Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-09-04
Senator Morton on the Issues of the
Day.

Extracts from Senator Morton's recent speech AT
Athens, Ohio
lT is trite but true saying tnat in all free
governments controlled by public opinion the
people are divided into parties, and that par
ties are the instruments by which the govern
ment is carried on. The men who entertain
the same opinions, and act together to enforce
those opinions, constitute party, which will
be more or less powerful according to the eff
ticiency of the organization resorted TO in order
to produce unity of action. New parties can
not be gotten up to order, or created by con
ventions and resolutions, but are the out
growth of great events or new conditions, and
are always ephemeral unless founded upon
some great fundamental principle which sep
arates them from other parties. 1t is not neces-
sary to have new parties because new issues
are presented, for it is the business of existing
parties to grapple with these issues.
A special committee was appointed at the
last session of the Senate, invested with ample
powers to examine and report upon the sub
ject Of transportation. The needs of increased
means of transportation, the abuses and deXtor-
tions practiced by railway companies, and the
remedies of these needs and abuses, are within
the direct scope of the inquiry which this com
mittee is instructed to make 1t has been III
session at various points since the adjourn
ment of Congress, and an exhaustive and eiab-
crate report may be looked for at the next ses-
sion. The Senate will then have before II rell-
able information in regard to the condition of
transportation in the Western and Southern
States, and such remedies the committee
may be able to suggest for existing wants and
wrongs.
| shall not now attempt to antic ipate the re-
port of that committee, or TO prematurely sug-
gest remedies for evils, the nature and extent
of which | may not fully understand. But
this much | may say, that the great agrIcultur-
al interests of the Western and Southern States
may look with confidence to the Republican
party for protection, and for the redress OF
wrongs under which they may be suffering.
1t is the party which has accomplished great
reforms, and is now in condition to take hold
with unimpaired yigor Of the new questions
that are being presented And l think
NAV safely promise that it will, at the ruNt
session of Congress, address itself to all ques-
tions connected with the oppression or depres-
sion of the agricultural interests of the West
and South. Without undertaking to indicate
the character of any legislation that ought 10
be adopted by Congress, If any, 1t may not be
improper here to say word III reference 10 the
power of Congress.
Under the constitutional provision giving
| Congress power to regulate commerce among
! the several States" Congress has power to
regulate the great through lines of railways
| engaged in conducting the interstate com
merce. Under this power Congress may eslab-
| lish such rules and regulations for this class
! of railways as will contribute TO the safety OF
| passengers, and the speedy, certain and eqult-
| able transportation of frelghts, aud 10 insure
the more complete adaptation of the railway
| system to the wants and interests of the peo-
| pie in every part of the country. Inc exercise
| of this power by Congress would not interfere
with the State in the regulation OF their do
nestle commerce, or in the control of railway
corporations so far as such controi may be nee
| essarv for their own protection and interest.
| That railways are public highways has been
recently decided by the Supreme Court OF the
| United States, and is no longer an open ques-
ton That railway companies are common
carriers as the office of common carrier is de-
fined by the common law, Is so well settled
| that the statement need not be reinforced by
! authorities. The rights and liabilities OF
| common carrier are we'll settled by the com
| mon law The common carrier must carry Tor
all persons, without distinction, upon the same
terms He must provide sufficient and conye-
nient methods of transportation. tie must
not make unjust determinations III the eXer-
else of his office, and must carry passengers
| and freight for a reasonable compensation
For the breach of any of these duties the com
mon law has already provided remedies, ana II
the breach complained of is eXtoruon, the
question is to be settled by a court and jury as
to what would be a reasonable rate under all
the circumstances in that particular case.
There are great difficulties in the way of prl-
yate persons asserting their rights at common
law against these great corporations, ana Con
gress in the one case, and the state Lesisii-
lures in the Other, may be able to PROVIDE ad-
ditional facilities for enabling private persons
TO ascertain and enforce their rights against
railway companies as common carriers, aho
NAV also provide punishments against Officers
of corporations who have been clearly showl
by the evidence to have been guilty OF eXtor
ton.
have thrown out these suggestions, but