The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-04-19

sion of these enterprises the means for
which must mainly be derived from outside
sources, we can we'll afford to be cautious in
all measures of legislation affecting this
great leading interest. In acting on the
subject of railway management, we should
be especially careful not to interfere with
the legitimate use and control, in the hands
lof its owners, of the capital invested in good
faith in this interest. We should not re-
peat the tabled folly of destroying the
goose that lays the golden egg. We should
be careful to take no steps in simple defer
ence to mere individual, local or temporary
Interests, which may inflict serious injury
upon general and permanent interests.
Not that we are to disregard the COM
plants made, and refuse redress for actual
grievances suffered But we should know
before we act how far these complaints are
founded In Justice, and how far these griev-
ances are the results of causes or circun-
stances within or beyond the control of the
parties against whom they are charged
how far, as regards remedies, a healthy
competition, to be fostered and encouraged,
may afford relief, and how far for this pur-
pose the interposition of law may be re-
quired.
If railroad managers, for their own excu-
sive benefit and profit, have been and are
practicing impositious upon their employers
and the public, let us ascertain the facts,
who the guilty parties were and are, and
and then let Us demand indemnity for the
past and provide as far as possible, security
for the future. Railway owners stockhold-
ers and bondholders will join in favor of
such legislation. ....
II the railway companies of the State, by
oppressive tariffs and prices, have been de-
irving exhorbitant profits on capital actually
invested and employed, at the expense and
to the injury of the productive interests of
the State, let the facts be made clear, let us
know how and where. and by what compa-
MES, and to what extent these expressions
are practiced, and then we shall know how
and where and upon whom and to what ex-
tent to visit penalties and apply correc-
tives.
But if it be found that the evils complained
of are mainly the result of the abnormal
condition, of things which has existed
during the past five years, then let US all
wait patiently in returning as we now are
to normal condition, for time to furnish
the remedy n @
As faithful Legislators desiring to serve
the true interests Of the people, we can at
| present do no more; as honest and wise leg
islators, seeking only just ends by fair
means, and regarding the true interests of
railway Corporations as based upon equita-
BILE management, we can do no less than to
provide for ascertaining these and all other
facts, before acting, as essential to just and
intelligent legislative action.
To gather, sift, collate, and report these
facts, is the especial province of the COM
missioners, and one of their most impor-
tant duties, as provided by section of the
amendments proposed. .
| There is no natural antagonism between
the public interests and railway interests.
On the contrary, these interests are identi-
cal, and to divide or divorce them, is to in
jure both,
The railway interest, for success, de-
ponds upon the productive developemept Of
the country; and the higher this productive
developemeft within the theatre of its own
operations, the greater that success. Con-
sequently, wise and comprehensive policy
dlctates-not oppressive tariffs and unjust
observation-disclosures liberal and equal trans
portatiou rates, calculated, while affordin Q
living profit on capital invested, to en-,
courage and promote, in the highest degree,
all the industrial energies which can be
brought to bear within the range of their
influence, and the sphere of their business
attraction. The public interests, for sue
cess, depend vastly upon railway enterpri-
SEES and taciities-the more these, by all
proper meansy-are stimulated encouraged
and extended, the greater is the degree of
that success. . Every hundred dollars at
tracted here as an Investment in these en-
terprises is worth thousand to the State
every hundred repealed by unfriendly legis-
lation, or other causes, may be the loss of a
thousand And the material wealth pro-
duced is not the only measure of the public
value OF railways. The socializng, eouali
zIng, harmonizing and civilizing influences
and tendencies are worth consideration in
making az the-account, and determining
as to Legislative duty.
Railroad managers and legislatures in
older States have gravitated into these ideas,
/ and from identity of interests, reciprocal re.
| latious Of harmony and justice, securing mu-
tual prosperity, are established and preserv-
ed, beyond the power of political dema-
gogues to disturb.
In this State. from tho frequent, almost
yearly transitions and changes in the owner.
ship and control of railways, irregularities,
inequalities, and selfish management, were
an inevitable result. The leading roads arr
now it is believed, permanently located
and in the hands mainly of parties who
have a sufficiently comprehensive view o
their own interests to understand the neea
Of establishing, if they have not alree d,
done'so, and steadily maintaining, with. re
spect tozthe people, liberal and just polio,
of management 30 -a-s
All tendencies are now in the right direc
ton; settled and permanent system j
growing up in our State, under responsible
and permanent management and CONTROL
Relations will naturally, ere long, be estab
ilished from community of interests. a
between the railroads and the public, con
1 ducive to the welfare of ALL aEa
Legislative interference, as proposed, ma,
retard but eonnot aid this consl1rumat;on