| From the Richmond Examiner |
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| February 7, 1862 |
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| Railroads -- Important Financial Schemes in
Congress |
| It will be recollected that
President Davis recommended, in his public message to Congress, the
military necessity of establishing railway communication between
Danville, Virginia, and Greensborough, North Carolina
{Piedmont RR}. |
| Whatever appreciation the
country may have of the "military necessity" of the otherwise
questionable policy of aiding railroads, we believe that it will be
surprised to hear of the extent to which this policy has been
recommended to Congress. |
| We are informed, in the most
positive manner, that the Executive estimate for aid to the Danville
connection is one million of dollars, to be expended as the
President may direct. |
| We also learn that President
Davis has, in a second message to Congress, in secret session, advised
the aid of the government to be extended to the completion of the
Mississippi and Alabama River Railroad {Alabama &
Mississippi Rivers RR}, so as to connect Selma, in Alabama, with
Meridian, in Mississippi; and that Congress proposes to authorize the
advance of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the purpose of
completing this connection. |
| The precedent of
government aid to railroads is dangerous, difficult to be confined
within proper limits, and liable to abuses and corruptions, especially
in a legislative body which envelopes its proceedings with secrecy. |
|