New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-08
THE END OF MONOPOLY.

The House Of Representatives has passed,
and the Senate's Committee on Commerce has
favorably reported, the bill which is in essence
proposed by Mr.. Wilson of Iowa, providing
that the People Of the United States hall be
authorized and enabled to frard and send freight
by such cIis,ing rGiirJpd or other routes as shall
ogfr TO carry them most eheapiy and ssti.fae-
torily. Such is tho purport Of the bill, while
its terms are few and simple. II declines to 60
the length of oharteriRg a post railway con-
Meeting, by the shortest and quickest route, the
commercial with the political metropolis Of
the Republic, which Congress has clear con-
stitutional right Ia do, and should not fail TO do
If necessary.
The most conspicuous and obnoxious viola
ton Of the natural night of transit and travel is
eyinced in the special legislation of the State
Of New-Jersey, whereby the transportation OF
passengers and goods across that State between
this city and Philadelphia is made strict mo-
nopoly and sold TO the associated Companies
known rs Camden and Amboy. We can
hardly blame the Companies, as the world
goes, for buying this valuable priv-
lcge, whereby the corporators have made sew
eral millions Of dollars; we do blame the legis-
lators Of that State for selling il (and them
selves; but such things ,oW be done, and there
is no help for them but in the action Of that
Congress which is clothed by the Federal Con-
sttution with exclusive power "to regulate
commerce between the States,r and " to estab-
fish post-rCads." Only in these express and inn
portant grsnts of power is there protection fef
the whole people against local rapacity and cK
tortioA.
When this monopoly was granted, railroads
were an experiment, and their (nwatered)
stocks below par. The Camden and Amboy
gentlemen asked for q twenty years exclusive
privilege, and it was granted them. Before it
had expired, they came back for renewal, and
obtained it-ho,o, it were easier to guess than to
show. Now, their renewed lease draws to a
close; but no one hopes for relief from that
source. II will just as certainly be again re-
newcd as monopolics are profitable and legiS-
lators can be bought. And when green Scion
can be made to believe that he is at once earning
heavy bribeland enrichng his State, by legis-
laticn which takes money out of tho pockets of
strangers, no is most unlikely to hesitate.
There is no need to expatiate on the fruits Of
monopoly. All History records them. That
transportation and travel are considerably
dearer and their accommodations poorer be-
tween this City and Philadelphia than on any
kindred route, when they ought (because of
the immense business and the remarkably facle
topography to be cheaper and better, is
only what every intelligent person would pre-
sumo. Give any company or capitalist mo.
nopoly Of carrying hence TO Albany or Boston,
and the same result would be exhibited there.
The last dodge Of the monopolists Is the
cry Of State Rights New-Jersey has o right,
they say, to prescribe the conditions whereon
her soil may be traversed by citizens Of other
States.
We meet the assertion by fat denial. Tho
powers granted to Congress to regulate com.
merce between the States and establish post
roads negative the assumption. The former
power has no meaning, no object, If the monop-
olistS' assumption is well-goundod We stand