The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-21

uangeL IN tne creation of monopolies, for in pro-
poruon as they are increased are the rights of the
cluzen abridged. Had such a proposition been
made In the early days Of the commo n wealth, OF
| even quHteI OF a century ago, or when this
| company applied for its charter, It would have
been IeOukeu Oy the people, without distinction of
party, upon It's hrst annunciation.
am not inimtcal to the Pennsylvania Railroad
company, put am positively It's friend. L honor
h the nahagemeht h @ tor the energy displayed in the
snare they nave taken with others the develop
ment Of our State, and am determined that IL and
all other corporations shall be protected and de-
iended IN all their rights, privileges and fran
chises already derived, or that may hereafter be
derived from legislative action; but when they ask
. ior unliinite9 MI privileges which can and may be
used as engines 10 threaten, endanger and con
troll the interests, and perhaps the Verv action of
the government, by the ABSORPTION of our internal
improvements and every branch of iuteres with
the state, and the holding of MANY thousands of
our people In u dependent condition, they must be
refused, '
1t is said that other corporations have had un
limited powers conferred upon them, and no evils
nave resulted But as far as such cases have been
cited, Ind upon examination, that thew were,
almost without exception, conferred upon the
stockholders on terms, and with limitations, and
not upon the directors, And if there were such,
and they were known to be wrong i'm rinciple, III
Is one OF the best and strongest rea sons why the
Ptacuce should be discontinued. If 1t is right
that the Legislature should confer uni mited pow
ers upon one institutions il has right to ultiply
such corporations az its pleasure and If they should
be managed by those whose predictions and in
teIests would be similar, the control of the COM
monWealth would be itrelTievaby committed to
thelr hands' ana the sovereignty would depart
2
proper man cement of the company that it's capi-
Va. should he increased let IL be done heretofore
requested by them, gradually by the Legislature,
Just as the necessity for such increase can be clear
~ demonstrated, and after due notice, that 1t is in
tended to make application fer such increase OF
holders.
Prior to the late election, I found among the
people throughout the State that the Important
question of railroads. in all its shapes and guses,
could not be properly ignored. 1t twas regarded as
a matter OF such paramount importance that
pledges were asked of the guberEatorial candi-
dates, and certain interrogatores addressed to
them to which answers were required. One OF the
interrCgatories addressed to myself was in these
words, viZ:-'Will you, II elected Chief Magis-
trate of Pennsylvania, faithfully exert the power
Of your administration to defeat any and every
attempt made, by legislation or otherwise, for
the monopoly and control, by any one corpo-
porauon, Of the railroad policy of the State!n
To which l, in good faith, replied, 'that while
believe 1t to be improper bring the influence OF
the executive department to bear upon the Legis-
lature in anticipation of its action, except in the
way Of recommendation, l am heartily opposed to
the creation of any monopoly OF the railroad sys-
tenn of the State, or giving any artificial body,
above and beyond the reach of the Legislature"
And in my reply further stated that "the spirit
discouraged in a republican government, and
have no sympathy with any policy which may be
designed for its encouragement"
And in speaking of railroad companies further
remarked, "while these corporations continue to
act their part as public servants, they should be
carefully protected. They should not be permit
ted to overstep their legitimate functions. As crea-
lures of the law they should obey, and be, in
every respect, subservient to the law"
In accordance with the doctrines thus pro-
nounced the public have rendered their verdict
and expect of me strict compliance of the pledges
then given. These are not new doctrines or prin-
ciples. They were fearlessly enunciated in the
incpient part OF the campaign, and were discussed
freely by the people, by the press and by public
speakers generally throughout the State. feel
that am solemnly bound to obey these pledges,
and have no desire or intention to evade or dis
obey them. The people may rest satisfied and
sured that neither this nor any other pledge given
them when was asking their suffrage, shall be
violated.
That the people have an indisputabe and inher-
ent right to instruct their public servants and TO
mould and fashion their institutions to suit them
selves, no one, believing in republican form of
government, will for a moment pretend to deny,
and believe the correlative obligation, that those
holding office are bound to obey, is equally true
These instructions were conveyed to in the best
possible mode, through the ballot-box. Viewing
this question without prejudice, no man can doubt
that our citizens are earnestly opposed to the
granting to corporations any unlimited powers
which may be converted into monopolies, and
which cannot be held subservient to the Legisla-
ture and TO the true interests of the State.
solicitous regard therefore, for truth and JUS
tice, has impelled me to the course l have taken
upon this subject, and with the full assurance that
have done my duty, I herewith return the bill
without my signature. JNo. W. GBARY,