The San Francisco call., 1896-01-26

ment ownership of line of railroad from the
Pacific to the Missouri River there is but one
sentiment among our people on the PROPOSE
| L. That there shall be no refunding act
passed by Congress, and
| 2. That such steps should be immedi lately
taken by the Government as will get back the
money and property which have been fraudu-
| lently appropriated by certain parties con-
neeted with the management of the Central
Pacific Railroad Company, and to that end
| every department of the National Government
should be called into immediate action.
Inc honor OF the American people is in
VOWED IN this legislation. The stock and
bonds OF the Central Pacific Railroad are scat
tered broadcast throughout the financial
world. The American Government has here
totore given this company character and
credit at home and abroad, and to-day it
stands as sponsor for what this company does.
And yet by an act of Congress passed in 1887
commission was formed foT the purpose, in
part, OF examining into the affairs of this COM
pany and reporting the result to the President
and Congress. That report was made to and
now forms part OF the records of the eXecu-
tive and legislative departments of the Gov
eminent. 1t shows mass of uncontradicted
facts, judicially and dispassionately arranged
and considered, which prove that the Govern
ment and the other creditors of this company
nave been robbed OF from seyenty-hye to one
hundred millions of dollars, and these facts have
never been successfully questioned.
HAVE BEEN PROVEN GUILTY.
In word the officers of the Central Pacific
Railroad Company were proven to have been
guilty OF frauds greater in amount and more
criminal in character than those proven
against Warren Hastings before the English
Parliament; and yet some of these same men,
as the representatives of the Central Pacific
Railroad Company, now come before this Con-
gress and demand a certificate OF character.
1he braZen etfr0ntery OF the demand has no
parallel in history. The American people are
honest, the American Nation is honest, and we
therefore ask that neither time nor distance
shall change or modify the relations of the
government with this company or afford an
excuse Tor the condonatiOn OF fraud.
We do not ask that the dead be arraigned at
the bar of public opinion, or that worthy
women be sued, or that great university be
dlsmantled, but we do demand that the chief
actor and most commanding figure in this
great fraud be brought to the bar of public
justice.
We are compelled to appeal to the Congress
OF our country for protection. We ask that it
carefully and deliberately consider the de-
nands man s. OF the people OF the far West, with the
nope that IL will be able to see its way clear to
secure to the people of California the rights
which they have been so long deprived Of.
II the General Government should now stand
behind G. 7. Huntington and his associates in
their efforts to refund the Indebtedness of the
Central Pacific Railroad Company it would
create q monopoly which would soon be more
powerful than The Government itself.
is CORRUPT LEGISLATION.
1t should not be forgotten in this connection
that the very money which the Government of
the United States and the people of California
nave contributed to this great railroad enter
prise has been and is being used to corrupt
and misdilect the legislation of the country
and thereby imperils the safety OF the State
The men who represent these corporations
now appear alike before the National and State
legislatures and even stand unabashed at the
door OF the temple OF justice. They have no
political principles, they belong to no party.
are fai thtul to no trust and just to no man.
The time has come when the people must
make declaration of independence against
this corporation or they will become bankrupt
in fortune and in character If this is not
done private property interests in Cali
fornia will be des troyed, fortunes viii be dissi-
pated, industries viii be imperiled and the
whole people viii be politically and financially
crushed by corporation more powerful than
the State. MORRIS NJ. EsTEE
Chairman;
A CAMINETTI,
J. L. DAVE,
Mayor of Oakland;
MARION CANNON,
Z. NJ. GIBSON