The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-12-04
WEDNESDAY, EvE'G, DEC. A, 1871
GENERAL RAILROAD Law.

Among the earliest measures which
should command the attention Of the Gen.
eral Assembly at its presents session, is
general railroad law, similar in its provi-
sions to that passed by the Maryland Legis-
lature, and in several other States where
special railroad legislation had become such
y clog to legislative action generally, as it
promises to become in this State. There is
the same reason for general law in regard
90 this class Of corporations as in regard to
all others, and there are now few States in
which general law in regard to incorpora-
tons has not been enacted, and found to be
immensely beneficial in its operations.
Before the passage of such law in the
several States, it is safe to say that one
half the time occupied in legislation was
devoted to the consideration Of these special
charters, many Of which were Of the most
peTnicious character in their operations and
effect upon the capital of the State.
4 general railroad law can be 50 framed
as to be perfect protection to the people,
while it will afford all the facilities and adj
vautages to capital which the most prudent
railroad man might desire.
The true policy Of the State requires
that all proper Inducements should be held
out to the capitalists Of the country to
embark their means in local railroad enter
priscs. 1t is to these enterprises, success.
fully entered upon and completed, that the
farmer, mechanic, manufacturer and gen.
eral producer Of the State must look fer
the means of cheap and rapid transporta.
ton, and for that enhancement of general
values which constitutes the chief growth
in wealth Of the State. A general law Of
this kind will be perpetual bar to all class
legislation or special chartered advantages
in respect to railroads. 1t will operate in
favor of oil capitalists alike, and leave
every railroad man free to embark in what
ever enterprise may, In his judgment, lu-
cratively present itself in the way of in
v.stment.
But the chief advantage OF such law,
s, far as il Immediately Affects legislation,
i that it dispenses with q vast amount OF
unnecessary labor on the part Of the Gem
eral Assembly, which will be annually
ellled upon to consider more special rail-
road charters, ten to one, than there will
ever be railroads built in the State. Many
of these charters, it is well known, are pro-
cured by outside parties for speculative pur-
poses only. An astute and sagacious lob.
hyist viii apply for some special charter,
making himself and few of his personal
friends the corporators Of his imsg nary
road, and Immediately the same Is in the
market to challenge the highest bidder for
an important franchise of the State. In
this way the legislation of the State is
yirated upon by the sharpers iniesting the
lobby, and thousands Of dollars, If not
hundreds Of thousands in time, pass from
the pockets OF the people, in needless legis-
lative expenses, into the pockets of sharpers,
and general brokers in State legislation, as
they in fact really are.
The way 70 stop ell this is TO pass gen.
ersl railroad law, with well-guarded proyl-
bions, and let whoever will, build as many
railroads in the State under 1t as he can
command capital to build them with. Let
railroad corporations be dealt with in the
same way as all others, with no special
privileges looking to monopoly, nor any adj
vantages to one party that might not be
gained by another. Pass such law early
IN the session, and thousands may be saved
10 the State in worse than needless was 0
Of time in outside fights over special char-
ters.