Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-05-03
naiIp Hrnnrbrr Sournal.
RAILROAD CONSOLIDATION.
AU q Z 3 t "A, III
TUESDAY MORNING, May 8. 1870.

The question of railroad consolidation
is before the Massachusetts Legislature
in connection with the matter of cheal
transportation. Mr.. Edward Crane, who
has made railroads life study, was before
special committee, also the principal oil
ficers of the Eastern and Boston and
Maine roads, and all the facts elected tend
ed to show the benefit of consolidation.
The Newburyport Herald in noticing the
matter says that all do not see how consol-
idation will benefit the public, and remarks
as follows: t0sfs f.,aff4k
First. they labor under the impression that
one corporation would raise their tariffs, max
ing us pay more for travel and the transporta-
ton of merchandise. This would not be so,
since any act of consolidation would certainly
provide--as all such legislative acts have
that the rates should never be raised. Next,
they think that competition is favorable to the
public. In this they are mistaken. If but
one road existed between Newburyport and
Boston, and that cost three million dollars,
then the public which used that road would
only have TO pay for the operation of one road
with the interest on that cost but if we have
two, then we must pay double the cost of OPP
Grating and the interest On the six millions of
cost; and if we had three it would be still
worse Every railroad built, not absolutely
needed, is a tax on the people-on every per-
son and every piece of property along the line
of that road This is so plain as not to need
illustration.
The remedy for high fares or freights, or
for unaccommodating corporations, Is not in
creasing their numbers, but in compelling the
existing roads to perform the uses for which
they were created. This the State has the
right to do. Railroads are simply improved
highways-the creatures of the people; the
State transfers to them its sovereign powers
the power to take private property, not for
private uses, but for public good; and having
so endowed them, it never can lose its right
TO control and supervise them The people
through the legislature. can locate their de-
pots, arrange their trains so that they shall ac-
commodate the public, and fix their fares :;
more than that. it can any day revoke their
quarters and take possession of the property.
A law is now on its passage through the legis-
lature declaratory of the rights and powers
of the State; and recently Board of Com
missioners has been created to actfo the pub
lie good. There is, then no more necessity
for two roads where one can give all needed
accommodation than for a single person to
employ two carriages to convey him from the
tlepot to his house. Consolidation under
proper restrictions is feasible to the people,
and has so proved wherever it has been tried.
We have ourselves no doubt that the East
ern and Boston & Maine will be consolidated
within five years; and so it will be with par
allcl lines elsewhere. Nor have we any
more doubt that within quarter of a century
the absorption of all railroads by the State.
to the end that they may be operated in the
interests OF the people, will be in full process
of adoption in all parts of the country. Then
we shall develop the utmost good of the rail
road system, and its greatest ability to con-
vey passengers rapidly and transport mer-
chandise cheaply.