The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-13

fOllOWlnp are eNuacts from the ISSUE Oh
the Indianapolis Sentinel Of the ll'h inst,
the day Of James G. Blaines appearance
in Indianapolis:
HOW THURMAN ROUTED BLAINE.
Under the acts OF 1868 and 1864 the Cen
trail and Union Pacific railroad companies
received from the government, besides
large land grants, a loan of $50, 600, 900 in
government bonds, issued for thirty years,
bearing per cent interest, payable semi
annually. These bonds the companies
sold In the markets, and, without the
authority Of Congress, issued their own
bonds, secured by mortgage, equal in
amount to the government loan.
Up to the passage OF the Thurman bill
the government paid interest on the bonds
issued to the roads TO the amount Of $685.
600, 900, not a cent Of which could be col
lected from the railroad companies.
The bonded debt of the roads became
prime liens and at the expiration OF the
thirty years the government would have
10 lose the entire amount advanced to the
companies or take possession Of the prop
crty and assume the indebtedness con-
tracted by Gould, Huntington q Co. The
total Indebtedness up To 1883 10 the bond
holders and he government, exclusive of
the interest due, amounted to over $780,
100000.
In order to save the government this
vast sum OF money, Judge Thurman, Ms
chairman OF the judiciary committee, re-
ported a bill 10 compel these roads TO pay
up the interest due, and creating a sinking
fund with which 10 finally liquidate their
indebtedness TO the government
This was the last recourse for the gov
eminent TO rescue from the clutches OF the
railroad sharks millions Of dollars.
The whole power OF the railroad kings,
Gould, Huntington, Stanford and others,
was arrayed 10 prevent the passage Of the
bill. Jay Gould was there In person 10
direct the operation OF the lobby.
ON the floor Of the Senate Gould's
forces were marshaled by James q.
. Blaine; Observation-Disclosures
Thurman, Judge Edmunds, Joseph l.. Me.
Donald, u. W. Voorhees, aud thiriysX
others. The peoples cause was led by
Thurman aud Edmunds. A long debate
ensucd. in which Blaine led the opposition
10 the bill On being routed in every Skin.
mish. Blaine attempted 10 burn the bridge
behind Gould's retreat with an amend
mcnt, ingcniOusly constructed, which, II
agreed TO, would have defeated tine object
oi the bill.
But the old Roman came 10 the rescue
with his Gatling gun, aud rddlcd Blaine .
amendment full vi holes. Mr.. Thurman
said:
81 consider this amendment as really
determining the fate Of the bill.
'"Thc amendment Of the senator from
Maine il the worst attack upon the bill
that could be made lie knows very well
that with that provision fastened onto this
bill. the bill not only would not be- worth
the pnpcr upon which II is written, but
that IL would be- lar Wurc than nothing,
he knows that that would he q fatal death
blow gwen Ia the bill.
"Mr. President, let no one deceive him
self about this let no one imagine hc cii
bc n friend Of the judiciary committed bill
aud az the same time friend Of tie
amendment Of the senator from Maine
The amendment Of the senator from Maine
il prussic acid 10 the bill. II cannot sur
vivc a day. nor an hour, perhaps, aiict
that amendment * adopted. Il b. stall
at the very heart Of the bill; Il Is %
: fatal as any stab could be-. hope, there
fore. the friends oi this bill, those wh'
mean 10 make thcsc companies live mp e
their obligations do what they assumed &
thusc who mean that thr-o companiu
shall know that the government = ihci
master and that they are not masters .
the roycrnmcnt-Wil see that no srcl
-,o on Is taken into the bill ~ ih. amend
mcnt 81 the senator from Maine
Then came the ir,gid Nyrmoutcr, Nj
EImunds, with his h1wiizrr, who com
plrtcly demolished the remnant oi tm
Elainc-Goud guard, ~ follows
a. al
innl father; thcrc h no grandfather and u,
collateral relation Of y proposition ~ ihl
legislation oi this country OF the Ionsrrs
of the United states, since the time Whpl
the evil OF the hands oi the States aud d
Congresses has been discovered In the ln-
irW Year., 30 provide that In any rcspcc
or under any circumstances the hands
the legislative power shall be- held of iror
the exercise Of their Legitimate aud cunst
tutional control over public corporation
You cannot tell, sir, what wi
happen: YOU cannot tell who will minng
these corporations. YOU cannot tell hot
long there will be- any not income or mol
dercnding not upon The fair progress Of n.
tufll resources aud development aud mate
raj competition, Int depending upon I'll
evil lpyitry of stock boards aud priyul
iohs. There b. the trouble about all The.
corporations, aud yet, my honorable iricn
from Maine, In that sweet innocence NJ ]
h. IL willing 90 fold mp his arms and I
ticd up IN a bag hy the Union Pacific M
Central Pacific Railroad companies I,
tWcnty-two years. merely because We r
auifc them 10 establish sinking fund.
The Blaine amcndmontWas dclcaiclar
the bill passcdHycaa, 40. nays, 20-llaii
voting "No." See Congregational R,cya
April too, 1873,
rttr LETTER mar MAgrs iNDiANiANs .
srisE MN.
Prom ,h- indIarhplll, s,utucl Dec. u, is,L
The famous Elainc-Soii1d libel ~
which caused such q sensation during q
campaign was brought 10 an abrubt Il
- minition yesterday by the plaintiff : att,
new appearing Ia court aud dlsmissing q
,ntc. ihc proceeding. attending the eve
Nero very short aud simple, the aiiornc
imply submitting the following documeI
Kbich il In the handwriting Of Mr.. Blair
md asking that Il be- spread upon I
rcorls
lame. g. blaine ". The indianapolis scnt
Cumpauy etnl ISL
The plaintiffs, for the reasons stated