The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-06-23

inserted clause in the Internal Revenue bill
giving to gas companies the right to charge
the revenue tax to the price Of the gas and col
lect it Of the consumer. Another clause is
also added giving the city railroads the same
power or to increase their fares to an amount
equal to the revenue tax. This manifestation
Of friendship for these monopolies is certainly
very remarkable and is another proof Of the
truth of the charge that Congress is becom-
ing jobbing body. 1t ia somewhat singular
that this privilege should be given to those in
terests which are, in all essential particulars,
monopolies. Both railroads and gas compa-
MES are chartered by the State Legislatures;
theformer are given the privilege Of using GER
tain streets upon condition that they shall not
charge over specified sum for carrying pas
sengers the latter are given the right to lay
down their pipes through all the streets and
lanes of our cities under specification that they
shall not charge over given price for the gas
furnished the citizens. In the former case all
other railroads are prohibited from running
over the same route, and in the latter the gas
companies are protected against any other par
ties laying pipes in the same street. Thus, in
effect, all competition is cut OF and they have,
in all essential particulars, a monopoly of the
business as far as their districts extend.
IT certainly does not seem just that Congress
should step in under such circumstances and
allow these companies to charge higher
price than they are permitted by the Legisla-
lures of the States. Ii there were sufficient
competition to control the price and adjust it,
as in other business, to the supply and de-
mand, it would be altogether d iferent. But as
it now stands all competition is in reality cut
of, and the public have no alternative but to
pay the price demanded or 60 without 1t.
Large dividends are declared both by the city
railroads and gas companies, and their stocks
are not to be had at any price, except OF execu-
tors sales. There is, therefore, no chance for
plea Of being obliged to run their cars or
furnish gas at ruinous rates to justify this legs-
lative relief by Congress. II is nothing more
nor less than voting these companies an an
nuity, to be paid by the mass Of the people.
Nor is this the only objection. Congress has
no right to interfere in this matter 1t is purely
rights of States in regulating their internal
affairs. If the railroad and gas companies find
that the prices fixed in their charters are too
low for them to pay the increased burden OF
the revenue lax, then their place for relief Is
the State Legislature and not Congress. The
latter has no Jurisdiction over the question, as
the courts must decide whenever case is
brought before them. 1t is an Infringement
upon the rights of States more direct than the
liquor case recently decided in Massachusetts.
The United States Senate by its course has not
only shown its disposition to assist the mo-
nopolies but also to do all that 1t can toward
centralizing power in the hands of the general
government the greatest evil which now
threatens us and our institutions.
THAD STEVENS REVIEWED BIZ MONTGOMERY
BLAR.-Onc week ago to-day ex-Postmaster
General Blair delivered speech at Frederick,
Maryland, on the tissues Of the time" in which
he took occasion to point out the results that
must follow the present system OF Legislation
in Congress in regard to the reconstruction Of
the South. In the first place he showed that it
was contrary to the avowed object Of the war
and that Stevens and his faction are trying to
secure subjugation instead Of restoration. The
historical points raised in this speech are very
opportune and forcibly stated. Mr.. Blair
clearly shows that the policy Of the radicals
towards the Southern States Is without par
alel in the history of the world and directly
in opposition to the policy Of our own govern
ment in suppressing former rebellious and, by
way OF Illustration, recalled the conspiraces in
New England against the Union at the time OF
the second war with England, the Hartford
Convention, also the Buckshot war in Pennsyl-
vania, where Thad Stevens advised all his asso-
ciates "to throw their conscience to the devil
and carry out their scheme at all hazards.
The action Of Congress since the commence
ment OF the present session is thoroughly ex-
posed, from the adoption of the Freedmen's
Bureau bill down to the numerous constitu-
tional amendments. The working Of the
Freedmen's Bureau. under the management OF
the New England agenis, is also shown up and
the declaration made that We are fast drifting
in our policy into the system practised by
England toward Ireland, the result being
that New England soldiers will soon be sent
there to collect taxes in violation OF the great
principle involved in the revolt Of the colonies
from the rule Of England, 'txation withcx
representation All this is being dfcc upon
few radicals may retain poYggro suffrage and
the country negro sSGir was unusually pointed
anegro burefBn this occasion, and indicated in
In hiss.5kablc terms the revolution which now
threatens ms rs the result of the fanaticism now
ruling in Congress.
GOVERNOR BRowSLow LEADING Orr Gov
ernor Brownlow has issued his proclamation
calling the two houses OF the Tennessee legis-
lature together at Nashville on the 4th OF July,
10 consider the constitutional amendment