WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1854
104
was unquestioned, why was it not disposed of for Gold or Silver and the precious metal placed in our Treasury? If this would have been inconvenient (which was no business of Texas) it was an easy matter to have deposited the Gold and Silver in some Bank and obtained a certificate of the fact, or to have obtained in lieu thereof U. S. stocks to the amount required? As it is, I have no confidence that Texas will ever realize one Dollar, or that any attempt will ever be made in good faith to build the road-I am fully of the opinion that the design of those at the head of the concern is to create a Stock Company, sell out the stock, realize a few Millions, and let Texas look out for the $300,000 as she may think best. I have not discussed this subject with the people, but I have heard frequent allusions made to it, and among other things have heard serious regrets, in some in- stances, and complaints in others, that our Public officers are connected with this matter-It is truly unfortunate that the officer, whom it appears from the newspapers is to decide upon the matter as head of the Treasury is a party interested in the contract- The Treasurer is not the officer who is to be responsible to the People, or the constitution for what has been, or may be done touching the contract, and the acceptance of the deposit-He is but the head of a single Department of the Government, and must be subordinate and under the control of the General Head-He is sworn to execute the Laws of his department-but it must be under the supervision of the Governor- The Governor is sworn to support the Constitution, and to see the Laws under it executed; hence the Governor is supreme under the Constitution-If any law were passed contravening his powers it would be unconstitutional in character. He would have a right to prevent its execution. Then, the acceptance of the deposit must rest with the Governor and with him alone. The great misfortune is that the individual (no matter how honest he may be) to whom the Papers ascribe the act of deciding this important matter, is a party acting in behalf of himself, as one of the Contractors, and at the same time as the principal fiscal agent, and officer of the State of Texas, thus placed in the awkward predicament of acting partially on one, or the other hand, as people may think proper to charge him-No man is with- out enemies, and where so much feeling is enlisted as now exists, on the subject of Railroads in our State, it will be an easy matter to awaken suspicions which can only be allayed by a completion of the work, and of this I have not a shadow of expectation-The =
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