The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1874-07-18

ground TO expect that his decision
will be reversed"
This last sentence shows a rather
desponding state of mind, when we
remember that the Tribune sup
posed the law unconstitutional.
The Chicago Inter Ocean says:
"After the decision was announced,
Judge Davis proposed an agreement
whereby the State officers should
undertake to discourage prosecu-
tons under the law until a final
decision in the Supreme Court, and
both parties should cooperate in ar
rangements to submit it for final
decision in October, < The
power to fiXrates, under the reserva-
zion Of the Wisc'n Constitution, was
never questioned until the opinion
of Nix. Evarts was published. The
opinion of Judge Curtis, holding
that the power must be exercised
reasonably, and could not be en-
ployed to coniscate property,
seemed to receive the approval Of
lawyers and laymen alike. In this
regard the decision disappoints the
general expectation. The public
attention was principally directed to
this one question, and expressions
of opinion will generally have appli-
cation TO this.
The suggestions Of Judge Davis
were well timed, and some such ar
rangement as that proposed should
be made. We believe that the
Wisconsin companies should also
experiment, with a view to meeting
the wishes Of the people, as some OF
the roads are doing III Iowa. We
believe it would be wise to reduce
at least the passenger rates in that
State This experiment Involves
less complication than a similar one
in regard to treights, and its results
will more readily appear. If the
companies will undertake this ex-
pertinent, the officers and people of
Wisconsin can afford to delay pros
ecuti9ns under the law until final de-
cision by the supreme Court of the
United States. While the legal
rights and powers of the States
and Of the corporations are being Set
tied by adjudication, a policy such
as that inauguratcd in Iowa may be
proftably made. The people OF
Wisconsin may annoy the railway
companies, and the companies may
retaliate. Both will be injured by
such action. Both will be benefited
by the manifes tation Of a disposition
TO forbear and to come to some IN
telIigent arrangement Of dltferen-
ces."
The Post and Nail after referring
to the points pays its respects to
the Tribune as follows: "Regarding
the effect Of Saturdays decision a
morning paper is much concerned.
1t sees all sorts of disasters to the
state in the future. 1t insists that
the exercise Of such power to
"alter or repeal" the charters of
corporations will ruin Wisconsin, 5
credit abroad. We think differently.
/ Whatever loss may result from a
reasonable reduction in railway
profits (Which we think Will not be
CONSIDERABLE must assuredly be
more than made up in the rapid de-
velopment Of other industries.
With low freights and passenger
tariffs, immigration and correspond
| ing industrial activity must ensue.
Let the people well use this newly
discovered right, and the victory
they have achieved will be Of last
ing value to them. 1t remains
with them to determine how great
/ the benefit Shall be.
The Chicago Journal thinks that
if the court had decided the inter
state commerce pointi it would have
conceded with the case III 18th
Wallace, p. 232, and adds:
Judge Davis advised the state
authorities to draw t mild on the
penalties until after the decision of
the Supreme Court. This advice
should be followed, provided the
railroads obey the law hereafter.
Penalties incurred prior to the
decision Of the United States Cir
cult Court should be waived, but
persistent violation Of the law
should be punished with rigor.
1t is impossible to foresee the effects
/ Of this decision. Some silly threats
have been made by the railroad
companies, but it is not probable
that they will be carried out.