Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-03

This bill proposes board of railroad COM
missioners. 1t is the creation of tribunal
which he hoped legislatures hereafter would
give much larger powers than are in this bill,
and that it is the power of controlling the
railroad corporations-arranging conflicts be-
tween them. Railroad corporations take care
to make their dividends, while the public takes
care of itself Every fellow has q railroad
scheme, and he wants to get the best haul he
can out of the public. After he gets his
scheme he wants to run into somebody elses
depot-anywhere to get grab. The conflicts
arising in relation to new schemes, or the
management of old schemes, all comes from
this intense avidity, and the result is they
bring lot of professional friends, who are so
ready with their suggestions that this or that
| scheme is for the public accommodation alone.
lie understood the Boston and Maine got their
project through last year at an expense of
| $4,000, and some fix it as high as $50, 900.
| lie did not mean to be understood that any of
| the legislature got any of that money, but it
went to those atfable gentlemen who come
| here, and are willing to take care of legis-
ton. He was sorry that this bill may inter-
| rupt the business of those professional gentle
men in the future. This is the chief thing
there is in this bill so far as its effect upon
| legislation goes.
1t had been suggested that a board created
| by this bill would be rs susceptible TO infu
ences improper as the Legislature. He had
not said the Legislature was susceptible to
improper influences. The novelty of the bill
| is that no man is allowed to vote for more than
two of the commissioners. He was surprised
| to some of his democratic friends opposed
to the bill, when it is the first time they have
had an opportunity for good many years to
get an office in this State. This bill proposes
that one of the minority party shall be one of
| the commission, which is accomplished by
| providing that no voter shall vote for more
than two out of the three This is right.
There is no distinction between party in the
carrying on Of our banks and other institu.
tons of this State. Both parties are equally
interested in the management of the property
| of our institutions. Politics should never be
introduced into this matter, for it is only
question of establishment and management of
the railroad corporations of this State.
What is the effect of this? Both parties
nominate their best men, and then the voter
makes his selection of two out of the three to
vote for, and you get from this the three best
men that both political parties can afford. 1t
does not 60 into the miaWta of minority vote
which has been elaborated upon elswhere,
but simply provides that if there be minori-
ty of one third in the State they can always
have representative upon that board. 1t is
but fair in this matter to adopt this principle.
1t has been tried elsewhere. Towns in this
State have been in the practice of having one
of their selectmen from the minority party.
In his judgement there was no way by which
a board of railway commissioners could be
created which shall be honest able, familiar
with their duties, and be able to discharge
them impartially, so well as by this way.
1t had been said that such board could be
approached by wealthy railroad companies.
That was a slur upon the intelligence of the
| people of the State. Three men will repre-
sent G2s,000 persons. They exercise the
power of the State, and he did not believe
they-whether from the democratic party re-
publican party, or any minority party could
| possibly be approached by any set of railroad
| men, by influences of wealth. no more than
he believed that any one single member of
| this Legislature can be corrupted. Their pay
is to come from the Treasury in the same
way our pay comes. The only difference is
our pay is assessed in the ordinary form of
taxation, and their pay is assessed by the
Governor and Council as they may deem
equitable, upon the railroad companies of
| this State. This would be but a small tax
upon them.
| This was the bill now presented. An
| amendment is to be introduced so that it may
not go into operation until the first of January
| next. And the question is, whether it is
| better to send petitioners for charter to such
board or to the next Legislature. The
| railroad committees are often made up in
| hurry, and though this year the Speaker
had displayed a good deal of discretion in his
| selections, and often sections of the State
are entirely unrepresented on that committee.
| We trust to that committee. The question is
now between the two practically-between
the three men chosen by the people at the
polls, and railroad committee.
What is this commission to do! 1t is to de-
| termined-if you ask for another railroad
whether public convenience requires it, and
| that is the only question that should ever be
put to a board of men who propose to serve
the public. 1t is not a question of how many
| there are now, but it may be question, and
| you have those men to discharge that duty.
If the public convenience does not require
another road, this commission won't give it,
| if it does, why not give it to them?
Men wanting to build road are required
to have 900 per mile subscribed. Itdon't
require the money to be put up; it requires
you to subscribe your $4,000 mile, and
then as an earnest that you should pay up five
per cent. of that money. Is this a hard
ship! A company of men who don't want to
subscribe to the terms Of that bill in that re-
spect want to cheat somebody
This bill was not presented last year or
this, for the purpose of effecting any existing
proposition before the Legislature. 1t is only
for the purpose of initiating legisla-
ton that shall hereafter protect the
public. 1t is. proposed to have it
take effect after years consideration by the
people They act under it so far as to elect
railroad commissioners. If they do not like
it, the next Legislature may repeal it, and
grant charters as they please. 1t takes no
power from the next Legislature. for it can if
it chooses grant as many charters as the Leg
| slature this winter.
| The bill was tabled on motion of Mr.. PIKE,
and Wednesday next assigned for its further
| consideration.
| Adjourded.
BILLS, PETITIONS, &C., PRESENTED AND RE-
| FERRED.
| By Mr.. WooD.-Petition of the assessors
of Drew Plantation for an act making valid
the doings of said plantation.
| BY Mr.. KING.-Petition of Oliver Cook for
lot of land, waving part settling duties.
| By Mr.. Prostitution of Daniel Allen and
81 others for change in the law for the sup
| preston Of drinking houses and tipping
| shops as shall make it more effectual; also