The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-11-23
CoLoNKL WINsroN,s RAILROAD.
The Noted Orator Champions the Cause
of the Wheat Growers.
Euok ana Vsils Ravfaw

Of tho wheat Growers.
Spokane Falls Review.
A Review reporter having learned that Colonel
Patrick g. Winston had declared his Intention
Of going before the next legislature with prop
ositton u build with stass aid railroad from
the wheat belt TO Puget sound. called on that
gentleman. Mr. Winston said: Something
must be done TO relieve the unfortunate condi-
ton OF AFFAIR." means must be provided
whereby transportation can be had for our
cropA There mast be railroad across the wheat
belt owned and opsrated By citizens of WASH
ington. To construct railway from the Idaho
line across the wheat belt 70 Puget sound. with
branches to Tacoma and Seattle. viii require .
very large sum 1t money. The best plan to
raise this money and build the road il for the
state OF Washington to subscribe . majority
Of the stock. The road would then be controlled
by the people. That beats . railroad commis-
sion"
'.Hss the state the power to subscribe for the
stockf" asked the reporter
Mr.. winston said: "Unlen there ID . provi-
siou.in the constitution ayainst 1T there 10 no
doubt that the right exists Il has BEEN done
time and again BY different aasea The state of
New York owns the Erie canal and has made 1t
free. The state of Maryland owns . majority of
the stock in the Baltimore & Chesapeake canal.
The state Of North Carolina owns msjesity Of
tho stock In the Atlantic road. that runs from
own = majority of the stock OF the Western
North Carolina railroad, running from Green's
b0ro 70 the Tennesse line, distance Of over 200
miles II the constitution 10 In the way we can
amend II am not prepared TO give positive
opinion on that point. bat. oGhand, should say
there 10 nothing in the constitution that forbids
the state from subscribing 70 the stock OF the
proposed road Section OF ricle declares
that the credit Of the state shall not be
given or loaned to any company orcorporation.'
lido not n gard . subscription by the state 70
stock in q railroad as the giving or 1 aiming OF
Its credit The state bays 50 much stock for 30
much money. There is also another sec
ton of the constitution that rela'es
to this On stion. Section requires
proposition OF this kind 70 be submitted to
popular vote. This eau be done. I would
cheerfuly advocate such proposition. But
there IL still another provision in the constitu-
ton bearing on this question which requires
serious cons derstion. Ii requires ala deb 8
contracted By . vote of the people to be aid of
in twenty years and PROHIBITS q new loan for
that purpose. In o her words, If this railroad
were built and the state issued bonds to raise
the money TO uascribe for 5000 900 OF stock in
it, the constitution requires the law authoriz-
ing this debt TO proviie ways aud means, ex-
elusive OF loans. for its pay ment within twenty
years. We would have TO pay the in crest on
$50 coo every year, and create sinking fund
into which We would have TO put VS.. 900 yearly
to- meet the principle At the emf OF twenty
Years This would be very considerable tax
and susgesa the adyisability of constitutional
amendment
'-0f course such a proposition will excite
great oppnsitson. but for on am prepare TO
60 before the people aud advocate IT, II il sus-
tanned by precedent and demanded by the ne
cesssties OF tn sasuation.
yea" concluded Colonsl Winston, II have
been cor suited abou, the matter by farmers In
the Palouse country"