The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1866-01-10


'olicy of the law would permit their
the reasons given for those
efused, would be quite as; interesting
md more instructive upon this import
mt subject. spprehend there must
De in the community very erroneous, ifI
lot crudest, ideas of the lights and du-
les OF the Go. ernor in the matter OF
his prerogative. Certainly there is a
very slight sense of the. due responsa-
oihty, IN regard to the true interests OF
the State, felt by majority of the sign
ers to the petitions. 1t Is useless how
ever, to complain of this. AS long as
human nature remains unchanged, peo-
pie will too readily sign petitions,which
can subject themselves, personally and
to no loss or Inconvenience.
RAILROADS.
The railroad interests of Ohio have
become OF immense value to the stock
holders, the people, and the State
The great changes which this new sys-
TEN of commercial intercourse. has
brought about, are in many respects
obvious enough. In Others, though
equally great, they are not so apparent.
Some well-digested system of laws suit
able to them, is quite indispcnsable.-
But it ls quite necessary for legisla-
tor, framing laws for their taxation,reg-
ulation and punishment, to consider all
these complicated relations much more
cautiosly and widely than he might, at
first thought, deem essential.
Unqestienably some Legislation is
necessary TO protect their lives, limbs,
property and other rights of the people
from the enoroachments or neglects sot
these powerful agents. The true line,
which shields the people, and yet shall
no: invade the vested and equitable
rights OF the companies, will ntcessari
ly be most difficult line to find or to
follow. This ls a generic difficulty
But accidents and special cirsumstan-
ces greatly enhance it. The most i'm
portsnt roads tor usefulness, and there
fore the most important for regulation,
are, tor example, the Ohio roads in q
chain OF connection with those of sew
eral other States. Goods are started at
one of the Eastern cities, and are pass
ed into the custody, for conveyance, Of
corporation after corporation until they
shall reach the delivering company. Il
is delivered in bad order. Vino shall
pay the owner his damages? If these
companies of the alliance were wise tc
their own highest interests, they would
allow no question TO be raised as tc
their separate liability. They would
(as single company pay it, and, as
the most truly could do, assess among
themselves .he proper liability. But
inasmuch as, in puiut of fact, they dc
not, and most OF them lie out of our ju'
risdiction, and in default OF the proper
remedy by the national legislative au'
thority, what is Ohio to do with the
company under her power? Make ii
pay all the damages? That would be
most acceptable to the Eastern compa'
ny, which is primarily liable by ths law
II contracts, aud which tit may bel
committed the inj 'ry. But it would
be uel,her just to our own company
nor good policy fr our State. This
example is OF value for another use
The railroads, II orGer to guard them
selves ,airst this frequent danger, have
adopted fortu Of receipts or bills o
lading, exem .lting themselves from
such liabilities, by the special contract
of the consignor. And they refuse tc
carry the goods unless this exemption
shall be stipulated. Now this is al
wrong. AS they derive the profits up
on their lue as the p2it OF through
line, they should in like manner beal
their due share of its burdens. II may
be very true that the refusal to trans.
port is illegal, and subjects the compa'
ny to damages by suit. 1t is also true
that the receipt signed is of 10 binding
fore, because against public policy. -
Still, the case IL practically great
wrong committed by the railroads, aud
great injury suffered by the commu.
nifty. 1t is one, too, which needs legis.
lation. For large majority of mer
will in such case always suff,r rather
than to go to law against their own con.
tract, although it may have been ex'
torted under sort of duress.
Upon consideration OF the whole
subirct it seems to me that with frank
admission of the extraordinary benefits
arising, directly and indirectly, from
these NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. overestima.
ting their profits (tor the best of them
will not b. found, in the long run, very
proftable,) and without treating this
class, Or its property, differently from
others--,he General Assembly should
undertake system Of proper legisla
tion, which should do justice 10 then
and the people.
The subject has many and intrinsic
difficulties. The principle of oombina
tions by all such interestsj their unsleep
ing vigilance; their great powers OF Be
iucing all authorities, from the County
Auditors, (who tax them,) up TO thu
Congress Of The United States, (whicl
ought to regulate them,) by the Httl,
thing of free pass to self and family
are by no means to be overlooked a
among them. Perhaps reasonable se
we're penalty, against The giving or re-
oeiving a free pass in the case Of off
GERS, would be good law. | shoulC
think 1t would be- acceptable to tn
railroad companies, for they are reall
oppressed aud tyranized over in thl
way. Whether it would so we'll sui
the Auditors and Congressman, is NOR
doubtful.
AGRICULTURAL LAND-GRANT,
The Committee appointed by the lat
Governor, under the authority OF tn
Act passed April l5, 1865, after caretu
examination and consideration, ha
made its report. IL will be duly sub
mitted to you IN special message.