The record-union., 1896-01-17
THE ..RECoRD-UN1oRs'' REASONS.

The San Francisco Chronicle" is dis
t1Irbed because the Record Union" in
showing the dangers and unamerican-
ism of railroad ownership by the Gov
ernment, indulged in strong language
in speaking of those who hold to that
fallacy in fitting terms.
The truth is that these advocates OF
an impracticable and dangerous scheme
are of several classes, ranging from the
demagogues, who know better, to the
insincere, who have private ends to
serve: from the deceived, who have been
led to false conclusions by sophis-
teal reasoning, to the ignorant and the
foolish. A very few sincere men un-
doubtedly hold for Government owner
ship, but these invariably change their
views when they are confronted by the
irrefutable logic of truth and showing
of what must be the result Of the adop-
ton of a scheme that will not fit into
our system of free government.
That the "Record-Union" called
things by their right names in no way
levers the tone of the truth, but en-
phasizes it. Tt does not one whit mill
itate against the sound argument made
in opposition to the Government owner
ship delusion, nor negative the impreg-
nable arguments advanced against
such ownership.
The proponents of that scheme will do
better by answering, if they can, the
reasons given by the 'Record-Union,"
instead of avoiding the issue by stig-
matizing our emphatic language.
Against Government ownership the
Record Union has advanced reasons
that must stand until they are shown
to be Illogical, false and untenable. To
not one of these, however, does the
Chronicle" or any other proponent of
Government ownership respond.
But the Chronicle does make some
significant admissions. and these are
reasonably to be construed as confess
ing that refunding the railroad debt is
the wise and busiResslike way Of dis
posing of the whole question.
that foreclosure of the mortgages on the
transcontinenta1 roads would result in
total loss to the Government Of every
dollar due it,; that possibly the Gov
ernment might, in addition, have to
make good shortages to the first mort
gagees on the sum realized under fore
closure: that the sum Of $62, 100000 to
take up the first mortgage lien might
not be forthcoming in g hurry; that the
two roads could be replaced at this date
for less money than that sum; that
there are, then, but two alternatives
left-namely, for the Government to pay
of the first mortgage and take the
roads, or allow an extension of time to
the debtors upon such terms as will re-
suit in the Government receiving its
due.
This Is but another way of stating the
position of the "Record-Union." If
there are but two policies to be pur-
sued, one Of which must be adopted, and
if, as the 'Record-Union" has shown
ownership, is impracticabIe, dangerous
to free institutions and destructive of
the right of the Government to be paid
what the roads owe it, then it follows
inevitably that the other alternative
must be adopted-namely, refunding of
the debt, under which every right of the
creditor viii be secured, the debtor
roads be enabled to meet their liabili-
ties, and California's interests be con-
served by leaving the Central Pacific
road under friendly control
The Chronicle" in seeking for rea-
son for the opposition OF the Record
Union to Government ownership, with
out inpugning motive or misconstruing
expression. may may easily find it in
this statement of the case, which is. we
submit, at once patriotic, business-Hke
and in the highest. best interests Of the
people of California.