Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-10-02

Another method, quite as appropri-
ate, would be to build competing
lines so as to secure cheap transport
tation and Congress is at liberty TO
adope either method or both.
Whether Congress can exercise the
| right of eminent domain or not, for
the purpose of construction a rail-
road; depends, then, uDon the ques-
ton whether the construction OF
such q road would regulate transport
tation by land as a branch of inter,
state commerce. This is too plain
question to need elaboration A halt
dozen roads, OF even one freight road
from Chicago 20 New YORK, con
structed with double track, with
| tariff fixed as reasonable rates, and
lower than those now in force on ex-
listing roads, would create compe l.
ton and reduce existing rates. TINS
would be, therefore, one method Of
regulating transportation; that is, II
would DO one method of regulating
a branch Of Interstate commerce..
| have pointed out two methods
which | believe Congress has tho
power to adopt first, fixing tariff
of rates on existing roads, aud, Sec
ond, the building, or chartering to DE
constructed by private capital, OF
other roads, the effect of which must
be to reduce the charges now made
for transportation. The same argu-
ment which would equally sustain
the power of Congress to resort to
any other appropriate Legislation for
this purpose. The methods mention
ed are only instances ILLUSTRATING
the power of Congress over the sub
IJect; and any other appropriate
method of the accomplishment Of the
same and would DO equally within
he power of Congress | have not
the time to discuss the erpediency of
doping either of the methods iudi-
Gated, or the advantage OF either over
he other. | can only say that
n view Of the manifest difficulties
practical ditficulties-to be encouL-
tered In establishing a satisfactory
raritf of rates on existing roads, the
discomfort certain TO be created from
any attempt to exercise this power,
The prejudice in favor of states rich IL
aud the sensitiveness Of all right
minded men in regard to any enact
ment touching, or seeming TO touch,
vested rights, whether of individuals
or corporations; it might be better to
build national roads to be regulated
under its authority.
| Another fact is entitled to consid.
GRAFTON and is strongly in favor Of
building more roads. 1t is the op-
pinion of those best qualified to Judge
that all the lines of transportation
cow existing are incapable of remov>
ing the present crop in less than one
year from the present time, that is
until the end Of the next harvest.
The crop in many of the North W. est
ern States is from twenty to twenty
five per cent, greater than the crop
of last year. As this section of the
country is being constantly settled
and new fields are constantly being
opened, the disparity between the
crops and tho capacity for trsnspor-
tation will be growing greater year
by year, and facilities will be more
and more needed.
Upon what plan shall these roads
be constructed, whether the General
Government should build them and
then allow any person to put his ow d
cars on the road TO be run uudrr
general regulation, aud 80 such tolls
as would keep the road in repair; 81
keep the road in repair and gradual
y re lmbuise the government the
cost OF building the road; or, whether
it would be best for Congress to cree
ate corporations and permit farmers
TO take stock and build and manage
the road themselves; are questions
of detail which have no time to
consider, having already detained
you too long. My purpose has been
TO direct the attention of business
men towards the remedy by congress
ional action, and if they think favor
ably of it, they will soon solve all
questions as to the precise means
best calculated to secure the end in
view.
Having stated at considerable
length some of the advantages which
| think would result TO commerce
from congressional Interference to
regulate transportation, it ls proper
that in conclusion | should suggest
for the consideration of the people
some of the inconveniences also GER
tain to result.
Inasmuch as the general govern
ment can only perform It's functions
through officers and agents, it will
follow that just in the degree OF con-
gressional interference there will be
an increase of patronage in the fed
eral government. New officers will
have to be created, and agents 40.
pointed for various purposes. This
is, undoubtedly, an Inconvenience
and objection TO the plan l have sug-
gested. 1t is an objection which ex-
lists, in principal, in regard to the
exercise OF every power by the gem
eral government. Theestablshment
of postoffices and the carrying of the
mails is attended with this inconven
fence. Wherever there is a post
office there must be postmaster and
employees, to be appointed by the
government; and so of every other
particular in which the Government
of the United States exercises its
power there must be corresponding
patronage. Many good men think
the powers which the general gov.
eminent now exercise quite as large
as can be properly managed by any
one government; and there is an un.
willingness to increase in any way
its patronage. 1t is said, too, and 1
think with truth, that the tendency
of all power is to encroach, and that
the general government has proved