Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-05-28
CONSOLIDATION OF RAILROADS


The State Gaard gives utterance to
opinions, often expressed by ourselves on
the general suhieet of railroad monopolies,
in the ffllowing terms
I'VE have frequently alluded to the extra
ord'aary efforts of New York railroad com
pauies to effect a consolidation of their
wealth. to secure a strong and irresistible
monopoly for controlling the trade Of the
West. The effort IS to get possession of
the leading lines which now make connec
ton with the great roads running to the
Pacific coast and by this means hold and
direct the commerce Of that section for the
benefit Of Eastern capital and cities. The
Baltimore and Ohio railroad is uniting with
these New York companies, making com.
mon cause against all rivals. The alliance
is powerful, and like al such combinations
will, if successful, become intolerant and
tyrannicai In the meantime, the Pennsvl
vania Central railroad, (which seems to be
the present great object in the way of the
ether roads named, to establishing a vast
ua'ional monopoly is quietly pursuing its
prosperous progress, aud efecting connec-
tions which secure it a reach of communi-
cation with almost the entire productive
portions Of the West It Is now under.
stood that the Pennsylvania Central has alb
sorbed the Fort Wayne railroad, with an its
connecting links, whereby it not only be
comes master Of the situation in the West.
but actually places itselfin position from
which it will eventually be able to control
with commanding influence the railroad in
terests Of the country By this move there
a. llso occurred for Pennsylvania the con-
Meeting link in the Grand Trunk railroad
from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and their
operations are vast beyond ordinary com.
prchensjon, and while we rejoice IN the
success which is sure to add to the prosper
ity Of our State, we cannot reprass A
foreboding that eventually such combin-
atious Of capital and incorporate privilege
must eventually interfere with private
rights and individual interests, and that the
result of building up colossal powers ike
those in question viii be TO belitte if not
ignore the majesty and force Of the govern
meut. 1t would be far safer aud surer for
the national existence and peace Of States,
If the railroad Interests Of the country were
divided among an unrestricted number Of
corporations instead ofowncd By q limited
few, aud those combined in consolidated
monopoly. Like the ownership of the
and That country is most prosperous
where the soil is as equally as possible
divided among the mass and titled in small
farms. But where landed aristocraoy ex-
lsts, there sloth and starvation prevail.
These facts have fearful application to cur
railroad interests. As long as those interests
are divided among corporations bet wsen
which there Is healthy competition, the
public will be benefited by the rivalry, and
land over which the roads pass improved
5y tao desire to build up local trade. But
great consultations, while they may benefit
some portions Of the country, viii so impair
the interests and welfare of Others as to rob
the grand result in its influence on the ma
ton at large, of any real value. But let us
net farbode evil, We occupy a great ooun
try which it will be hard for evena gigantic
railroad monopoly TO spoil Our resources
are inexhaustible, our means Of acquiring
wealth so varied, that there is room for en-
terpriss Of all kinds. The intelligence Of
tho American people viii and must be their
guard against anything Ike an attempt to
make them subseryicnt to any power of
evil