Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-04-18

other merchants. But whatever may be the
theory, the facts are that railroads are virtual
monopolies, almost without competition. There
is no pree tnse OF any except at points OF inter
section with other roads and that is usually pre-
vented by traffic arrangements with the COM
petiug road Every local point is at the mercy
shall fix
II railroads were public highways like the
rivers or the ocean, then competition could pc
trusted TO regulate, and very little law would be
necessary; but this would involve governments
ownership of the roadbed, and this 1 do not
favor.
Observation-Disclosures important question before
the next legislature will be dirt roads.
Mr.. Pendleton-YeS, we need roads and need
them badly, in many sections. Some portions
of the state have ample material to build roads,
others have not. Usually the richest lands hay
ing the largest amount of products to ship have
the poorest roads in wet weather, and
are scarcest of material to repair them. The
conditions are so varied tn at our legislation on
this question should partake of a local option
character, leaving each county largely to con-
troll its own affairs, but am opposed to the is
suance of bonds because it is an incentive to eX-
trayagance, and because by little taxation
each year we can soon succeed in making our
roads as good as they can be made. The mort
cages might be as deep as the mud now is, and
not make some of our Texas roads good after a
protracted rainy spell. To macadamiZe is in
most instances impossible, The best solution is
to pass the proposed amendment to the conStitu-
ton ana provide for county road supervisor IN
such counties as desire it, who shall be an enRi-
neer. He will go to work an intelligent plan
to widen, Straighten and ditch the roads, and if
it is not all finished this year. we can wait until
next. We have waited some time, and can
wait longer, rather than cucumber ourselves
with bonds. Pay as you go, is sound doctrine.
Reporter-In some quarters apprehension
is expressed that an attempt may be made to re-
peal or cripple the homestead law.
Mr.. Pendleton-Yes, but regard these fears
groundless. think that our homestead law
has been great benefit and protection to the
people, and should oppose any attempt to re-
peal or cripple it. OF course dishonest men
tIrrNnC toll
sWindle their creditors, but all laws, even the
best, are abused.
Reporter-There is great complaint among the
farmers about hard times, and more perhaps IN
the Western states than here. Are these COM
plaints well founded, and what, in your opinion,
is the cause and the remedy?
Mr.. Pendleton-I think their complaints in
the main well founded. All grain crops are
very low in price, too low for profit. AS grain is
the principal crop for the most of the country,
low prices are naturally followed by hard times.
In attempting to account for this some attribute
it to over production, that is TO say, we are
starving because we have too much to eat; we
are dying from too much grain, other portions
of the world because they have too lit
tie. What is the remedy? Reduce tariff and
transportation taxes. By reducing the tariff we
can buy cheaper. By reducing the freight the
grain viii be worth more. OF course we under
stand there is a limit below which we ought not
to go IN the way of reduction, but as we have to
send our grain across the ocean to find market,
if can get a deep water port our coast it
Will shorten the route several hundred miles to
all OF Texas and several of the Western states,
reduce freights on grain and meats and bring
prosperity to the farmers and cattle raisers. Our
people should leave no stone unturned to secure
deep water at the earliest possible date Of course
there are always some to complain of hard times
whether Justly or not, and always some others
VINO have a patent on saving the country by
some favorite nostrum, but l don't know any
other way except to let the people enjoy the
fruit of their toll taking little of their prop
erty by taxation as possible to support the gov
eminent in the exercise OF the simplest and most
limited functions consistent with the enjoyment
of all their rights.
RepOTter-Do you expect to canvass the state?
Mr.. PendletOn-If / should be nominated
will hold myself subject to the requests of the
chairman of the state Democratic executive
committee, but will not canvass before the
state convention is held.