The record-union., 1896-11-22
GOVERNMENT THE GAMER.
An Eastern Mans Comment on tht
Funding Bill.
lmp0verishing a Railroad Does Not
Tend to Increase Transports.
tiOn Facilities.
(From the Stamford (Conn.) Advocate.

(From the Stamford (Conn.) Advocate.)
Although another attempt to debase
our money may not soon be made open
ly, 1t is certain that the silver leaders
Will oppose all legislation in the inter
est of prosperity, and that there will
sbe no abatement in their efforts to stir
up strife. One bone of contention
over which they will continue to growl
is the Indebtedness of the Pacific rail-
roads. Because few courageous men
made fortunes in building these roads,
1t is easy to excite hostility towards
any fair settlement, and yet, were ev-
cry dollar Of this Indebtedness can
celled, the Government would be the
gamer by a great many millions OF
dollars because of what it has saved in
the transportation of troops and mails
What the Government and the people
have gained by the building of the
Union and Central Pacific roads in
the increased value of lands further
more, amounts to thousands Of mill
ions.
There are many reasons why a just
funding bill should be passed at
once, among them the following: %
Because some Of the indebtedness
Is overdue and the roads are unable to
pay it. CO Because Congress is never
likely to favor the foreclosure of a
second mortgage, as it would necessi-
tate a large increase of the national
debt and bring out Government own
ership with all the political posi-
bilities that ownership and manage
ment would involve. (3) Because those
most familiar with all the circum-
stances-Congression committees and
Government directors - have recon-
mended a liberal settlement. (D Be
cause it is due to the people of the
United States to dispose of a matter
that has been so long used by agitators
to excite ill-will. 90 Because the
patrons Of the roads, especially those
on the Pacific Coast, will be greatly
benefited by a prompt settlement II
it be said that majority of the people
of California are opposed to a Liberal
settlement, all that need be said in
reply is that their opposition has been
manufactured by an unscrupulous press
for ulterior purposes, and it can also
be said that the people of California
are not the only parties interested in
this question. Furthermore, those on
the Pacific Coast who give the Cen
trail Pacific road the most patronage
fair settlement with the Government
What California needs is an increase
in population and more internal i'm
provements. Is the great railroad of
California likely to increase the facili-
ties for transportation by being i'm
poverished?
Every thoughtful man must realize
that the people support the railroads.
and that injury inflicted upon them
reaches. in one way or another, those
who patronize them 1t is not the Grip
pied railroad that gives the safest and
most satisfactory service, but the road
that has an abundance Of money and
the protection of wise laws. Connecticut
has furnished a good illustration of this
fact. A dozen or more years ago nine
tenths of the people in Southern Con-
necticut desired new line closely paral
lei to the existing road. The feeling was
strong and the fight for new line was
as persistent and as bitter as has been
the struggle to prevent a settlement
with the Pacific Railroads. A few men,
however, dared to tell the people that
competition was possible, and it was to
their interest to have their patronage
used to support and perfect one road
instead of having another road saddled
upon them which they did not need
The schemers did not succeed, and what
is the result? Connecticut has one great
road, the best in the country. Under the
able, courageous, vigorous management
of Charles p. Clark, it's present Presi-
dent, more money has been used in i'm
provemerrts than had been invested In
the property when the road was built
and during all the years of agitation
and effort for parallel line. The people
now have the benefit of four tracks,
stone ballast, steel bridges. an equipment
unsurpassed, frequent and fast trains,
safe transportation, low rates and other
advantages too numerous to mention,
and the cost of transportation has been
greatly lessened by reducing grades and
curves and by doing away with all high
way crossings altogether, The demand