Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-03-18
SPEECH OF
HON. ED. @ FRAY,
of Scott county.

delivered in the Missouri House OF
ReDresentatiwcsM March 2, IS72. ON
the RfI1 20 prevent Corporations
Discriminating Against steam
boats: and from Imposing rom
MR. SPEAKER Having introduced
the bill for which the committee have
offered substitute, it becomes my duty
to give some reasons why ] think the
bill should become law. The bill, sir,
needs no elaborate elucidation, even it |
we're qualified to SO present it. tits
simple IN its nature, plain in its proyi-
sions and justin its intentions. 1t is, per
haps, not generally known by those who
7 do not live in cities and towns situated
upon the navigable rivers Of the Missis.
.uppi valley, that nearly every city and
town situated upon their banks charge
exorbitant rates under the name OF
wharfage, and collect the same from
every steamboat landing at such cities
or towns. So great has this abuse be.
come in many cases, that some of the
different departments of these muni-
.cipal corporations are maintained out OF
these unjust collections made from
steamboats. And further, it is believed
nv many eminent men and lawyers that
this tax is illegal. The tenth section OF
the fnt article of the constitution Of
the United States says" No State shall,
without the consent of Congress, lay
any duty on tonnage.
These corporations certainly have no
mowers other than those granted by the
State. And most certainly the State
oanuot grant the power which is denied
!, These charges, call them what you
nav. are in the nature of duty on ton
mage Again, these wharves, or public
land; ugss in no particular differ from
anv nnbIic street of the city or town in
which thev are situated. They are ac-
ouired in the same manner, paved IN
the same way, opened for similar pur-
poses, free to pu hlie transit. Yet pn-
der !, uretense of maintaining them for
a specific purpose, hey afford a cover
for charging immense sums of money
which is seldom or ever applied to their
repair. Cases can be ci,ed where three,
four, and even FIVE thout'and dollars is
collected, and not fifty dollars expended
on the landing. / am credibiy informed
that the city Of St. Louis collects from
seventy to one hundred thousand collars
year for the privilege OF water, craft
landing at the extension or eud OF her
public streets, and conveying merchan-
disc to and from her markets. The same
amount of merchandise may come IN
over any other portion of her public
streets, by wagon or railroads, and no
collections are made. The same remarks
apply to all other places that exact this
unjust tax. Let me instance case
A railroad is engaged as a public car
rier say from Jefferson City to st. Louis;
a steamboat is engaged in the same
manner. The railroad not only re-
ceived large amount OF money to aid
in its construction, but is permitted to
use the streets of the respective cities IN
freights to and from its cars
without charge. The same remarks are
applicable to all river cities or towns
which have railroads running TO and
from them. But the steamboat when 1t
arrives at the wharf at st. Louis or any
other railroad town, must pay hye cents
per ton on its carrying capacity lcustom-
house measurement) whether full or one
fifth loaded or empty, for the protested
purpose of paying for the injury, and
wear of the landing; not, however,
made by the boat but ~ the drays and
wagons carrying freights to and from
the boats over this landing.
Why this unjust discrimination Is
Il b,acause steamboats, carry freights' and
nasse,, ,gers better and cheaper, and there
Sv compel railroads to reduce their rates Z
ii il because they are the best friends,
= publie carriers, of the producer and
II. ,uerchant7 u certainly looks like
4 l,ut such is not the case. 1t IS be,
sause having first been exacted and
,n;stlv acquiesced in, municipal corpor-
ations have got to believe they hsEe the
-;cbf 10 impose this tax without ever
laKing into consideration the justice OF
ne act Steamboatnen have always
1el;eved that they had 40 right to pay
MS charge. Yet, under pete1ss Of pay
ne for this damage. which they dle not
Io. the charges have become SO great
nd burdensone that they are wiling TO
Day for the part OF the landing Which
ihey use BY keeping it in repair. u oy 90
doing there will Ae some limit 70 ms
great wrong. They further assert tna-