Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-04-11

capital Of nearly $3.50 900 in our own State to
$4O0O,O00,O 900 In our Union and we believe 1t es-
senal to the prosperity Of all classes that this con-
test continue until those corporations Acknowledge
g. That we regard ii as the undoubted power and
the imperative duty Of the Legislature, TO pass laws
fixing reasonable maximum rates for freight and
passengers, without classification Of roads, and
that wdnhrgc upon our General Assembly the pas
That the existing statute providing for clas-
siGCation Of railways, with a view to adjusting q
tariff Of charges according to gross amount OF
eafnings, Is deusion and snare, and isso framed
that the railways are able to classify tnemselVes'
and that It ought TO be carefully modified or re-
:, That lfiastnuch as the Supreme copft has
eriminations made by railways OF this State, we
can see no reason for delay on the part Of the Leg
stature IN enacng the neeesssY aSs ,Srenp oa inc gu"
9. That we urge the passage Of a bin enforcing
the principle that railways are public mghways, S
T Hons WSth All rosds whose tracks meet and cross
their own, and to receive and transmit all cars ana
trains offered over their roads at reasonable maxi
mum rates, whether offered ut such crossings or az
stations along their roads, and empowering the
making Of connections by municipal cooperation
for that purpose a6d for the pupntS t use Action ~ the
General Assembly looking TO- the enforcement OF
the performance Of their duties BY. monopones as
common carriers, and that In ADDITION thereto we
believe that the railways should be required to
carry all the freights and passengers OHereu ironi
the country through which they pass ana uos Peid Pd
| mitted to limit the amount OF their business anu
destroy Its natural industry.
H. That the Constitution and laws Of Illinois are
| as binding upon the railway corporations as upon
the citizens, and that the State must require obed
ence to the law from all alike, whether the same
be deemed sSpsuoaal or not S coPpsiS the PsFss
IT, That we indorse most fully the action Of
those who tender legal rates of fare upon the rall
ways and refuse to pay more ana that # is the duty
Of the Legislature to provide by law iOr tne deIence
by the State Of all SUITS commenced or that nereal-
| ter may be commenced by railway COMPANIES
against Individuals who have insisted, or hereafter
may insist upon the right to ride on railways W Ie
i3. That the presentation Of railway passes to
our Legislators, whatever may be the epirit and in
tent with which they are accepted, is dem0faIKlng
in its Influence and we look TO our Legislature now
in session, to rise above all personal considerations
OF pecuniary interest or convenience, and to pass
law that members Of the Legislature receive no pay
| when absent from duty; and making it misde-
meanor for any Senator or Representative or other
State county officers to accept any railway pass
| knowing as we do that the people look upon me
| acceptance Of these passes with decided and al
most universal disapprobation.r o,,
WHEREAS, The Constitution Of 164S, Article ten,
prohibits the Legislature from granting special rail-
| way charters in the following words: Corpora
tions not possessing banking powers or privileges
may be formed under the general law, out shall
not be created by special acts except for municipal
purposes, and In cases where, in the Judgment OF
the General Assembly, the objects of the corpora
tions cannot be attained under general laws"
therefore,
ResoiUed, That is extremely doubtfulwhether
any railway charter granted since April J. 1S4S, by
the Legislature Of Illinois is Of any validity, and
that the vested rights of railway monopoles IN this
State exist only by the assumption of the moriopo-
lies. and the suferance of the people. .
| WHEREAS, The Constitution OF 1870, article IL,
section 49, prohibits any railway company from is
suing walered stock, in these words: IN 0 railway
corporation ehal issue any stock or bonds except
| for money labor or property actually received and
to ne p rgF and Rr
tious increase Of the capital stock or btedness
OF any such corporation shall be void; the capital
for any purpose, except upon giving sixty days
public notice in such manner as may be PROVIDED
WHEREAs, This article Of the Constitution has
probably been violated by nearly all the railway
companies in the State; therefore,
ResOlUed, That 1t is the duty Of the Railway Com
mssioners to look carefully into this matter and to
commence proceedings in all clear cases, by quo
warranto" or otherwise, against all railway compa-
nes which have disregarded this important provis-
ion Of organic law Of the State.
ReSotUed That we demand Of Congress repeal
of all laws preventing the competition OF small yes~
sells, which may choose TO engage in the carrying
trade on the lakes, between ports ID the united
States without regard to nationality Tho ,,rmsa,oto
repeal of the protective duties on iron STEEL lum-
Der, and all materials which enter into the con-
etructon Of railway cars steamships, sailing ves-
sells, agricultural implements, ETC. and that we
urge upon Congress immediate action for this purS
pose, as cheap railways and cheap ships are neces-
cary TO cheap freights and we invite the railway
companies to cooperate with us 10 that END.
ResolUed, That the practice. Of Legislators, State
or National voting on questions or measures on
which they are at the time directly pecuniarily in
erested is contrary TO public morality and all Just
| principles Of wise legislation. E., ~
| Resolred That it is one of the necessary meas
ures of railroad reform that the laws that make
the stocks of railroad corporations personal prop
| erty he repealed and the law SO amended as to
| withdraw such stocks from speculation, and give
| to them the permanency and certainty OF owner
ship of the railroads themselves. -
| WHEREAS Railroads, including their rolling stock
and tracks, are not assessed at more than one-tenth
of their actual value;
Resoiued, That we demand that they pay taxes in
proportion to the taxes paid by citizens OF the State
and that II any amendment Is necessary TO the Rev
enue law 10 compel said railroads TO pay said share
of taxes, that the Legislature so amend said law,
and demand of the next State Board OF Equahzanon
to railroad property in proportion 10 Ns
| value.