Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-02-08
A Freq HALLWAY Lnm.

AAG NttFttdAt III WIS EtiAJi AAN iArAi Ai4
OF universal commentator.
1t is 10 be earnestly hoped that this PHI
ianthropic project viii be accomplished and
viii result in the construction Of at least one
more route leading from Philadelphia to the
great west.
Would not a general railroad law, with
liberal privileges, develop largely the wealth
and power Of Pennsylvania? If the mem
bors Of its Legislature would study It's
geography would acquire knowledge OF
the extent aud value of its mineral AMI agri-
cultural resources, and with these facts be-
fore them, travel westward Of Pittsburgh
into adjoining States, ii is thought that the
wide spread industrial advancement to be
dscerncd as the result Of the stimulating
influences of liberal railroad privileges
would convince the most obdurate Of these
gentlemen that Pennsylvania, with a hun
drcd fold greater natural wealth aud advan-
tages. merely requires the adoption Of SINH
lar policies in order TO acquire among her
sister States the supremacy to which she is
so Justly entitled.
When the number Of the population and
when the resources Of this great cannon
wealth are contrasted with those Of other
States, should not the present condition Of
Pennsylvania, locked up by the iron bars Of
one or Two railroad monop0lies, become a
matter Of disgrace TO those who heretofore
have controlled her dcstinies.
The causes which have produced this re-
suit and which tolerate their continuance,
should surely command the earliest and
most careful consideration Of those whoar
interested in the welfare of this State
New Jersey for many years occupied
situation similar to the present position Of
Pennsylvania, in having the energy and the
action of her people restricted aud in haY
ing her general development impaired by
special charter euactments
The sAaekles Of this feudalism, however,
at las, have been severed, not by the magic
sword Of BelisaTdo, but by The intelligence
and decision OF the people Of our State, who
forced the passage OF a general railroad law
which extends to the public equal rights
aud equal protection IN the matter Of railway
enterprises.
1t long since had been discovered that
special railroad charters, with the improper
protection which accompanied them, had
given birth to monopoly, had encouraged
and lesalized oppression as well as eXtortion
had deferred much Of the bone and sinew,
capital, talent, skill and enterprise which
olhcrwsc would have been eugrosscd in
mining agricultural and manufacturing
pursuits; had interrupted commercial inter-
course had produccdlegislahv corruption:
had retarded social, intellectual and moral
advancement, and that with other innumer-
able disadvantages they had enhanced the
cost ofmany Of the comforts and neeessa-
Iies Of life.
The general railroad act of New jersey is
shortly 90 "a into effect From its Intluen.
ces Is anticipated au eu OF Increased and
lasting progress.
II is lu view Of the great expansion which
will be given by tins wise provision % the
general industry Of New Jersey that have
been induced rs one OF her deniZens to urge
upon the people Of Pennsylvania the impor-
tauce Of the immediate passage of g general
railroad aw which viii benefit the CONNER
cial Intercourse between both States, by
by those Who co1}f6Si fh6s' s' Existing thorough
fares.
am aware that to secure the passage OF
a general railroad law has become a matter
of much difficulty, as it initiates against the
interests Of corporations which enjoy spe-
cial privileges, and as it terminates one Of
the greatest sources oflegislatiye corruption.
Among other arguments which are ad-
yanced by the opponents Of this reform
measure, it is ingeniousy urged b. them
that the enacti0u Of general railroad laws
would suppress the investments 10 railway
enterprises, as without the protection which
is conferred by special charters, capitalists
would not incur the risk OF money entailea
by such projects. This reasoning, however,
is a mere bubble in the grasp Of intelligence.
Ii can be shown that in the States in which
general railroad acts are in existence the
amount Of capital which is invested in rail
ways and the number Of these enterprises
have increased since these statutes have
been in force.
Capitalists who associate themselves
together and who jointly invest their money
for the object Of remuneration, whether in
the construction Of railways or otherwise,
cannot properly claim the title of philautbr0-
pists, nor should they enjoy the special
protection which might reasonably be con-
ferred upon this class of beneiactors. Stock
and bond holders of such public enterprises
arc nothing more nor less than a combination
Of business men, who, like them. risk their
money in the expectancyof pec0niary gain.
Why, then, should greater protection or
more liberal privileges be extended TO them
than is conferred upon those who embark in
private operations, which are originated and
prosecuted fOI the same ostensibC rcmuner-
ative purposes
If a half dozen Of the readers of this
communication were 70 undertake jointly
some private enterp. ise which required a
large investment Of capital and which for
success depended upon commercial chances,
would the Legislature of Pennsylvania ex-
tend special protection TO the business Of
these gentleman? Would they not be con-
sidered lunatics in attempting to secure it?
The principle which is involved is the same
in either case.
Then to confer upon particular railway
corporations special protection and privileges,
beyond those which are placed within the
reach OF every citizen, would seem to be a
question Of most serious importance in its
bearing upon the civil rights Of a eommu-
nrjy.
In view of the facts which have been pre-
sented, should not the people of Pennsylva-
MA, as early as practicable, endeayor to Sc
care the inestimable benefits which would
Inure to them from a gen@al railroad law!
have heard it repeatedly asserted that
the corrupt control which has been exercised
over the members of the Legislature of
Pennsylvania certainly by one and probably
by more Of the railway monopolsts has
heretofore prevented the execution Of this
great measure Of general Advancement, of
general necessity and Of general reform.
Il must certainly be q GrdUe lC0ytd that has
such people iR IT, This fact il correct,
should arouse the indignation and should