Tri-Weekly State Times (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 51, Ed. 1, Tuesday, March 14, 1854 Page: 1 of 4
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TRI-WEEKLY STATE TIMES.
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VOL. I.
AUSTIN TEXAS TUESDAY MARCH 14 1854.
NO 51
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FIFTH LEfllSLATDRB.
DEBATES IN TTIE SENATE.
.J. T. FVjflXT. Reporter.
Monday Jan. 30 18o4.
Remark!; oi"
Jr. PASCHAL upon the bill supple-
mentary to "An Ad to encourage the
eonstruction of Hailroads by a dona-
tion of lands" passed at the present
session of the Legislature.
.Mr. President: I occupy a position
.-oniCAvhat different from what 1 did in
the early part of the session. When the
proposition "was made during the penden-
cy of the Paciiic railroad bill to appro-
priate the alternate sections of land to
he reserved to the State to encourage
the construction of the local roads T dis-
sented from that proposition and for two
reasons : One was because I considered
the proposition to a certain extent local
in its character; another was because I
was in favor of a different plan of encour-
aging works of railroad improvement
and one which I thought could bo car-
ried out. That plan has since failed
though I advocated its adoption with
what little ability 1 possess. I was op-
posed by the Senator from Galveston
(Mr. Potter) avIio was the champion of
the opposition. His motives in opposing
it 1 have never doubted; he was opposed
from the beginning to that measure. I
give him credit for candor in all of his
positions. E stated at the time that the
Pacific bill was before us and upon a pro
position similar to this having been offer-
ed by the Senator from Galveston that
if I did not believe that a different plan
could be adopted Avhich would afford the
necessary assistance to the local roads
that T would be found side by side with
him in the support of that proposition.
I am willing to support it as it comes up
now for I believe it would only be an act
of justice to the local roads an act of
justice to other portions of the State
which are not within the immediate in
fluence of the Pacific road. Wo gave for
the construction of that road 20 alternate
sections knowing at the same time so
far a our individual interests are con-
cerned that it would be destructive to
them if wo did not get the means of con-
necting with it. Now if the construc-
tion of the Pacific road will be of such
great benefit to the section of the State
through which it run should not those
as ho live in the vicinity of the local roads
derive some of the benefits? If we do
not reside near that great work is it not
propel that we should receive some of the
benefit to result from it? The means
contributed to encourage its construction
were the property ot the whole btate
and every portion of it ought to receive
a corresponding benefit as far as it is in
our power to control the effects of that
great work by our legislation. 1 do not
think the objection that the bill before
us would be sectional in its effects ap-
plies with the same force that it did
against the original proposition as it was
offered as an amondniont to tho Pacific
road bill ; for it only seeks to appropri-!
ate the alternate sections of the alternate
sections to the hval roads. The reason
of that is to not'o injustice to those por-
tions of the State which are not in a situ-
ation to lake advantage of the provisions
of the bill at the present time. So it
will be seen that the bill does not take
but one-half of tho alternate sections be-
longing to the State; the other half being
jii-iii MiiL-M-ivf iur me oenent ot roaus
which could not bo benefited by the bill
at tho present time and to be sold or dis-
poned of as the Legislature may think
proper. It is all important that those
alternate sections should be given to the
local roads as it is the only prospect we
have now of assisting them at this session
of the legislature. Tho amount of alter-
nate sections to bo granted Irv this bill
will aid the construction of more miles of
road than"some gentlemen seem to sup-
pose. We havo reserved the lands to
the distance of thirty miles on each side
of tho Pacific road and tho portion of
that road in this State being 800 miles
long it will give 48000 sections of land
of G40 acres each within tho reserve to
that road. About cloven thousand sec-
tions havo already been located by indi-
viduals within tho reserve but we will
allow "IG.000 sections instead of the 11-
000 and it will still leave 32.000 sections
unlocatcd 1(5000 of which would be tho
alternate sections reserved to tho State
and one-half of which (8000 sections) is
the number that this bill appropriates to
bored.
Senate
against.
the .local roads which would construct
800 miles of local roads at ten of the
alternate sections to the mile of road ;
which added to the length of the Pacific
road "will amount to 1600 miles of road
which wo shall have constructed within
this State. After that amount of rail-
roads is once constructed you will have
no farther difficulty in constructing all
of your branch roads. Now it "will be
seen that after the 800 miles of local
roads have been constructed and 800
miles of a jzreat trunk road that the
I trust there is not a man in this
chamber that will vote
that resolution.
Mr. HILL Mr. President: A few
moments since all was mirth and jollity
in this body but the name of Edward
Burleson is pronounced and all is seri-
ousness again which shows the deep re-
spect that this body cherishes for his
name. I would speak of his noble deeds
for Texas but 1 have to regret sir my
inability to do him justice. He took an
active part in tho most stirring scenes of
our revolution. Ho was foremost in al-
most every important enterprise that pre-
sented itself at every trying scene and
action all eyes were turned to Edward
Burleson. lie was in our first campaign
i m ti-itiO ana was scarcely ever out oi
alternate sections to aid in the construe
tion of other roads or to be disposed of
as she may think proper. I see no diffi-
culty in carrying out the provisions of
this bill if the Pacific road should be
built no danger that the interests of the
State would suffer no cause for com-
plaint from any portion of the State.
State will still have 8000 of the reserved i the service of his country up to the time
ot ms uoatn. no actcu wen ms pare in
all stations; there was no call made by
his country to which he did not prompt-
ly respond he was untiring for his coun-
try's good. Much might be said in hon-
or of his name but it is unnccssaiy ; the
Texians will ever do him justice will sa-
credly remember his noble deeds. Would
that I had the time to recount his many
merits and noble actions. Lot us ununi-
mousl7 respond to this call to do justice
to his memory.
The bill passed unanimously. Senate
adjourned.
:
Niuirr Si:ssiox Saturday
Feb. 11 1854
'Plw "T;. 1x-.-vll-w-.-. 4-n ..- lAn 4'M.
J.1HJ ctjlllb 1 VV-SUlllllUU IU JHJ1UU 1UI
the erection of a tomb over the grave of
Edward Burleson being before the Sen-
n fn
Mr. SUBLET!' said Mr. President:
It will not be long before all our revolu-
tionary heroes will have passed from this
stac;c of action but the name of Edward
Burleson will never die. The resolution
appeals to the nobler feelings of every
Senator here. 1 feel that I am incom-
petent to give utterance to tho feelings
of respect which I cherish for his name.
If this resolution were to establibh a pre-
cedent calculated to involve the State
in successive and useless expenditures I
would view it with as critical an eye as
any upon this floor but there are but few
entitled to the honor which should be be
stowed upon the memory of Edward Bur-
lcson. We would be wanting in the du-
ty and respect which other countries pay
to their illustrious dead did Ave not pay
this slight tribute of respect to his me-
mory. It is something that never occur-
red to me ; had it I Avould have taken
pleasure in introducing a resolution of
this kind. 1 hope it aviII be engrossed
by a unanimous vote.
" Mr. JOWERS said Mr. President:
The State of Texas never had but one
Edward Burleson. Let us pay him this
slight tribute of respect hi tho midst
of all the mirth Avhich avo have had for
the last few hours the name of Echvarcl
Burleson is pronounced and this honor-
able body assumes an air of solemnity.
It docs occur to me that the Senate
should take up that bill and pass it Avith-
out a dissenting voice. 1 hope the Sen
ate Avill do it. It has been my fortune
to mingle Avitli Edward Burleson upon
the battle field. I have had the honor
to stand side by side Avith him on many
trying occasions. L knoAV his .sterling
worth. L KnoAV that in comparison to
the services Avhich he has rendered his
country this is but a small tribute of re-
'SPMr. SCARBOllOUGll said Mr.
President : 1 have but a word to say
but as an adopted child of the State I
have been t.iught to look upon Edward
Burleson as one of her noblest sons. I
have been taught to place him among her
DEBATES IN THE HOUSE
W. F. WKKIkS JporteiC
- V- r x -v
most renowned neroes ana wen has he
earned such a position. I believe the
Senate will do his name this honor -without
a dissenting voice. I hope thero is
not a son of tho Lone Star State that
will live and not remember him that
Avill not live to do honor to his name.
Mr. NEAVMAN said Mr. President:
After enjoying ourselves -with uiirthful-
ness as avo have done lor the last two or
threo hours it is well that avo should turn
and pay a tribute of respect to the name
of Burleson avIioso noble deeds wore so
instrumental in giving us a position among
the nations of the earth. He will long
bo remembered by tho people of Texas
as one of her most sterling characters.
I see on our left tho portrait of (leiicral
Washington on tho other side that of
General Burleson avIioso name is little
less dear to us than that of the former.
Their noble deeds should long b'o rcmom-
Monday Dec. 19 1853.
The motion to reconsider the vote pas-
sing the Mississippi and Pacific Railroad
bill pending
Mr. FRANKLIN said I Avas not in
the House Avhen this bill Avas under dis-
cussion. I have learned the history of
its passage from hearing the Journals
read this morning and the character of
the bill from a careful perusal of it. Per-
haps there has been no bill presented to
this House which requires morc.calm and
deliberate consideration than the measure
proposed upon Avhich the Arotc Avas taken
on Saturday Avhich it is moved to recon-
sider. I am satisfied in my oavii mind
from reading the Journals and the bill
that it passed without due consideration
and that upon more mature reflection if
it should pass this House it Avould pass
Avith such amendments as would secure
the State and secure the object that we
should have invicAv at least the building
of a Pacific road. It becomes the repre-
sentatives of the people to watch over
the interests of the State and Avlien they
pass a bill creating a corporation like
this to throAV such guards around the
grant as Avould sIioay that they Averc aviso
in their day in legislating upon this great
subject. 1 do not believe myself from
Avhat I hare been able to learn of tho
vioAVS of gentlemen in this House that
the bill as passed on Saturday meets the
concurrence and approval of a majority
of this House. 1 believe that a majority
and a largo majority perhaps a constitu-
tional majority are in favor of passing a
Pacific Railroad bill that is they are in
favor of the great measure of lbi'iniiiir a
connection between the Atlantic coast
and the Pacific. But they are not as 1
conceiAre in favor of this particular bill.
I judge from the mode in which the
bill passed the House that those avIio
call themselves the Avarm lnends ol tho
bill and the measure apprehended dis-
cussion and feared amendments and
therefore pressed the bill through the
House by putting down the gag hnv in
A'iolation of the Constitution.
This bill as it reads has been drafted
in reference to some subjects it seems to
me Avith peculiar care. There lutvo been
several bills introduced into tho House
unon this subject ; this conies from the
feather : the breath ho bloAVS throAVS it
still farther from him.
Noav 1 say this bill has been draAvn
with peculiar care. Its origin and pater-
nity 1 will not pretend to indicate. But
I will vcall the attention of the House to
certain portions which may need amend-
ment. And before I do so I will refer
to the suggestion that a supplemental
bill can be passed to remedy all its de-
fects. Arc avc to be humbugged with
such a proposition as that? Is that the
kind of a promise or project that is to
deceive representatives in this hall ? No
sir it -will not ansAver tho purpose. It
throws the laboring car on the wrong
shoulder. Those gentlemen avIio have
advocated this bill so earnestly are "wil-
ling to take it in this shape and no oth-
er. And it "will only require one-third
of the vote to reject the supplement.
When such a pertinacious resolution has
been evinced to pass this bill in its pres
ent shape at all hazards it Avould not
seem Aviso in this House to place itself in
a position Avhere one-third of its mem-
bers the strong advocates of the bill
could defeat any one proposition that
might come in as an amendment.
Upon this subject 1 "will not say that
the people have run mad I will not say
that their representatives have groAvn
wild I "will not say that their acts are
inconsiderate or hasty I ayiII not say
that they appear exceedingly anxious to
throAV the entire public domain into the
hands of a few indiA'iduuls. But in re-
ference to this subject 1 -will remark
that in commencing upon the plan and
carrying out the vieAVS of gentlemen avIio
are interested on the outside of this
House in each and every ounty in the
construction of railroads in responding
to tho universal cry " build us railroads ;
avc Avant conveniences" avc are crip-
pling our efforts by the multiplicity of our
grants.
This bill purports to be an act to pro-
vide for tho construction of the Missis-
sippi and Pacific railroad. And there
is not-a provision not? a. .clause contained
in it Avhich reaches tho Pacific or makes
anything depend upon reaching the Pa-
cific. This road is to go from some point
in the eastern portion of the country
north of Fulton to El Paso and the act
authorises the company to unite with any
other corporation they may think proper
by articles of agreement filed in the office
of the Secretary of State. And Avhen
that is done that company becomes
merged in this great Mississippi and Pa-
cific Railroad Company that ends at El
Paso. Uniting these companies with
that company they become one corpora-
tion Avithout a limit to the tolls to be im-
posed upon freights or passage. With-
out a clause placing it in the power of the
legislature to control them avc create
that monopoly for ninety -nine years and
place the entire carrying trade of Texas
under the control of one single corpora-
tion. With the grant of twenty sections
to the mile given for the construction of
that particular road and eight sections
to each of tho roads with Avhich it may
connect they having a majority of the
capital can control each and every part
and parcel of a railroad running through
the limits of tho State of Texas.
If they are to have these great privi-
leges let us have some safeguards to
limit them in their charges and in the
influence they may exercise over the
Avelfare and prosperity oi the country.
The millions of acres of land upon
that route Avith the towns that will be n
built upon tho road almost in sight of
each other upon lands owned by the com-
pany and sold out at high prices will
swell the value of the property conceded
by the Stato to the company to millions
and millions. Jt will place in their hands
the control of a fund far oxceedino-
hundred millions of dollars ; jmd vot
Senate. Perhaps the first one introduced ! their capital stock amounts to no more
. . . . i .... j. i i i i ii . .. i. i . . .
in tne uouso Avas uuuosc mcnucai avuh
this bill except with regard to the start-
ing point in the East. To say tho least
of it it is a reinarkablo caso of coinci-
dence Avhere bills in both Houses origi-
nating with different gentlemen havo all
tho saino features save one. They all
seem to havo one common origin. It
would scorn that this is to bo regarded as
the great measuro of tho day the meas-
ure from AvhiclHlaurols aro to bo reapod.
It reminds me of a boy in pursuit of a
than is necessary to construct the road
twenty millions. Do you propose then
passing this charter without reserving
any power to tho legislature to regulate
ireigms etc. lor ninoty-mno yoars am
to givo them
of Texas for
1 do not urge these vioavs as opposing
tne great measure oi uuimmg a I'acinc
Railroad. I do not care so far as I am
concorned Avhat you give for that object
provided you attain it provided you so
m tho control of the destiny
r an eternity of years V
b
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Ford, John S. Tri-Weekly State Times (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 51, Ed. 1, Tuesday, March 14, 1854, newspaper, March 14, 1854; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth78441/m1/1/: accessed June 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.