Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-08-21

needle d protection and State assistance
but that time has gone by. The uni
form refusal in the future, Of aid, will
tend to prevent the rapid and abnormal
construction Of new lines, under an
unnatural stimulus, to be purchased by
and swallowed up in old and powerful
lines. This will check the evil in one
direction.
I'd. To have at least three thorough
fares, running from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, constructed, owned aud opera
ted by the general government. where
in the expenses Of operating the roads
shall be paid from the proceeds and the
surplus. if any, 60 into the public treas
ury these roads to be operated as the
custom house, the post-officc, the ca
nails, or any other branch Of the civil
polity. These roads may not be able
to supply the wants Of all but when
once established, will create COMPETE
ton with other lines, owned and man
aged by corporations, and result in low
CT rates Of fare and freight on Ill roads.
We remember that during the 'r"il.
road war" Of 1870, which was kept up
between the leading trunk lines Of the
country, that rates between competing
points, fell down to almost the zero
point. For weeks cattle we're carried
over the Erie and Central roads at =
dollar Car on one line, in competition
with cent head on the others. Fares
and freights fell 50. GO aud 20 per Ct.
We could not expect this, but might
be able to reduce the rates onc-h all. and
then pay running expenses from the
proceeds.
One day in August, it was announced
that the officers Of the then great trunks
were in consultation. On the next day
competition ceased. A new tariff was
then announced. A rise Of from 81
to $3.50, per car per head on live stock,
and other freight in proportion. They
did not stop here. They anticipated
the fact, that when there was glut Of
business for all the lines, and that the
one least busy might attempt to under
bid the others, 50 they devised scheme
to prevent this which was called "pool.
ing receipts" by virtue Of this plan,
all money received for business:done ~
auy road between two competing points,
was to be paid into common fund or
spool" This sum to be afterwards d.
vided, each company receiving its pro-
rata share, SO that, is5Lct, all compe-
tition is cut off,
Sd. The idea has been advanced By
some, that these abuses can and should
be correc ted by the legislatures Of the
several States. That railways are COM
mon carriers that common carriers e.
ercise public employment; that be.
inc nublic institutions are cuntrollable
by the legislatures. This reasoning
certainly, carries with it some plausi-
bility, and is certainly sanctioned BY
the Supreme Court Of the United
States. This idea was entertained and
promulgated by the court Of Kings
Bench, speaking through Lord Holt,
more than century and half ago
But whether. these plans, or the ma
ny others which have been given to the
people, will effect cure of these ob.
noxious evils, is yet to be determined
Wrongs Of such magnitude as these
should not be perpetrated upon a free
and enlightened people; should not 20
unredrcsscd. Tho people have rights
older than railway corporations older
than monopolies Of any kind; older
than the State or National Constitu-
ton. I hey have but to arise in the
majesty Of their power and assert those
rights, which are inalienable and inca
pable Of being bartered away BY legis.
latures. EUREKA.