Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-02-18
NASHVILLE UNION AND AMERICAN TUESDAY FEBRUARY 1878
nAtLRoAD FRRleHTs.

ro'tlie Editor of tie Union and american
There is now pending before the Legisla-
ture proposition osteilsiblg IN the interest
of the people, but really II direct con-
prevention of their interess. L allude to the
bill which seeks to regulate the freights on
railroads. It purpoIts to have for It's object
a prohibition upon the parS OF railroads to
discriminate in their charges. Let me warn
the Legislature, that there is more in this
measure than appears on its face.. The re-
suit of this measure, if it we're passed, and
could be )nstitutiOnally enforced; would
be to prohibit any railroad in Tennessee
from carving ''throuSh freight" and to
give all Of this trade to roads
that flank the Sbass. ] do not say that
this is the object OF this measure. l do NOT
intimate that railroad compaoies outside
Nofour State with Vie8 to cripple our trade,
are endeayoring to secure the passage Of
this measure; but repeat that such viii
be the result if this bill is passed and enforc-
ed. So far from making way freights cheap
er, twill make them higher. Because ifyou
destroy the through transportation The COM
panies will be compelled to make Up their
loss by charging proportionally higher for
way freights. 1t must be borne in mind
that there is not single railroad company
to-day in Tennessee charging as
much as their charter allows
them on fr5ights; and if you cut off one
portion of tneir trade, they will of course
increase their charges OF the other. This
is the reason why protest against the pas
sage of this measure. | live at a way sta
ton, and have to pay freights, and l know
that if this bill becomes a law, the tariff on
this character of freights viii be immedi-
ately increased. know that the bill now
pending in the House provides that the
companies shall not charge more for way
freighis than they were charging in proper
ton for through freightS for the same day
in 1872; but Iapprehend that it is perfectly
safe 10 assume that the author of the bill is
the only mani in the Legislature ignorant of
| the fact that you have no constitutional
power to prohibit the companies from
charging every cent allowed them by their
| charter.
But we are told that some of the compa-
MES are discriminating in their freights
| against the business of cities and towns ii
| this State. Ii this is true they ara violating
the law as it now stands, and the remedy is
| full, ample and complete. The 10th sec
ton Of the act of Nov. %, 1865, declares:
"Any railroad company receiving aid under
this act or the act this is intended TO amend, or
| any amendment thereto, who shall discriminate
| in their freight or passenger tariff against the
| business of any city or torn or place in this
State, or carry freight lower in one direction than
| another, or refuse TO give the citizens of this
State equal facilities for transporting their
| freight to or from any point they may desire TO
| ship to or from, with the citizens Of any other
| State, whether the act be committed within the
limits of this State or not, shall upon conviction
be fined in the sum OF not less than one thousand
| dollars nor over five thousand dollars for each
| and every offence"
This act reaches precisely the evil CON-
planned Of, and if the act be constitutional,
and the companies are violating it, why GOi
eEforce it in the courts? If, however, no
such violation exists, or if this character OF
legislation be unconstitutional, why persist
in encumbering our statute-book with such
unwise and useless legislation?
This bill, then, as have shown, can not
afecs the way freights, except it be 10 raise
them. What, then, will il accomplish? 1t
is a direct blow (whether so intended or
not) at our "through" transportation. l
will not say that foreign companies have
furnished the moIey TO print and circulate
| this bill and other matter to create preju-
dica against our companies, and thereby Sc
cure the passage OF some sucn act as the
one under consideration; but l do say that
they could well afford to do it. Pass this
| bill and enforce it, and one of two things
will SIS surely happen as the sun rises and
sets, viz: Erery rail in this State aoiit be
consumed sUih rust for rant Of use; OF
our citizens ,gN be ground TO death Nth
local freightS In order to maintain OuI
roads. ........ .-......H
| lam not interested 10 a single road in
the State. 1 do not own cent OF stock II
the word, but as citizen Of the State
feel a deep interest in whatever affects oul
welfare. And l beseech gentlemen Of the
Legislature not TO srGsr themselves to be
oveTreached in this matter. This measure is
wolf in sleeps clothing. 1t presents on its
face a smile as "child-lke and bland" as the
Hhestben Cninee,n and its sleeves are as
full of trumps for foreign companies .:
those of the aforesaid heather.
CITIZEN.