New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-06-20
RAILROADS AND THE GOVERNMENT.

WASHINGTON, June 10-The House Commit
tee Roads and Canals say that the value OF commerce
among the States at the time Of the adoption OF tho Con
sttution was only few millions Of dollars In the year
ending March 81 1861 the value Of freight transported
across the State OF Illinois by railroad from Past 20 West
was SAIL The value Of freight transported across
the State in the year from West To East, was
$685. OOO Through freight Westward for the year 1907
Pennsylvania Central Railroad. 1895 sl25.stI9S
New New York Central Railroad isiois it9SiiSOc
These few statistics selected because readily acees.l
BILE. show the immense value Of interstate commerce,
which without any adequate protection unless It is
within the power Of Congress 70 protect 1t commerce
ptv as the vast territories Of the United States west Of
the Mississippi becoming more populous IL seems
incredible that the unlimited commerce which is
destined to pass interior Of the continent TO the
Atlantic, from TO ocean. and which IN the near
future embrace the commerce between ASIA ana our
Atlantic coast, should be subject 10 the diverse ana
conflicting rules regulations ard Limitations 10 be pre-
and yet this IL not only possible, but nearly certain 10
II this vast commerce ~ 20 DC eguated ony py
State laws. IL has appeared IN evidence before inc
Committee by the statement OF the POsmaster-benera
that he has not been able to make a contract Tor
the carrying OF the mails between washington anu NeH
YOIh upon the condition prescribed by law. Inc COu
ntce are OF opinion that Congress mas NOT the c9tln
tOna power 10 eglsate III relation 10 raI3aus w
not form parts Of continuous lines extending IRON ono
state to another II has long been setted tat
has power to prevent the obstruction OF any naygaDe
stream which Is means OF commerce between any Two
or more States; but 1t ~ held otherwise In relation To
stream that IS wholly WITHIN any one STATE Ana uhc1n
neced with the navigabe waters OF another state Ihe
has the power under the Constitution To provide by law
for the regulation and control Of railroads extending
from State, 10 report bill when VIII secure
First the safety of passengers; secondly, UNIFORM ana
equitable rates Of fare; third, uniform ana equitable
charges for freight and tanspoftal0ni IOurth'
uroper connections with each other as 10 trans
poraton Of passengers and freight The Committee re-
or that they have not the power at the present uo 10
report such bill for want OF the necessary Information
upon which TO act n
The minority Of the Committee, Messrs Kerr ana Bar
num- conclude their report follows: IL Congress pos
sesses omnpOent authority ~ impair or disregard inc
obligation Of contract then what Is the value or TINS pro
bbtOn What safety exists for the supposed sancuy
OF the contracts and intercourse between man ana man
i'm society II Congress may impair or disregard the
Obligation OF contracts between State and her citizen
whenever in Judgment becomes expedient Tor the
regulation OF commerce, for any other purpose,
then how is the power Of Congress over all
such interests 10 be restrained Tho power
OF the States over the most important and sa-
cred interests OF their citizens, for their regulation
and protection must then be exercised subject to tho
pleasure Congress- The right OF the States 70 regulate
their own domestic policy in their own Way and TO pro-
teet their citizens In then domestic, personal anu
re.side rights, interests and contracts which Is the
most exalted and invaluable Office OF cYll government,
becomes myth 1t cannot be that Congress possesses
any more right impair the Obligations OF contracts
than the States. We therefore conclude tat the meas
ures referred to and proposed cannot be constuOnay
enacted by Congress- and ought not TO De entertained,
and that the power existed It's exercise would be mex
pedient"