St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-10-08
Railroad Convention.

AHc REPRESENTATIVES, VI tWcnty-iour
Western Railroads recently met
in Columbus, Ohio. The object of the
meeting was to consider the action
taken by the four leading Eastern
roads, viz the N. Y. Central, the Erie,
thePcnnsylvania Central and the Balti.
more and Ohio.
OF Chicago roads, the Michigan
Central, the Chicago, Burlington and
Quincy, the Galcna and Chicago, and
Fort Wayne and Pittsburg were rep
resented.
The Convention resolved that it fully
approves of the agreement passed on
the 7th of September last, by the four
eastern roads regarding the reform
and rctrcnchment in Railroad manage
ment, SO far as the same is applicable
to Western roads, not admitting the
right of Eastern roads to determine
the direction of Western bound bust
ness. The meeting adjourned to the
l4th of October and recommended that
neither Company shall hereafter, either
directly or indirectly, employ runners
or agents of any description, for the
purpose Of soliciting passengers, or
allow any compensation, by way Of
commission, draw dack or otherwise,
for procuring such passenger business.
Also, that on and after November LIST,
1857, no free passes shall be issued,
Except to employees and persons or
agents on the regular service Of the
company, and strictly charitable
purposes"
The discussion on the New York
proposition to abolish free passes in
toto Except for legislative purposes)
brought out the debating strength Of
the Convention.
Mr.. Cass, of the Pittsburg, Fort
Wayne and Chicago ROAD gentle
man who, like Mr.. Moran, of the New
York and Erie. has little experience in
the pratical operation Of a railroad,
but is capable Of celebrating excellent
theorics-proposed the total abolition
Of the entire free pass system.
Mr.. Clement-Would you make en-
ployccs pay fare?
Cass-Yes, would.
Mr.. Clement-You will have good
time carrying it out.
Judge Jcwett said that this was
rather a small matter for the Conven-
ton to spend much time upon-thc
real evils under which the railway
system of the country was staggering,
Law deeper than the reach Of any ques-
ton of free passes to editors. But he
would say that the railroads of the
country never could repay, if they
were disposed, the debt due to the
newspaper press for its powerful aid
when the idea of railroad had to be
explained and popularized-the public
benefits shown and the people induced
to come forward and associate for the
purpose Of accomplishing the great
works that now need 10 advocate.
For his part he was glad to have the
editors of the State pass over and ex-
amino his linc-he regretted to say that
he did not remember to have met one OF
the local editors on the line of the
Steubenville road for months. He
could not forget the amount of unpaid
labor performed in the infancy Of rail.
way building by the only men who
could reach the popular heart in the
most effective manner.
After considerable discussion, the
resolution was adopted, limiting the
issue of free tickets to officers and
agents of connecting roads, and for
charitable purposes.
1t is gratifying to know that in this
convention there was even one rail.
road man willing to do justice to the
press. We are almost daily impor'
tuned to devote the use of our press
our industry, our talents and oul
money--to the service of one railroad
project or another This we could
consent to all the more cheerfully
were We assured that hereafter We
saosid net he repaid with the grosscs'
scorot;tude "Burnt children dread