Arizona republican., 1890-07-17
THOSE RAILROAD PROMISES.
Says the Herald of last evening:

rule or ruin in all directions and do not stop at misrepresentation.
 Now the fact is, there was no such contract as the Herald claims, but one was finally dug up late yesterday, but its provisions are hardly satis- factory. TIE REPUBLICAN is just as heartily in favor of this road being built as the Herald can possibly be. TIE RE PUBLICAN has just as much at stake in this matter, but it isn't the hired or paid advocate of either element to the con- troversy. We do not by any means be- heve that the future of this val ley depends on the building of this railroad, nor we do believe that all the benefits that we are told that will flow from it will ever be realized. But it will be starter and for that reason We favor it, but only on condition that the rights of our people are protected.
 This was the understanding that everybody had, so Mir. Alexander and others inform us, when the bonds were voted. This is also confirmed by re- ference to files of the Herald. In it's is sue of August 3, last year, it says that "ten miles of road shall be built of first class material and in tirst-class man. ner along the road herein described, etc" "First-class materials" and first class manner" are safeguards left out of the pending bill? Why
 
 any one believe that it was an accidental omission? If not, then why were these terms left out.
 The Herald then goes on to say that "none of said bonds shal be issued before and until a contrac: shall first have been made or entered into by and between the Board of Supervisors of Maricopa County and the person or corporation or association undertaking the construction of said road, Wherein q reasonable and equitable adjustment shall De made .fring the maTiaum rate to be charged for freight as weH as the rate per mile for passenger fare"
 Now we are told by the Gazette, the other organ of the promoters of this road, that the Board of Supervisors have no business to meddle with rates, either freight or passenger, but that that is the exclusive right of the legislature and the Inter- State Commerce Commi ssion.
 The Herald and the promoters of this road did not think so last August. They not only thought that the Supervisors had such powers, but they distinctly stipulated with the people that before any of these bonds should be paid "a reasonable and equitable adjustment shall be made fixing the maximum rates to be charged"
 Why was this provision lett out of the pending bill, and not included as it was in the original bill filed with the Board of Supervisors?
 In the article from which we quote the route of the line is also laid out, by Section ? of the proposed act, which has since been lost in the shuttle. The act
 
 "west end of the Maricopa and Phoenix railroad and running to the vicinity of the Vulture on the most direct and prac- tical route"
 Neither the vetoed bill nor the bill now pending contains these provisions. No more does the alleged contract pub lished by the Gazette, a purported docu- ment that never had and does not now have legal or binding existence, nor yet in the signed contract which was discovered" yesterday.
 Yet it was upon this act published in the Herald, containing all these safe guards now being sneered at by the Gazette, that the people voted these bonds. If it was not intended to carry out these promises why were they made ? If they were made in good faith why were they not adhered to, but stricken from the bill? The vote on the bonds was secured on these promises; to at tempt to rob the people of them is a fraud, just as MT. Alexander has said. If anyone doubts this let him consult the Herald of August 3, 1889.
 That there might be no mistake on this matter, we find it further confirmed in speech by Secretary N. o. Murphy, and published in the HeraM of August l9. He says:
 Restrictions would have been placed upon the proposition to the extent that if construction is not had within ninety days after ratification by Congress on the route outlined, then the sub. sidy can be made available to any route furnish ing connection with the Atlantic and Pacific. Also, the Board of Supervisors are empowered to contract for the protection of the people as against exOrbitant rates.
 That is the way it was to be, but that isn't the way the bill reads now. It was under such promises that the bonds were voted, but no such restrictions appear in the bill now.
 It is because TIE REPUBLICAN insists upon it that these men shall carry out their agreements with the people, that it is said we are an enemy of the Valley. If the Valley had more enemies of that sort it might be good for it. We want a railroad, the best we can get, but we want a railroad anyway, but we want these men to live up to their agreements on this subsidy bill. There is ample time to substitute the original bill. It is measure the President will sign. Why not pass that?
 
 TIE so-called interview with Joe AL l IL. Il l.. l.. .E.