RAILROAD AID.
Mr. MURRAY, from a majority of the Committee on County and Township Business, reported on the bill [H. R. 83] repealing an act authorizing Counties and Townships to aid in the construction of railroads, recommending the passage of the bill.
Mr. FANCHER thought where the majority of the people of a County desire to vote a tax for the construction of a railroad they should have that right. There ought to be at least a saving clause in the bill.
Mr. THOMPSON said Elkhart County never voted but one tax for a railroad, and it was the wish of the people of his County that this law should be repealed. There is a vote now pending in that county for the further aid to a railroad.
Mr. HAMILTON--We can not live without the circulation of the blood. How are you going to carry on this country without the use railroad? Some of the best roads in the State have been built with the help of taxation. If people do not want to impose a tax, they have the power of the ballot to vote it down. If they can say they do not want it, why have a prohibitory law to say that those can not have it who do want it?
Mr. STEWART--If the gentleman over the way does not want a railroad I do not want him to become a guardian of my County, and prevent us from having one. I am opposed to any measure which will prohibit the people from voting aid to any improvement they want.
Mr MOODY--I believe the Democratic principle that a majority should rule, but a large per cent. of the people who vote on railroad aid propositions are person who do not own property, and thus impose heavy taxation upon other portions of the community. I believe this bill ought to pass.
On motion by Mr. Gibson, under the operation of the previous question the bill was recommitted to the Committee on Roads.
