant road. It's construc-
ton has been carried on with the same
features and incidents which have char
acterized the other constructions of this
system, as is made apparent an pages Is,
| 79 and 80 of the report of the
majority of the commissioners. |
have in my hands for approval the
report of commissioners appointed to
examine two completed sections of this
road. Upon such approval the COM
pany or the Central Pacific company will
be entitled to patents for large quantity
ofpublic lands. especially commend to
the attention of Congress this
con condition 3h,+ of affairs fairs d IN 0r,
save these lands for settlers, if such a
| course is justifable. 1t is quite time
| that the troublesome complications sur
rounding this entire subject which has
been transmitted to us as legacy from
former days should be adjusted and set
| tied.
mo one, [ think, expects that these
railroad companies will be able to pay
their immense Indebtedness to the gov
eminent at it's maturity.
"Any proceeding or arrangement that
would result now or at any other time,
in putting these roads or any portion OF
them in the possession and control OF
| the government, is, In my opinion, to be
ejected-certainly as long as there is
! the least chance for indemnihcation
through any other means.
81 suppose we are hardly justified in
indulging the irritation and indignation
naturally arising from contemplation
| OF malfeasance, to such an extent as to
| lead to the useless destruction of these
roads or the loss of the advances made
by the government [ believe that our
| efforts should be in a more practical dl-
rection, and should tend with no con-
| donation of wrong-doing to the cOllec-
| ton by the government on behalf OF
! the people, or Of the public money now
IN jeopardy.
"While the pan presented by a ma
jority OF the commission appears to be
well devised and gives at least partial
promise of the results sought the fact
viii not escape attention that its success
depends upon its acceptance by the
companies, and their ability to
perform its conditions alter ac-
important that any adjustment
now made should be final and effective
These considerations suggest the posi-
biiity that the remedy proposed in the
majority report might wei be applied tC
a part only of these aided railroad com.
panies
THE settlement and determination OF
the questions involved are peculiarly
within the province of Congress; the
subject has been made quite a familiar
one by congressional discussion; this is
now supplemented in valuable manner
| by the facts presented in the reports
herewith submitted. The public inter
est urges prompt and efficient action.
"GRovER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Jan. II, 1885,"