Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-01-31


der deep obligations TO the State and people Of
New York fOr their liberal ". foresight ard en-
terprise IN taking the risk OF investing so much
capital IN those great channels of cOmmunica-
Ton She Is certainly entitled 10 tho profits on
the trade she has enticel to her marts, and ample
I pay for the labor in transmitting il there; but
what suggestions we have 10 make is founded
upon the comfy that exists between us rs States,
and our people and yours merchants and Gus
TONERS: and we only ask such legislation as you
may deem compatible with the interest Of the
State and people. and as will not infringe upon
the obligations already entered into with those
corporations.
We presume that. in a normal condition of az
fairs. such existed before the breaking out of
the war, that the business done upon the rail
roads and canal passing through your State. at
/ the rates then charged. was fairly remur erative
as they we're enabled to add great Improvement
/ 70 their works pay comfortable salaries TO their
officers and good wages TO their employees, and
letve liberal surplus for dividends and interest
on the capital invested.
We further perceive that n large increase Of
business, probably fifty per cent. more than they
ever enjoyed before, would have enabled them TO
have diminished their rates, and still have re
tanned largely increased revenue sufficient to
have satisfied the demands of ordinary invested
capital especially VIII re that increase OF business
was caused by the mslortunes of their customers
without whose patronage their works would be OF
very diminished value But we fluid, contrary to
such we'll founded presumptioDs. there has been
an increase of rates upon ireights amounting to
over forty per cent, swelling their profits to IN
enormous degree: increasing the value of their
security. enhancing the revenues of their State
and distributing the drppings Of sudden increased
wealth into every avenue where is influence ex
tends We reflect, too, that where this assess
ment falls upon property going from or coming
to our State il is Just that much money lost 10
our people and diminishes our ability To provide
against similar contingencies in future 50 Sc
we're has il become that in some cases, the cost
of transportation exceeds the original cost of the
article here four fold in others two fold, and,
average ofour trade, 1t safely be set down as
| one half
These things cause people to murmur
/ We hear complaints all around us that, while we
have cheerluily submitted To blockade of our
natural channels of trade for the general good,
aud have furnished every requsition made upon
us for men and money To assist the Government
IN preserving the institutions common to Us all,
and have made voluntary sacrifices not demanded
of US by the authorities. to protect the interior
| from the ravageS of war: vet, with all this, we
| find we have new burden laid upon us by those
whose revenues were heretofore founded largely
upon our patronage, and who now have com
mon interest with us in the sacrifices We
making. These complanngs not calculated
to secure that harmony and good feeling which
should exit between people engaged in common
cause. and we hope in future reason will exist
for their continuance.
But il is not alone of the nigh rates charged
that we complain, but it is that reghts raised
, without due notice being given. leaving the ira
der to pay the extra charge when the articles had
been purchased with reference to the pre- existing
state of affairs. and cases come to us well anthem
al,
freiehts after the stock registered in the office
Of said Company rs ready for transportation
Our people had remedy in reach-no choice
but 10 endure, except b, the friendly operation
OF the State from which the companies derive
their charters.
We therefore pray your honorable body that
such legislation may be had will restrict the
railroads passing through the State to as low
rate of freight rs will be remuneratve to them
and not oppressive to Us; and that there shall be
no advance Of freights without ut least thirty
days public notice being given, and no advance
be made upon freights which have been rendered
to the companies ready for TRANSFORMATION.
In reference To the New York and Erie Canal,
we are not aware that there has been ans increase
OF tolls within the last two years, but we know
that owing to the unusual amount of freight
Offered in the autumn of 1872 that the cost of
transportation was in some instances more than
doubled. This. of course, WAS lost to the pro-
Queer or merchant who forwarded it, for the OBJ
viOus reason that such advances could cause no
corresponding change in the markets OF the
world, which struggling % reach.
We therefore think that for the present at
least. some restriction might be placed upon
boats and transportation companies to the
amount they should be allowed 10 receive, so that
our merchants aud traders fix upon some
amount approximating to the cost of getting
their goods or produce to market: aud it, upon
examination OF the premises, YOU find that re
duction of tolls will not reduce the revenue
below an amo mt to be expected even in the
most pros eOu> times, and YOU should make such
reduction, il " L certainly ever he remembered
with er ititude by the people OF State.
We that it may be said that the
gumeut We Use would apply with equal force to
other States and also To other modes OF trans
portation than by railroad or canal This we
readily admit; but the present position of affairs
is and untried-we must commence some
where TO remedy the evil of which complain,
and we know no State to which We can appeal
with rs much hope of having Justice done 10
the great State of New York, which has ALWAYS
shown magnanimity aud craftsmanship cores
ponding TO her resources and geographical posi-
ton
We further pray your honorable body that
should YOU i'm looking over the IL gislation of the
past, find .hat any article important IN our trade
ana necessary to the comfort OF our people, has
been specially taxed in freight, restricted in
manufacture SO as 10 make 1t subject ~ Specu
laion or hinder the ready and free exchange OF
important commodities between ". that such
legislation may receive such notifications as tie
exieency OF the times will suggest
In conclusion, we beg leave to congratulate
your State upon the material prosperity which
has blessed her people, and upon the patriotic
sacrifices they have made in the present war. We
also congratulate them the noble stand they
have taken in favor OF tie reserved rights OF the
States and OF the people, and of rigid obSer
vance of the Fe ieral Constitution 1.-THE sheet
anchor of our peace at home and safety abroad y
/ The representatives of people who have never
failed to support the State governments in all
their rights rs the most competent administrations
for our domestic concerns and the surest bulwaIks
against anti Republican tendencies"
equally with yourselves. the supporters of 1.-The
General Government in lis whole constitutional
vigor,' subject to the grants and Limitations of
/ the solemn compact which. for general purposes
constituted it the agent of the States and the
/ people
/ So long as such States rs yours battle with
I equal zeal against anarchy among the members
I of the Government aud the centralized monopoly
! OF power in the hands of it, Executive YOU have
our earnest sympathy, and. with such powerful
90 operation, can never despair of the glorious
Union ol our fathers. or believe ii i destined to
/ fall victim To IN uuholv rebellion.
INDIANA LEGISLATURE.