The advocate., 1891-12-30
HAs HUNTINGTON aERN THR CATf

10 bn9 EQlBOr OK 1HB ADNOCAEBf
In letter dated November 80, Mr.. G.
P. Huntington, Of New York, through
Simpson, Of Texas, seems disposed to
work little moral agriculture.
DALLAS, Tex, December 6.-The fol-
lowing explains itself:
% BROAD STREET, NRwYoRK, November 30.
james B. Simpson, Esq, Dallas, Tex:
Dear Sir--Yours Of the Goth is received and
contents carefully noted. Very likely you
have valuable franchises, or what would be
valuable in most any other state than Texas;
but while there are many places in Texas
where we would like to build some railroads
mostly short ones-we cannot do any
thing 80 long as the disposition exists that
now seems to in Texas; that is, to do all the
harm they can to this kind of property, and
l think my views are shared by all people
who have money to invest. No one is dis
posed to create property which, after being
created, is not to be controlled by its own
ership. Of course, we all expect to be sub
iect to the police regulations and to pay the
taxes of any stats even as other property,
but whenever anything is done beyond that
it checks this kind of improvement, and
where it approaches so near coDfiscation as
the sentiment of Texas tends, it entirely
prevents capital from being invested.
I think there is no road in Texas that is
to-day earning its operating and fixed
charges. Every road, think, has been or
is in the hands of receiver, excepting our
great east and west line, which is supported
by business going entirely through the
state, which business could also be sent an
other way, and would be so sent, excepting
that we believe the people of Texas will
some timetake sober second thought and
treat the railroads as they do other kinds of
property. When that time comes shall be
ready to talk with you about your fran
Chises, if it comes in my day, and believe
it will, as l think no other peoples are suffer-
ing from an unwise policy persistently pur-
sued as are the people of your state. Yours
truly, C.P. HUNTINGTON.
He hesitates, owing, as he affirms, to
the public sentiment Of the Texsns. He
complains that railways in Texas are not
so certainly private property as he likes.
In other words, that the people of
Texas are not convinced that private
property In highways is divine institu-
ton.
He undertakes to befog matters by the
assertion that insufficient earnings have
sent all Texas roads save one through
the hands Of q receiver.
Such statements deceive no one, least
of all the Texan, who has learned that
the operation OF railway so that it goes
into the hands of receiver is but trick
to steal 1t.
In this gracious epistle to the Texan
Mr.. Huntington ventures to believe
"there is no road in Texas th6t Is today
earning its operating expenses and fixed
charges" If such is the case it is due
to the fact that the "Axed charges" have
been loaded so as to render tribute to
such as he.
In another breath he affirms that tour
great east and west line is supported by
through business which could be sent
another way" but takes It's present route
to bait the Texan.
In the first place, 1t does not live by
honest competition, condition which he
exacts from all who deal with him or