Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-10-15
THE LYNCHBURG VIRGINlaN.
BLACK FORD, ToWNLEY ~ CO.,
pRoPRIEToRs.
LYNCmBURG. OCTOBER Is. 1919.
NEW JERSEY R,IL ROADS.

now making to induce The Legs dt1fe OF that
State TO r~epadiate the contract, entered into some
years ago. with The Delaware and Rariian Canal,
and Camden and Amboy Railroad Companies.
We have not the space al command 10 give the
details Of a series OF Legislative acts, by which
these Companies were ~amalganated, and given
the exclusive right OF carrying freight and passen-
gers from the Delaware 10 the waters of New
York, for the space of 80 years, at the end Of
which period the State is 10 have the privilege Of
taking possession Of the improvements at a fair
valuation. For these exclusive and most 'impor-
tant privileges, the Companies paid a handsome
bonus, in the shape Of 1000 shares of The Stock,
and IN a certain assessment upon the amount of
freight and number Of passengers carried. This, it
was guaranteed, should not fall short of $4,000
per annuIn. 1t now, in point Of fact, amounts TO
three tunes that sum, and with the dividends ac-
cruing from the Stock transferred 10 the State,
affords revenue sufficient almost TO defray the
whole civil list Of New JcrSey-there being no
State tax whatever. This is a very convenient
arrangement in some respects, but, that the Legs
lature acted most unwisely, and unfortunately
for the good OF the community, in giving a mo-
nopoly Ike this, no one can now, for a moment,
doubt. Viewed by the lights of experience this
must be the opinion OF every one-but, formerly,
in view Of the difficulties Of the case, and the APP
parent hopelessness of eliecting a communication
in any other way, the arrangement was not re-
gaIded as Objectionable, and the several acts, di-
yeSting the State, for half a century, of all its
rights in the premises, were, at the time Of their
passage, decidedly popular. They were carried
by large majuIities in both branches ofthe Legis-
lataie, and were in accordance with popular sen-
tlInent within the State, though denounced by
some without, wis would have been willing to
purchase The privilege at a higher price.
The policy was, as we have said, most unWiSe
/ and ,aI t,Kat H. ~
very large income the State derives fion the
Companies, injurious to The best interests of he
State and productive of Inconvenience to the
whole travelling community. But whatever the
policy, whatever the injury, New jersey is bound
10y the contract, and to repudiate it would cover
her with eternal disgrace and rank her in the cat
egory OF Mississippi, Arkansas, sc.
We do not suppose the Companies have done
worse than might be expected from those enjoy
inc exclusive privileges. The cars on the line
are inferior IN comfort and luxury to those met
with elsewhere; the road is not kept in the best
order; the rate of travel is less than on other great
lines; the fare is higher, and there is a general
want OF a spirit of accommodation. All these
things might naturally be expected where there is
no opposition. Competition is neccsSary-the alb
scnce OF 1t. whether caused by chartered prvi-
Icges, or 10y accident or iorbcaranCe, will always
SUBJECT the public to imposition and injustice
I'm view Of these rcoI o,o,,nIe az con,,lnf,, Lu,
perhaps. sill morn from a low sn;r;t, ~ 1omn
goeuism and the worst passions Of onr nalnre
there has crown M in New Jersov = atn';IahIo'
oppoSition TO tbe mon,noly and tho ol;oct ;s
avowed 10 be the ahrooationi If Tho charter Nv tbo
Legislature. In fintLerancc Of tbis object = sta,o
Convention boo l,,oI, Noon LoIl CaJJo tah as
address has emannted redoIont With Jao,;no" ~ ~
onr est;rna,ion mns, da,astalia Wv oe..,'es III
Among other hercyics. thc Ground il taEoo tl,.i,
mart of the contract bctwo,n Tho S,oto ord - =
nuIl and vii an5 d., nraaa an"u.a ~ 49, =
~: ~ ' ~ """ .'0 l"'Poee "NoNc" 10 illNc
t"'S Nv Ric't PueSu"h III 'he ensuing election
i"r iheihpefS OF the LcgiSlature-thus settling the
rights OF private property and the validity Of con
tracts, not by the Courts of Justice, but bv thc
people, at the polls. under the excitement or mol.
iticS. and nv the ,ronc, or p,,tr orn,,;yotan,
Con- cta.l,a =, o. IL. H. r. no
- - '' ."I '"''" VI l'I lam ~ we
i,S"' VI Wy y 'he o'd'', invested Sfuu,uuu IN
'he STOCK oil the road lie has been long either
a leading Director, or President OF the Company,
and, unwilling 10 be deprived of his property,
without the Intervention of JUDGE or Jurv he has
come forward in , vorv oblo ,nJ rrou ,rrra.a,al
drcss to his ,lI,w-c;f,on ,,I;ah aaa. .nI1.
a., ,oo,Io ~ NJ. - ''' N"'''' ~
W. f.op,o w" Jersey are more uhPrlhciPieo
."o' VIC 'aNc 'leih 10 DC, 'aii 10 nave a decided
influence upon public sentiment. lie reviews
the Legislation upon the subject: the difficulties
overcome by the COMPANIES: the benefits which
have accrued to New Jersey in tho rra,t cnho,co-
ment of thc v,I,o or I,,ds within Jtbo ;nn,onoo
Of Tho innr,roanaaa am9 . ~" ''1 "u'"
- - 'h'h"i anu II III NY revenue tlt