The Placer herald., 1866-02-17
GFrom the S. F. Spirit of the Times.]
M REDUCE THE RATES.

| n OIL mas OceU 1ntTOuUCcu lHtO tuo otudto
by Senator Kutz, of Nevada Co., calling for
a reduction Of rates Of fare, for travel and
tariff, for freight on the Central Pacific
Railroad. 1t is emnently just measure,
and one that should meet with the best
consideration Of the Legislature. The idea
Of charging ten cents per mile for passenger
travel on railroad huilt entirely by Govern
ment, State and County subsidy aud dona'
tions, is about as bold an imposition as has
ever been practised in this or;any other State.
The people, of necessity, must submit to
it until Legislative interference puts stop
to it. 1t is argued by the friends of the
Central Pacific Railroad Company, that the
difficulties attendant upon the construction
Of the road and the grade necessary to make
the transit over the mountains, costs so
such degree, that the charge of ten cents
per mile is imperative to make any money
out Of the undertaking. That will do very
we'll to tell to the marines, but it wont do
here The are half dozen roads in the
Atlantic States whose grade is as great, and
greater, than the highest grade obtained by
The Central Pacific Railroad, whose rates OF
fare ranges from 5 8 of a cent per mile to
3 cents, and on all Of these roads are second.
class cars for the accommodation Of those
whose means will no: allow them to pay full
fare. This, however, is denied on the Gen.
tral Pacific Railroad, on the ridiculous pre-.
tense that the poorer classes object to not
being allowed to pay as much fare for trav'
el as the rich, under the vague suppostion,
we presume, that ride on the "Ralerode
Keer," at the same rates paid by, the rich,
places the poor on an equality with them.
Such twaddle, stuff and nonsense, is TN.
worthy men engaged in as great an enter.
prise as those are who represent the Central
Pacific Railroad Company. The San Jose
Railroad Company charge $3.50 for a ride
OF SO miles on their road, at the rate Of
nearly five cents mile; but they provide
second class car for the accommodation of
the poorer classes and charge 81, ,25, or less
than l.2 cents per mile for the trip. If
every person chose to take seat in the Sec
ond class car, the company would not object.
The road was constructed with the assistance
Of the counties Of San Francisco, San Mateo
and Santa Clara, the bonds given for the
amount being redeemable with the money
of the taxpayers, rich and poor, and in re-
turn they make their scale of travelling
rates to be within the reach of all.
| But the Central Pacific Railroad Com
pany, whose road is being built by the inn
mense subsidies of the Government, the State
and the several counties aiding the enter.
prise, refuses to reduce the rates Of travel 80
that all classes may avail themselves Of the
conveniences afforded by such mode Of con-
veyance, and charges more than three times
the rate charged at the East, where labor,
provisions and material are no cheaper than
they are here. As the matter nows stands,
it is downright robbery Of the people
whose money goes to build the road, and if
it is not within the province Of the Legisla
ture (though we think it is) to remedy the
evil and force the company to respect the
rights of all Glasses in the premises, let the
attention of the President of the United
States and of Congress be called TO the mat
ter, so that change may be made whereby
advantage will accrue to the people, in the
construction of the Pacific Railroad. If the
same system Of imposition upon travellers is
line of the road, as that portion being con-
structed by Messrs. Stanford, Crocker, Hunt.
ngton aud Hopkins, il will be CURSE ir'
stead of benefit, to the toiling masses who
desire to see it completed and who indirectly
assist in its construction. They never will
be able TO avail themselves Of the advanta'
ges, and instead (as these sapient directors
Of the Central Pacific Railroad argue) OF
the poorer classes desiring to ride at the
same rates paid by the rich, they will be
, compelled to stand at the depot with their
hands in their pockets, and, as the train
moves of, whistle a mournful tune at their
bard fate, which gives the privilege Of the
road to the affluent and rich and debars them
from it. .. ,-.. ..
We are not one of those who continually
indulge in fustain about the oppression of
the poor by the rich. 1t never was intended
that all men should be rich; had it been SO,
the difference between adversely and pros
perity would never be appreciated. But, in
our judgment, in an undertaking like that
of the construction Of the Pacific Railroad,
where millions Of dollars worth Of bonds,
the property of the whole people of the
Union, are absorbed, the, enterprise becom.
ing thereby National in its character, con-
venience, accommodation and security should
be afforded every age, sex and condition, and
upon no dishonorable subterfuge and excuse
should they he deprived of their indubitabls
,, rights iu the premises. As the Central Pa
ci6c Railroad line is conducted, it is gross
,, wrong and outrage upon the rights of thu
people, and for which the company sboule
be held to strict accountability. They
have been allowed to pursue their course 0
extortion long enough, and the brake shoul(
be put upon them now. What if the mel
composing it, when combined, do form
: great power Of organization and wealth, i
that any reason why they should be sllowe'
to go on in the beaten path Of imposition
' and oppressiong We think not; but, on th
!, contrary, they should be called to the bar o
' public opinion and made to account for thei
/ violation OF the rights Of the people. to th
Q fullest extent, though be who demands it b