352 THE GROUNDSWELL. 



There was not the present demand for north and south lines that 

 will exist when emigration has measurably filled up the country. 

 Then would come the more natural exchange of products between 

 different latitudes, sugar for wheat, and cotton for corn; and the 

 north and south would do the carrying trade. The seven roads sug 

 gested would have a mileage of 8,000 miles, and would intersect 

 about twenty-five States. These States would own, or at least control, 

 the bonds issued to build their respective proportion of these roads 

 and the whole system be managed by national laws. 



He would like to see the State have the power to build such roads 

 as might, if they desired, connect them with these main arteries. 



The power ought to be vested in every town, city, and county, to 

 build tram, horse, and steam railways, just as they would other roads 

 and thoroughfares. In other words, carry to its legitimate conclu 

 sion the principle that a railway is a highway, and just as much to 

 be made and controlled by public authority as our public roads. 



In conclusion, the speaker drew a glowing picture of the future 

 under just and equitable legislation, and exhorted the convention to 

 work that the end might soon be attained. There were strong objec 

 tions to governmental interference, but he believed a happy medium 

 was attainable. 



MR. HOOTON ON RAILROAD ABUSES. 



Mr. M. M. Hooton then took up the subject of railroads, 

 and said : 



Certain great questions, relating to the finance of the world, and 

 more especially of the north-western States of America, seem to be 

 pressing with unusual force at this time for a correct solution. The 

 present money panic is but the voice of justice, demanding, in unmis 

 takable language, that the laws of equity and fairness shall not be 

 violated, and wherein they have been infringed that just retribu 

 tion shall be made. 



The natural forces, always at work in a well-regulated community, 

 make ultimate redress for great wrongs inevitable, in one way or 

 another. Hence, when a government and people have permitted 

 greedy speculation to corrupt all the channels of trade, and oppress 

 the great mass of the people for the enrichment and aggrandizement 



