The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1889-11-06
BETTERMENTS.

Senator C. b. WOOten's Speech,
As the claim of the lessees of the
Western and Atlantic road is pow
engaging the attention of the leg
islature, and interesting the peo-
pie Of Georgia, the News prints be-
low Senator C. B. Wooteu's speech
on that important question, Mr..
Wooten said:
Mr.. President: After mature
consideration l find myself unable
to agree to the report of the COM
mittee of conference. What is the
character, and what Is he object |
Of that report 1t proposes the
appointment of a JOINT committee
whose duty it shall be ito confer
with the lessees of the Western and
Atlantic railroad comcany and ass
certain from said lessees what
claims they make against the state
as such lessees, and the basis there's
of. and how aud in what manner
they ask for settlement OF the
same, and farther to "obtain from
said lessees a statement of the
personal property received from
the state which the lessees can aud
will deliver to the state ut the eS>
piration OF the present lease. Such
are substantially the objects of the
resolution reported by the commit.
tee Of conference, while upon the
face OF the report appears the de-
claration that "neither the validity
Of such claims, nor the duty of the
state to allow the same, or make
any settlement thereof, is admits
ed"
Now, sir, this is an essentially
different document from the Hall
resolution, which was adopted by
the senate some time ago, and
/, which gave rise to the conference
committee. That resolution did
make inquiries as to to the claims
OF the lessees, but it contained, in
no uncertain terms, an express and
emphatic denial of the liability of
the state fer any such claims;whilst
it went further ana sought to as
certain the true condition of the
road end what property; if any,
now )unected with the road might
be reserved or withheld by the
state In future contract Of lease.
These are legitimate objects OF in>
quiry and are calculated for good
TO the state. But the report I'M
der consideration ignores these inn
portant objects and in substance
addresses itself exclusively to the
claims of the lessess. When re-
duced to its final analysis it is, in
tie main, an inquiry as TO the
claim of the lessees for betterments.
Now it is due to some of the
members Of the conference commit
tee, and 70 far as / know to all Of
them, to say that they are decid-
eddy opposed to the payment of
any sum whatever for betterments;
and in what may say intend no
reflection on them. They are
honorable gentlemen. all; and they
have my confidence and esteem.
But | must be permitted to state
that, il my judgment, the tenders
cy of this report is in the wrong
direction. 1t is fraught with dan
ger 10 the state. What is there in
the premises to demand or even to
warrant snch an overture to the
lessees as the report contemplates?
Ae are not even confronted with
any authoritative statement OF a
claim for bctternents. No such
claim has been presented to the
legislature, and we are so ready to
give shape and substance to imag-
mary aud pretended claims against
he state as that we, upon ereru
mors that float in the air, shall 90
out to institute inquiry into such
claims and thereby dignity them,
} it may be.into responsibility? But
gentlemen seem to assume that
there is such a claim lurking in
secret and boding danger to the
public, and that it is of q charac-
ter SO serious as to challenge the
investigation of the legislature.
Like the ghost Banquo. it rises up
: to haunt them end will not down
at the bidding. Let us not be
needlessly alarmed. There is no
peril to the state from that source.
Georgia will be able to meet the
exigencies OF the case and take
care of herself even against the
claim Of the lessees. | would not
be undertoo as advocating the
doctrine that the state should ins
trench herself in her sovereignty
to resist or TO avoid the payment
OF any meritorious claim. The state
cannot afford to be unjust; and ii
even the claim OF the lessees should
be found to be legal, just and mer-
itorious, Georgia, | apprehend.
would rot hesitate to honor it, But
undertake TO say that it a PROPS
oSition, capable Of clear demons
stration, that there is no iounda>
u