Weekly Trinity journal., 1874-01-31
THE RAILROAD QUESTION.

The debate on Freeman's bill regulat-
ing fares and freights, was resumed on
Saturday, and again on Tuesday. As
VIC anticipated last week, the Assembly
Committee on Corporations endeavored
to fight the bill through in its original
shape, and were in the main successful,
but one of the many amendments prcpos-
ed in tne house having been incorporated
in the bill. In this shape it will go to the
Senate. What its fate will be in that
body we have no means Of knowing, but
hope it will take the same view the As
sembly has taken, and Immediately en-
act the bill into law. If the Assembly
has passed this measure with the expect
alton that it be defeated in the Senate
it should be disappointed,
We believe Mr.. Freeman's bill repre-
sents more nearly what is desired by the
people, than any of the Others spoken Of.
There is popular demand for legislation
reducing fares and freights which will
not be contented with half way meas
ures. The bill emanates from the AS
semhly, to which many of the members
were elected upon this one issue, and we
think that as it has passed the lower
house by such an overwhelming vote,
the Senate should not take upon itself the
responsibility of its defeat,
The question is one which has been
forced into unnatural prominence in the
past few years, and it may as well be de-
cded now as to wait to some future ses-
sion. IT has been fruitful theme for
demagcgues, and should be taken out Of
the field Of politics. If the Senate rejects
the bill, the sensational press will raise
the cry that the people have been defrau
ded of their rights by the hold-oyer Re
pubicans and Democrats of the Senate.
And the issue will be forced upon us,
again and again, until finally settled.
That portion of the press claiming to
understand railroad business, claims that
one effect of the bill will be to stop opera
tions on many of the branch roads, in
cluding the one to Reading. We do not
claim to be advised whether the proposed
law will have that effect or not. The
rates allowed on the Reading route are
about one-half those at present charged.
But if such a result follows, we shall
have no one but ourselves to blame for it.
While there has been no complaint
of high charges or determinations from
this section, there is without doubt a
strong anti-railroad sentiment which is
in favor of a general reduction of fares
and freights. Mr.. Tinnin was anxious
to be elected, and he found it necessary to
conciliate this element by pledges. As IA
natural result, he finds himself with no
freedom of action whatever driven to
the support of II measure which he ad
mits to be unjust in some of its provisions.
This little experience may warn people
to be careful how they give, or exact
pledges, in reference to matters Of which
they know but little.
If the legislature has the right to regu-
late railway traffic, it undoubtedly has
also the right to regulate the business
and fix the profits of any corporation
Hence, capital will be slow to seek in
vestment in this State. The hue and cry
raised has already put a stop to the fur
ther prosecution Of railroad building, and
it is well to have the present agitation
settled as speedily as possible.