The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-08

that friendly and frntornnI intercourse
another % soclal religious meetngs and BY commu.
60 the regulations OF each particular branch 4 the
Third Thst in case the above paper should be
various branches Of the Church here here represenled.
% ~ nas a. he s 0a sn5 M O0nvenqn nv VINO @
before the churches shall not thereby be regarded
laid Before the branches Of the Church Tespeoveiy,
but shall be free to act according to the Indications Of
RAILROAD FREIeHTs-At the rooms of the
CommercIal Exchange, last evening, was held
meeting of merchants and shippers, to meet the
Conn mittee of the State Senate, appointed to con-
slider and report upon the subject of railroad
charges for transportation and carriage This
committee comprises Messrs. Shoemaker, chair
mar, Bingham, MoConaghy, Schaal and Wallace.
They were received at the rooms Of the CONNER
cial Exchange, by Messrs, Mingle, Bailey, E. Har-
per Jeffries, Jackson, Erwin and Buzby.
The meeting was held under the auspices Of the
Cham ber of Commerce. It's President, Mr. How
ard HinchmRn was in the chair.
MIR Hinchman gracefully announced the object
Of tn meeting, and introduced Mr.. Shoemaker,
chairman of the Senatorial Committee.
Mr. Shoemaker said that he came TO ask aid In
of Philadelphia. The Senate of the State had ap-
poinied committee to investigate the charges
made against various railroads, that they discrim-
mated ageinst the interests of Philadelphia The
committee have since visited every principal town
along every railroad line in the Stale. They pub
ltcly advertised for all persons having complaints
to make to appear before them. But the committee
found Themselves with an arduous work upon
heir shoulders There are now 1000 miles of rail-
road in Pennsylvania, each in competitor with the
other 1t therefore the interest of the community
that some system shall be devised which shall be
alike advantageous to the shipper and TO the stock
holders Of the various railroads.
The greatest cause of complaint has been that
and the small shipper. The latter receives a large
advantage over the former. 1t is for this meeting
to consider whether this is measure Of public
advantage. The speaker further adverted to
through treights to the west. There disorlmina-
lion is made. The question now is whether this
discriminate 10 for The advantage Of both parties
The speaker, therefore, invited discussion upon
the subject, remarklng that the Senate of Penn
sylvanla was not disposed to act until 1t had first
taken counsel with the merchants of this metro
polls.
Mr.. Buzby, at length, discussed the question,
taking the ground that railroad ought TO be upon
a par with turnpike, bound to carry everything
that was offered to IL, upon equal terms to all.
Mr Buzby deprecated the growing power and in
fluence OF railroads. He demonstrated, according
to his view, that they were rapidly gaining poliu-
cal power. Every station along their lines was
centre from which political influence went out.
Ultimately, unless something were done, their
power would be beyond control.
Elk. Collector Thomas, when earnestly called
upon, said that he was not prepared TO impart
much information to the assemblage here present.
AS to free railroad law, outside of railroad COM
pantes, there was but one opinion. There can be
no question as to the value of active competition
among railroads as ofndividuals. Railroads were
constructed for the benefit of the people, and not
for the stockholders; yet their whole management
s directed to the aggrandz5ment Of the stocknold-
ers instead OF the people. These railroads are not
managed for the interests Of the people. The facln-
ties they extend to the business community are in
Proportion just to their own. They ought to be
obliged to furnish sufficient to bring the pro-
duce of this State to a MARKET and to carry the
goods sold here to their destination. 1t ought TO
be mt de a penal offence not to transport at once
goods consigned TO shipper for delivery Sucn
l gislation would have a most salutary effect.
Mr.. Thomas argued that anything short ofa uni
all citizens of one common wealth; the laws should
bear equally upon all, ard the railroad company
should OF be permitted 10 discriminate TO the pre-
judce of the indi vdual The charge as to distance
must be left TO regulate itself II does not so much
pie OF the neighborhood whence the freight Is
shipped. There can be no question as to the JUS
tce OF this matter for the large shipper can afford
10 pay more than the small one. If there be any
difference, let the large shipper pay more than the
small one. (Applause, long continued) The
speaker hoped TO the time when any party will
ing to pay the expense and 'damages'' for con-
stTucting a railroad would be permitted to do it.
Colonel Alfred Day, of the Goal Exchange, es-
pecally called upon by the Chair, made lucid
and torcible exposition relative 10 the matter in
question: He pronounced the railroad companies
of the commonwealth as public carriers, bound
TO perform The duties prescribed for them oy their
charters Mr.. Days remarks were interrupted
Mr. Robert Hare Powell followed. He severely
snim adverted upon the exachons OF corporations.
He consic cred that corporations were created first
for the people of the commonwealth. The large
shipper should pay the more because his profits
were Inc greater; he should not profit to the i'm
poVerishment OF the smaller.
Mr. Andrew J. Oatherwood remarked that he
was the sixth subscriber TO the stock OF the Penn
sylvania Railroad. He was born in this city, and
took natural pride in it. When he subscribed
to the stock OF the Pennsylvania Railroad he wrote
down the transaction upon his books TO the ac-
count of profit and loss. The enterprise Jagged.
The speaker went around among the draymen,
carriers, coopers and laborers, and advocated the
claims of the Pennsylvania Railroad They took
the stock, nifty dollars at time. What Is the re-
sult The road is prosperous. Now II has bought
every thing that was purchasable. They have even
just bought the Pan Handle. (Applause) They
have got every thing.
The speaker then referred to the various opera
lions of the Pennsylvania Railroad in earnest
terms, denouncing Its management as antagonistic
to the interests Of the city of Philadelphia. Mr..
Senate committee would give relief We may
he but a manufacturing village and a set Of
QuakeTs, but we can be great exporting city. If
the Legislature OF the State will but put Its foot
upon the necks OF these corporators then the city Of
Philadelphia will take its pace-the place to which
II is enutled-as the first commercial city of the
Union,
Mr.. Brice urged the making of a general rail-
road law, illustrating 1t by "reminiscences from his
own business transactions, showing that conslgn-
ors In the west had ceased sending 10 him because
they could cOnsign 1t at cheaper rates 70 New
York, Mr.. Brice WAS heartily applauded.
Mr.. 1. W. Morris seconded the remarks of the
gentleman who had preceded him.
Several speakers followed, urging the adoption
of q general railroad law, and the meeting then
Adjourned.
MEETING OF THE PENNSYLVANIA PEACE So
CIETY.-The second annual meeting of the Penn
sylvania Society was held in the Franklin Insti-
tute yesterday afternoon. The meeting was
called to order by Alfred III. Love, ESQ.,, who,
in the absence from the city OF the President,