The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-04-24
GEN. GEARY ON THE RAILROAD QUESTION.

you PROFOUND to me three questions toI
which you request an answer, viz /
al WIN you, if elected Chief Magistrate OF
the State of Pennsylvania, lawfully exert the
power OF your administration so as to defeat
any and every attempt made by legislation
and Otherwise for the monopoly and control
by any one corporation Of the railroad policy
o. the State
40 Will you oppose and withhold your
sanction from eny legislation conferrng upon
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, or any
company it may control, the authority to-
build branches, unless The said grant should
be under the provisions OF general law regu-
latiug the construction of Railroads .
SO. Will you favor, and use the influence
of your administration to secure the enact
ment cf a general law authorizing the con-
struction and regulation Of railroads within
this commonwealth !'H .
We regarded the interrogatorieS addressed
to Gen. Geary as unfair for two reasons
first, they were addressed to Gen. Geary only,
and not Jointly to him and Mr.. Clymer; and
second, they were signed by several persons
who had no intention, in any event, of voting
for him. The unfhirneSs of addressing such
and that by men belonging TO another party,
as some of tie sgners do, is apparent. Ney-
ertheless, Gen. Geary has answered the que
rieS frankly: and SO far as any desire may
have been involved to make party capital out
of the movement it has been decisively
checked by the open committal Of our can
d date to free Railroad law. Gen. Geary
says:
My views and opinions on these matters
am free to give you, and quite willing to in
dicate what my official action would be, so
far as proper TO do so. .. ..-
Pennsylvania possesses immense treasures
of mineral wealth, and most extensive manu-
factories. To develop these, TO foster every
thing which tends TO their development, and
to cherish and promote equally the rights
and interests of all her citizens l firmly
believe to be the highest duty of her states
men. regard every kind of impl ovement as
conducive to this crd, and am, therefore, in
favor Of the most complete system of Internal
Works, together with proper system Of Pro-
lection 10 Home Industry, as means Of con-
yerting our vast mineral resources, agricuI-
tural products and manufactured articles
into value. Whatever shall so improve our
commercial intercourse, enable our manuiac-
turerS to send the proceeds of their industry
to market, and SO place our State at the head
of the manufacturing and producing States
of the Union, shall have my cordial assistance
and cheerful APPRECIATION. ...r- ~.
regard our railroad system as the best
mode Of commercial and social intercommu-
uication. In addition to the great main lines
the State is enveloped in net work of minor
railroads, which pour in al increasing stream
Of coal, iron, ore, lumber, live stock, agricul-
tural prodccts, and lhe handlwork of skilled
labor, to the distributing points within, and
beyond our borders.
While these corporations continue to act
their part as public servants, they should be
carefully protected. They should not be
permitted to ovcrstep their legitimate func-
tions. AS creatures of the law, they should
obey, and be in every respect subseryent to
the law. ......
In answer, to the first interrogatory, that
wkile believe it to be improper to bring the
influence of the Executive Department to bear
upon the Legislature, in anticipation of its
action, e1ceptin the way ofrecomnendation,
| am heartily opposed to the creation of any
monopoly in the railroad system Of the State,
or giving any artificial body created by the
law, powers which would place it above and
beyond the reach of the Legislature
To the second interrogatory, say, that
while general railroad system would best
comport with a sound public policy, it must
originate with the Legislature, and until it
shall be established by law, grants of power
may be properly made to construct branches
when they are desired by the people who are
Immediately interested in the matter, and
would promote the development of their prop
erty, and afford them avenues to market
Such grants being so restricted AS not to
violate individual rights or public interests
In reply to your third question, which 10
my mind includes both the others, say again,
that believe general law regulating the
construction Of railroads and grants of power
for that purpose to be most consistent with
the public policy and interests Of the Com
monwealth; and entertaining these views l
would certainly use the legitimate and con-
stitutional power of Executive to secure such
desirable result
The spirit of monopoly in this and other
matters should be discouraged in republican
government, and I have no sympathy with
any policy which may be designed for its
encouragement, .......
/ am, gentlemen, with high respect, your
obedient servant, JOHN W. GEARY.