Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-10-23
TO THE PEOPLE OF MISSOURI.
mo. 10Y
mo. 10Y

NO. lo' ~
In my 9Th number proposed 10 give these
private companies liberal and long charters but
objected to giving them entirely exclusive priv
leges, and promised TO ssy more on this subject.
| may as we'll say now what has occurred 10 mo
to be proper on that matter. What then meant
by not granting them exclusive privileges, was
especially to retain in the hands OF the State, IN
some shape or other, q power OF revision over
these companies, and especially the prices they
are to charge for freight and passage. While l
may recommend this, by no means intend TO
propose that these matters are constantly 10 be
within the power Of every Legislature, to fix and
unfx these prices; because this would deter ell
sensible men from advancing the money, unless
indeed the State made the works themselves.
Yet do propose that in the charters granted,
some conservative and satisfactory body Of men
should have the power, at stated times, to regu.
late these matters by some fixed principles. and
by that means protect the travelling public from
that imposition which exclusive privileges arc
sure to engender.
1t will easily be seen that il the lines proposed
were made, the monopoly would more properly
belong TO the nature Of the country through
which they pass; for monopolies grow more out
Of the improbability, not to say impossbity Of
any completion, than out OF the provision Of
charters. These lines would, for more than half
a century at least exclude all idea OF parallel
and competing lines; and while they would be
amply sufficient for the accommodation OF the
public, If left to manage their concerns as best
they like for their own interests. may easily
prove intolerable expressions. This has been
fatal mistake, made by the English Parliament.
in granting railroad charters; and consequently,
their people are charged higher for travelling.
than any people in Europe; and to get rid Of this
intolerable imposition, many hundreds OF mil.
lions Of dollars has and will be uselessly spen,
in constructing rival roads, to force the elder
ones to lower their prices. The writer could
give several examples and name road, in the U.
S., where very great imposition has and still con.
tinues to,be prdctised; and, therefore, he warEs
his fellow citizens TO beware OF like mistakes.
While at the same time he desires both sides 10
be considered as adopting that foolish clanor
against monopolies which is so often heard from
the hastings and other paces-lhe resorts Of
demagogues; for, in fact all private rights arc to
a great extent monopoles. and even these often
prove great annoyances TO others, as the writer
has often found them to be, by what 10 effec. is
monopoly, the right for all TO smoke segar
when they please. because many unmannerly
and impudent people thus take advantage Of
this custom. 10 smoke and puff in the faces OF
others; in places too, where people were necessa.
rily compelled to remain in close contac. with
them; and yet, should not propose by legsla.
tive enactment to prohibit smoking altogether,
but leave i, rather to the good sense OF the com.
muni'y to "eIPunge' entirely from good society
a custom not only entirely useless, but absolutely
pernicious to the health and happiness of the PEG.
pie.
Surprising these roads to be made, it may be-
expected OF me to show at least some OF tho
advantages which they are likely to bring to the
public. in the reduction Of freight. Already I
| have shewn, think, that in "cerain,y, speed
and safety" they will greatly facilitate the trans
portation Of the surplus produce OF the people
and rapidly increase their wealth; and although
it may be very Difficult. before they are made. 10
show how much they will be cheaper than our
present modes OF transportation. yet if there is
any thing 10 be drawn from the experience of
other parts OF the Union, where they have al.
ready been constructed, there can be no doub,
but the people will reap large advantages in tho
reduction Of the prices they pay on their freight.
1t is estimated by very intelligent. gentlemen
: engaged in shipping freight up and down the
Missouri, that the average prices. paid the year
round, is over so cents per hundred pounds, be.
ing $40 per ton; that when the river is in a
fair stage for navigation. the price is twenty five
: cents per hundred or S. per ton. One thing
: may be put down as certain, that were these
roads made, the competition ITSELF would keep
0 the freight OF the lowest Of the above rates. |
P have not the means at hand, 10 show 10 wha.
extent this would be o saving to the people, for
this must depend upon the exports and imports;
and there is no statistical information within
:, my reach 10 even make an approximate cacu.
lalion OF the number OF tons OF these imports
and exports; but as there are say at leas, five
boats, that make trip each week, il perhsps
D will be less than the true amount TO say. that
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