Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-01-14
THE MA 7IONAL RALLROADS.


TIIE WA TIONAL RAILROADS..
Senator Sherman's speec. of Wednesday
may be regarded as the leading argument in
favor of the chariering by Congress Of a sys-
tenn of railroads. from Washington. Hisre-
marks were directed TO two points-the ne
cessity for such roads, and the power of
Congress to charter them. lie laid most
stress upon the fact that the only access from
North, East, or West, to the National Cap
ital, was by tue one line from Baltimore,
| the Baltimore and Ohio branch Consider
ing the size, population, and commercial
interests Of Washington, and its position as
the Capitol of Nation of thirty six millions
OF people, this condition of things was re-
markab.e. He said this branch, thirty miles
long, made in 1867 nett earnings to the
| amount of $550,903. He quoted charges
that the rates of freight and fare were excess
sive, and that the policy by which this
branch was operated was, first to serve its
own interest, second the interest of Balti-
more, third the interest of Maryland. In
discussing the right of Congress to pass such
bills, he claimed that Congress had such right
under the power 10 regulate commerce be-
tween the States; and he denied the right
of Maryland, New Jersey, or any other
State, TO set up and maintain railroad
monopoly 10 the Inconvenience and injury
of the citizen of other States of the United
States. Finally, he claimed this right for
Congress upon the broad ground of its ne
cessily, internal commerce being as essen
tial TO national existence as armies or ma
vies, or even more essential, and as impor-
tan, an object of government as the pesrer-
vation of life or property.
In the course of his remarks, Senator
Sherman read the following circular from
the chief railroad officers of the country,
which some of our readers may have seen,
but which we print in this connection, in
order To give proper understanding of the
;,holr case =
PmlLApslPnfA, Dec 20, 1868. Sir Two
bills (Sena,e bills 55i and GSD are now pend
ing before the Senate of the United States
each ol whi:L ilcOrp iriitS several cOmpan-
les and authorizes ili,m To build railroads,
seven in ali, ra,liatng from Washington and
extending over seven oreight different States.
These bills confer very great powers and
impose few restrictions; for example, one of
them authorizes the construction of road
10 any point on any railroad in Virginia.
1t is well understood that this is but an en-
tering wedge to system of railroad legisla-
tion by Congress, intended TO extend over
every foot ofthe country. Believing that
such Congressional legislation will be de-
structivc 0fthe existing railroad interests ;
promote wild and dishonest speculation, and
be highly demoralizing in its influence, we
call your especial and immediate attention
to it. Many of the corporators named in
these bills, some of them officers of existing
, roads, have never been consulted.
This has given the impression that influ-
cntial men and companies favor this legisla
tion, who, in fact, are strongly opposed to
II. Under the impression that no such bill
can pass, railroad companies generally have
, not opposed the measure. Prominent Sena-
tors, however, say that the danger is great
and imminent, and that il calls for imme-
ai..'e. and vigorous exerlions on the part OF
S cxiStihS iniir"nd officers to avert. Should
y ms matter appear 10 you as itdoes to us, we
: suggest that You use your Influence with
your friends in Congress, especially in the
Senate, TO defeat all such measures.
]. Edgar Thomson, President Pennsylvania
Railroad.
George W. Cass, President Pittsburg, For
. Wayne and Chicago Railroad.
L. l.. Jewel, President Pittsburg Cincin
natti and 81. Luuis Railroad.
Isaac IIinckley, President Philadelphia
Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad.
Charles r. Smith, President Philadelphia
il and Reading Railroad.
a Ashbel Welsh, Jr., President of Unitet
Companies of New Jersey.
+ A. L. Dennis, President North Jerse,
G Railroad and Transportation Company.
l. William H. Gatzmer, President Camdel
and Amboy Railroad and Transportation
Company,
This circular, coming from men so promi
u nent and practical. claims and will receiv
= respectful attention. But it seems to us tina
y it fails to strongly meet the real points in thi
y casc-he necessity for new roads al d th
- power of Congress to charter them. Con
!" cerning the first, it may be said that the ne
cessity ior railroad is best proven after 1t
built, in lis success, while conversely, il
!, failure TO be profitable shows it was unne
= cessary. If Washington is so important
! city, lis trade and travel so large, as to re
qure Its own particular railway system, sue
as New York, and Chicago-njt to speak {
Wilmington have, then certainly it woul
y seem that line Westward was needed al,
~ would pay, il built. But we can see no re-,
: son why another road is needed to the Mort
and East. One double track line may not h
Il enough to carry everybody and cveryiiil
l. TO Baltimore, perhaps, but once there III
(. accommodations are certainly ample. On
l. road goes Northeast to Philadelphia an
e New York, by II line substantially and d
i rect, aud which cannot be materially short
r ened or improved BY Its bridge at Havr
ly de Grace, its connecting railroad aroun
an Philadelphia, and its bridge at Trenton, til
g. only impedimenis to quick transportation
n between Baltimore and New York hav
le been overcome. So also, for the passenge
IT, Harrisburg, Central Pennsylvania and Ne'
n York, and the Northwest 1t is as short
ot line as is likely TO be practicable. For th
third passenger, who wishes to go directl
Westward, the Baltimore and Ohio road o
v fers itself. Whatever the necessity, there
I'D fore, for more competition between Wasl
y ington and Baltimore, we believe that me-
nc routes from the latter city, in any directio
rs are unnecessary, and not required for publ
a. accommodation. As for ''air line" project
al to run directly from one point to another
ne avoiding large towns and Cities and regart
Oh less OF great natural obstacles, they are, W
&C believe, in large degree chimerical, an
ii' only used to frighten and annoy the preser
g, railroads.
y SupposeS Senator Sherman's bill to be passet
ng Suppose the corporators to organize the
nt roads, and build them. If they pay-that
fthey are made profitable by public patrol
age-it will be evidence that they had rigl
ire 10 be chartered and to be built. "Existir
zee railroad interests are no more sacred than e.
iy lsting smithshops. If there is enough d
'e- mand to warrant more, there ought TO
ny full opportunity to supply them. In th
W. case we.do not believe there is, and v
CT donbt if apv r,rr,dapt railroad rna,, or oar