Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-02-10
MApI.o.. February s.h. 1866


There has beer q smsttering Of Railroad
legislation this week. Two important hills
have been introduced. The first by NJ Rsh-
bins. of Grant. respecting Railroad freights
The main feat RS of the Oil are, that it pro-
hibits the different Railroads of the STATE
from making any disiii C on bets ee per ,
corporations, ar companies In freight cha
gee. and provides that they shall extend equal
facilities and privileges to all in receiving or
delivering freight al any depot. or dock. and
that no rebate or drawback shall lie allowed
in any manner VIII .tsoever from tbs establis h
cd rates Of freights. IL fixes the maximum
rate. that may t.. charged from any point on
the Prairie du Chen and La Crosse reads To
Milwaukee at 81 per ton. and stations more
than 200 miles from Chicago, at s. per ion.-
Aud any road that violates any of t'.ese pro-
visions shall forfeit $4,000 90 TO the patty
agrieyed.
A law somewhat analogous has been enac-
ted by the legislature of Illinois. bat in its
enforcement has been almost entirely sbor-
tive.
The bill introduced by Senator Bentley, of
Sh,bovgan. is still more carefully prepared
and covers the wlole ground could it become
permanent law without alteration or amend
ruent.
But these Railroad men have an eve epen
er, and one single to their interests. II wauld
be a miracle If there is a Law enacted by the
Legislature that will materially damage Rail-
road monopolies. The object of railroads il
a benefit To the public. aud the State ought to
retain SD much power. interest and integrity
AS to regulate them TO that end, uninfluenrei
by the gigantic powerof monopoly, unmoycd
by fear or free passes.
Senator BentIey's bill provides !ha. board
of thrre Railroad Commissioners be appoint-
ed by the Governor. and that the exclrs;y e
power be conferred in this board to rrgH late
the price of transportation and assengcr
rates upon the several railroads in the State.
They are to receive three thousand dollars
per annum for their salary. Should this bill
become Law it Will create ne W officers with
large salaries. But if they are selected with
fare and discretion. possessing integrity OF
the right stamp, and I,y their judicious NAT
ageinent break down these mono,s1~s, and
.Iiete Gu, Justice Il exuality to al III. sa'-
ary, of itself is of no considerations fmpar-
lance whatever. for they thereby remedy
the evil, sowing hundreds of thousands of dol
lars TO the honest producers of the Month
west
Mr., Copp, from your county. is TO intro
duce \ bill ON Tuesday. to incorporate the
Mississippi Railroad Compan y.
I IL is to start from Prescott. Wis. running
down the valley of the Mis- sissiPpi River to
some point in the Southern part OF the State.
To intersect with ths Western Union Railroad.
The projectors are heavy Scotch capitalists.
and men of ample means to push the enter
prise forward. which they intend 10 do. il
thew are successful in making certain nrgo-
tiaiions. They purpose TO put the best foot
forward to secure future land grant. which
Is nov in q healthy embryo. The corpora
ters consist of the following named gentle
'4i Rsra.n ". srith. D. ". Dame Rnoch