The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-03-13
THURSDAY EvEN'G. MARCH 10, lS'
The Free Railroad Law.

The Free Railroad Law.
After Major Sutherlin had concluded his
great speech last night in favor of the sub
stitute bill Of Mr.. Booker, Of Henry, iora
free railroad law, which occupied two days
in its delivery, a motion was made to lay |
the bill on the table, which was defeated
by decided majority. This was an unex-
pected triumph Of the friends of the mea-
sure, and gives assurance that Mr.. Booker s
bill is acceptable to a majority OF the
House.
The speech of Major Sutherlin was
most able and exhaustive one, and must
have convinced majority of those who |
heard it that the true policy Of the state
requires the passage of general law On
tue subject of railroad charters, IN Or
der to remove one of the greatest draws
backs to legislation heretofore expo
renced by our General Assembly.
The Lobby" will of course fight it,
and so will those who mistakenly
crap at railroad influence and power; but
the people Of Virginia demand that railroad
monopoly, and the selfish policy it pur-
sues, shall have their quietus in this bll! #
Mr.. Booker, or in sumo other measure
that shall be equally effective for relief in
the premises. They are d, termined to fight
this battle out with monopoly, and solve
this complicated question of railroad mali
agement, by bringing the franchise under
their own control, and not leave it under
that ofany monetary power inside or outside
Of the state. The people must a's,rt that,
as the power of eminent domain has been
rightiuly exercised in the building of rail-
roads, and as the kindred power Of taxa
ton has been legally used for their COLI
stiuction, and a the public land has been,
in many cases, literally granttd for the
purpose, therefore, railroads are but inI-
proved highways for the people, and that
the corporations and officers thereof are
public trustees, and, as such, are proper
subjects of legislative control.
This is the true position for the people
O. all the states to take. 1t is that being
TAX n at the present time by the people o I
tn great West, who have been so ground
do sn by railroad monopoly that it has
to zen and still takes three and four BUSH
els Of their great staple, corn, to get one
bushel to market. They insist that rail-
roads are great public highwa Us, with the
right Of all carriers to pass over and carry on
them, on the payment of such reasonable
tolls as the legislatures, granting the right
Of way and peculiar franchise, shall, in
their discretion, see fit TO determine. The
idea that the state parts with its
eminent domain to these chartered corpo-
rations, and that they have oil the rights
and privileges that invested sovereignty
can impart, is utterly preposterous
and wholly ndefensble by argument.
Railroads have scarcely any more
rights than those Of On ordinary turn.
pike company, and private property is con.
Damned in the same manner Tor the one as
for the otler-not passing the absolute fee
but only the franchise known as the right oJ
coy. At all events, this will be the cast
un Ter the bill of Mr.. Booker, as it shoulc
be tie case under every other bill.
1t is idle to say that railroads cannot be
successfully constructed and operated un'
der this general law. Il gives the right to
organize under charters obtained from the
proper courts, with the right to condemn
Ian |, grade, lay ties, complete tracks, pro-
vile rolling-stock, regulate tolls, and enjoy
franchises as fully and completely as under
any special charter. All the objection thai
can be urged against it by any existing rail-
road company, is, that 1t does not grant
such special privileges as are needed to 'os
ter aid strengthen monopoly. The more
railroads there are in the state the less tht
d n.er of monopoly, or Of such combina.
tons as look only 10 monopoly.
Let every lri,nl OF public improve
m,nt in the Legislature vote for this bill. |
W save hundred and thousands of dollar
to the state at every session of the Genera
A ,,mbly. II will bring oil the capita
into the state that can be protitably ex
pended in railroad enterprises. 1t viii
limit the sessions Of our General Assem-
bly, to ninety days. 1t will benefit every
body al everything but the " Lobby" o.
I rose 4 birds that,
Like the gull and crow,
Flock Ter their cai,ion,"
whenever chance of, r.. 1t will be nj
detrllnent 10 tie hglslaton of Virginia Il
clip the wings of these carrion birds-tht
Lobbyists" 1t is what should have beef
done long ago.
Remember his is fight between tn
peope and the Lobby monopolies, AM
beware how yoi cast your vote against til
former to r"''ihen AID iortdv the latter
----------------
THE varying p ol,ss of he Modoc wa
Is suggestive commentary on the decla
ra ion Of the President in his naugura
L. L