Arizona republican., 1890-07-13
THE NORTH AND SOUTH BILL.

iector" is a useful man to community, and he has an inalienable right to be heard. No system of internal improve ment, canals, railroads, wagon roads or any other public measure can be in- jured by honest, fair criticism. The spirit of holding up an honest objector to any scheme as public enemy is worse than wrong-it is an effort at stifling public sentiment, and its only possible result can be to make the peo- pie exceedingly suspicious of any such scheme. The North and South Railroad is very important adjunct to the de- velopment of this valley, but as the peo- pie are practically to build it they should have voice in its incorporation. We do not agree with our morning con temporary, when it says:
 If Joe Reynolds builds the North and South railroad, it will be part Of the Santa Fe sys- tenn, and under the law, will be governed by the intt state commerce commission, and neither the board of supervisors or private agreement could regulate its tariff It is not only sense- less, but mighty bad taste, to kick against this much needed railroad bill.
 If the Supervisors have no right to say what freight and passenger rates shall be charged within this county then they will undoubtedly have the right to withhold the subsidy, whether the pend- ing bill becomes law or not. In nearly every instance where counties have subsidized railroads in this country the subsidies carried with them concessions in rates. Ii this cannot be done, why was the clause inserted in the original bill now on file with the County Super yisors? Was that mere blind to fool our people?
 Every friend of this valley, on sober reflection, must admit that Mir. Alex ander is right when he says that any de- parture from the text of the original bill by the North and South railroad people was breach of good fath. We are in- clined to think that the substitution of one mans name is a danger that should be ayerted. The valley has had one ex- perience of franchise of that character and it ought to be sufficient. If MT. Reynolds should determine not to build the road and decline to transfer it, the bill would be valueless. The banker who would put his money or his princi- pals money in railroad to the extent of $4OOO mile, would demand "the shortest practicable route" and first class construction" Why should not a community do the same?
 Mir. Alexander's next point is the most important of all:
 That none of said bonds shall be issued before and until a contract shall first have been made and entered into by and between the Board o Supervisors of said Maricopa county and tht person. corporation or association undertaking the construction of said road wherein a reason able and equitable adjustment shall be made fixing the maximum rate to be charged fol freight over said road per hundred pounds pc mile as well as the rate per mile for passenge fare between the initial and terminal points O said road.
 This appeared in the original bill a' agreed on before the Supervisors, bu was left out of the vetoed and the pend ing bills. The Supervisors undoubtedly have a right to insist on this clause and in the interests of the people it is thei duty to demand such an agreement be fore delivering the bonds. Such ar agreement would stand even if the lint should become a part of the Santa F' system. The experience of Prescott ii that the Santa Fe is not disinclined t' crowd the mourner when it can.
 This is human nature and the wis' thing is to guard against it.
 Permitting limit of five years to th' completion of the road, when the origi nal bill placed it at eighteen months, il another significant departure.
 But others beside Mir. Alexander hav' found peculiarities in connection witl thls bill that are worth mentioning For instance, Mark Smith is said t have stated in Congress that the lin would be only forty miles long within the County, while in fact, on the line indicated, it would be nearer sevent. miles long. There is not much in this but it means the difference between $16O, ,OOO and $2sO,OO0 to the people o this valley.
 Generally where subsidies are grante' to local lines like this, formal contract are made, in which it is distinctl
 stated, in elaboration, in what manne the road is to be built and the interest of the County are carefully guarde
 throughout. In the bill pending we re gret to say that this is not the case.
 road-bed is to be completed and rail and ties laid thereon for the distance c ten miles to each payment. That is al
 for after that the County issues it
 bonds in the sum of $4,0O0 mile. N rolling stock, buildings or equipment
 of any sort are provided for, nothing bu the road-bed, ties and rails, and, as Mi Alexander says, the latter may be ( strap-iron. Under these provisions railroad fulfilling every requiremer , might be built for $2,OOO mile, it bein we'll known that within this County tn grading of the proposed road will nc . cost $500 mile.
 These are the facts in this railroa case. To state them is not to oppos
 it's building. On the contrary we al F earnestly in favor of it and believe thu now, while the bill may yet be amended is the time to call attention to it's shor
 comings. With the showing made |
 Mir. Alexander, which he says he wi