New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-20
RAILWAYS TO Washington.


Of transportation between New-York and tie
Capital. Thirty years ago. when railroads were
as yet On experiment, the State Of New-Jersey,
in order to repay the adventurous spirit of GER
tain capitalists, granted the charter Of the Cam
don and Amboy Railroad Company, and enacted
miles of this railway. 1t took but two years to
show that railroads were no doubtful expert
ment, and the grantees Of this charter obtained
from New-Jersey privilege which for breadth
and ingenuity has scarcely been riyaled. twas
enacted by the Legislature Of New-Jersey,
"That II shall not be lawful at any time during
the said railroad charter, to construct any other
railroad or railroads in this State On. j.. ,oithom
the consent Of the said Company, which shall be
intended or used for the transportation of pas
sengers or merchandise between tho cities OF
New-York and Philadelphia, or to compete IN
business rih the railroad authorized by the act
to which this supplement is relative" For thus
selling its sovereignty TO a company. which has
ever since ruled it with rod Of iron, the State
received from the Company one thousand
shares Of its stock.
Under this rule the whole people ofthe United
State, have been suffering. Numerous efforts
both within and without tho State Of New-Jer-
sey have been Intellectually made TO break il
down. In 1852 company was chartered to run
a road from Camden to the Sea Shore In q line
almost due eastwardly from Philadelphia; This
e. oa-oraI Eaa la.ri In L.
ful operation. In 1854 the State Of New-Jersey
chartered the Rariten and Delaware Bay Railroad
intended to convey passengers and merchandise
from New-York TO Delaware Bay, and TINS con-
meet with Norfolk and the South. Step by step
the work was prosecuted until the Summer oil
l562, when the Camden and Amboy Railroad
Company, perceiying that upon crossing The
Camden and Atlantic Railroad direct and
rapid communication might be opened
between Now-York and Philadelphia, ap-
Piled TO the Court of Chancery TO restrain
the new road from completing its Line. This
application failed and tho junction was ef-
iected Between September, 1862, and June,
1863, while the Capital mas threatened by the
Rebel legions, and the call had gone forth for
men, and every loyal nerve was straining 10
place men end munitions on the. Potomac, the
Quartermaster in New-York applied to the
new roads for means OF transportation
This company, fearing the result and not know
ing the authority Of those making the demand,
applied 10 Mr.. Stanton for instructions. The
Quarter Master-General replied that the de-
mands of the New-York Quartermas'ers were
the demands OF the Government, and Dc such
must he respected. Thousands of soldiers, /
horses and munitions Of war were thus carried !
without delay and in safety from New-York to |
Philadelphia, and The Government recognized
the act by promptly paying for the service.
While the new company ives thus engaged IL
aiding the Government Tire monopolists filed a
supplemental bill in the New-Jersey Chanoery
10 prevent the use OF the road. On the argu-
ment their counsel insisted that the orders oil
the Government were no defense 20 the alleged
violation of their exclusive privileges that the
new road injured their business, thatitwas there
fore a nuisance and should be abaied. The
Chancellor has not yet decided the case.
IL there, then, no remedy for this eyil--no
way to reach corporation whose selfish policy
cripples the growth Of great cities, and would |
cripple the action Of the Government, for the |
sake Of swelling its already enormous profits
There is q remedy. and one which even the
strongest advocate of State Rights must approve.
BY the Constitution of tho United States,
Congress alone is authorized to regulate the
commerce between the States New-,Iersey has
gone too far in undertaking 10 limit and control
the means of transit between the cities Of New
York aud Philadelphia. she.thus assumes the
regulation Of commerce betgesh States, and e1-
cceds her powers. Twice already has Congress
interiored in similar cases. When Virginia
gofnsed 10 allow the bridge at SteubsaYile,
OHIO, 20 be thrown aoross the Ohio,
and, Ike the dog III the manger,
unable to enjoy, refused the rgh, 20 Others,
Congress enacted that this was lawful stsuc-
ture. When the Supreme Court OF the United
States decided that the beautiful bridge at
Nhseliag was nuisance. Congress again inter-
ipled for its protection. Let Congress now ex-
ercle its privilege and It's undoubted right end
authorize the two connecting roads 10 carry
passengers, freight and mails-in other
words, make il postal route. II costs moth
ing, for the roads are built and stocked. Til,
cry of centralizng power cannot bo raised. for
hero is an express authority given BY the Con-
of the United States.
Congress cannot resist public aep'iment