The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-04-10
THE RAILROAD QUESTION.
Reply of General Geary 60 the Business
mes of PiEtsburg-He Is OppOse ed 20
Monopoly, and an Favor of General
Railroad Law.

Railroad Law.
On Friday last we published in TIE EVENING
TELEGRAPH q letter addressed to General GEARY
our candidate for Governor, by some of the pro-
miIent business men OF Pittsburg, asking his
views upon the subject of the railroad interests
of Pennsylvania General GEARY has replied
in the following card, which, like all the utter
ances of General GEABY, is pointed, and
unmistakable in its plainness:-
New CUMBERLAND, Pa, April 8, 1866.-Gen-
tlemen:-Your communication, bearing date
March 20, only reached me on the 30th ultlmo,
and iu compliance with your request l
possible.
You PROFOUND to me three questions, to which
you request an answer, viz;-
i. Win you, II elected Chief Magistrate of Penn
sylvana, faithfully exert the power OF your admin
lsIatlOn so as 10 defeat any and everyd attempt,
made by legislation or Otherwise for the monopoly
and control by any one corporation OF the railroad
20 Wnl you oppose and withhold your sanction
tlOm any LEGISLATION conierrin0 upon the PennsYl-
Yania Railroad Company, or any COMPANY it may
CONTROL the authority to build branches unless the
sald grant should be upder provisions of general
regulating the construction OF rairoadsg
H3 VIII you favor, and use the influence of your
administration to secule, the enactment OF general
law authorizing the construction ana regulation OF
rallrc ads within tins CommonwealthE"
My views and opinions upon these measures
am free to give you, and quite willing to indi-
cate what my official action would be, 80 far as
it is proper to do so.
Pennsylvania possesses immense treasures OF
mineral wealth, and most extensive manutactO-
ries. To develop these, to foster every thing
which tends to their development, and to che
rish and promote equally the rights and interests
of all her citizens, fully believe to be the nigh,
est duty OF her statesmen. regard every KIND
OF public improvement as conducive to this end; ;
and am, therefore, in favor of the most com
pete and elaborate system OF Internal works,
together with proper system oi Protectlon TO
Home Industry, as a means OF converting our
vast mineral resources, agricultural products,
and Manufactured articles into values What
ever shall so improve our commercial inter
course, enable our manufacturers to send the
proceeds of their industry 10 market and 30
place our State at the head OF che manutac-
turing and producing States OF the Union, snail
have my cordial assistance and cheerful appro-
baton.
regard our railroad system as the best mode
OF commercial and social intercommunIcahon.
In addition to the great main lines, the State is
enYeloped IN a network of minor railroads,
which pour an increasing stream OF coal, iron,
| ore, lumber, live stock, agricultural products
and the handiworK OF skilled labor TO the dls-
! tributlng 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
1 overstep their legitimate functions. AS crea-
| lures OF the law, they should obey and be, in
! every respect, subserYent to the law.
/ answer to the first interrogatory, that while
! believe it TO be improper to bring the influence
! of the Executive Department to bear upon the
| Legislature, in anticipation OF its action except
! in the way of Recommendation, am heartily oo-
] posed TO the creation of any monopoly in the
| railroad system of the State, or giving any arti.
I. fetal body created by the law powers which
would place il above and beyond the reach of
the Legislature.
To the second inteuogatory say, that while
a general railroad system would best oOmpOrt
with a sound public policy, it must originate
with the Legislature; and until II shall be esta
bllshed by law, grants OF power may be properly