Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-12-26
ly Of a judicial character, referred for
determination and settlement.

Experimentation anu Scttlcincut.
Under this general law, most Of the
railroads Of Illinois, state second to
none in railroad influence aud power
were organized and put in successful
operation. Tho capital Of any Eve or
mere persons Was free to enter the state
AID seek investment under the law, and
the result is that no Owe rshadowing
monopoly, like that arising from spec.
ial or class legislation ia other states,
has sprung up to dominate over public
or private interests. In March last,
after twenty-three years experience
under the workings Of free railroad
law, the legisl AZURE Of that state passed
a new general law, in which it adhered
to the more salutary provisions of the
old, at tho same time that it embodied
many Of the principles Of legislation
which were found essential for the bc*-
ter operation Of the roads, and for the
greater security and protection Of the
'public-alwnys the paramount object OF
the law in prescribing tho duties and
limiting the powers Of these corpora.
titns
Next to Illinois, the great State Of
Ohio has, perhaps, been foremost in
legislative enactment on this subject
Az early a. 1852, she saw the necessi-
~ Of some general law, Of entire uni
formity in its operations, to encourage
outside capital into the state for per-
manent railroad investment. This law
was framed with the same wise provis-
ions that characterize the Illinois law.
giving to the same number Of persons
tho same general powers and privileges,
under like limitations and restrictions.
Under its provisions most Of the rail.
roads Of thst state have been success
fully organized and operated, aud no
two states in the Union can boast Of
greater railroad facilities than those at
tanned under the operations Of these
general laws. Millions of capital have
flowed into these states, enhancing the
value Of property many millions more,
and there is scarcely a village Of eny
size, or commercial or manufacturing
Importance, which has not felt the
quicaening power Of foreign capital
under this law. BY prohibiting the
consolidation Of competing lines Of road,
the States have avoided the overshAdow-
ing power Of monopoly, and the collec-
tive public interest has been uncndan-
sered by it.
What we want in this State is sub.
stdntially such Legislation As has secured
these great advantages elsewhere
Some Of our near neighbors having
walked up to its importance and achiev-
ed satisfactory results, it is not unlikely
that we may be equally successful if We
make tho effort. We are not called
upon to enter upon any untried expert
ment, or to legislate without precedent
in this direction. A general railroad
law will secure all the advantages Of
special charters, and be an immense
saving to the State. in time, money and
legislative morals, when once enacted.
Let US have such law at an early day
in the session, aud one Of the most
troublesome features Of legislation
that of doctoriny special charters-vill
be etfectually avoided.
We may need to revise our constitn-
ton, as Illinois did hers, before We can
get the proper relief: If so, the Legis-
lature should provide for Constitu-
tional Convention to be held at an
early day.