Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-05-22

The railroads must admit, sooner or
later, aud the sooner the better, that now
they have become in practice national
highways, they cannot construe their
affairs precisely as close corporations. 1t
is, perhaps, their misfortune that they
have become so exclusively the carrying
power Of this country that the people are
forced to take some charge of their man
agement in sheer self-protection.- Chi
cago Post.
The Chicago Post in the above obser-
walton touches the real root of the mat
ter that produces the antagonism be-
tween the people and the railroads. The
latter have by engrossng nearly the
whole passenger and freight transporta-
ton of the county become a national ne
cessity, without which the business of
the country would come to practical
stand still. Being thus an absolute
essential to the general well-being of the
community, it is impossible that these
undertakings can be managed solely in
the interest of those who own or control
them, or like a close corporation, the
working or cessation of which would
only concern their owners. Besides it
must not be forgotten that most of the
principal railroads have received subsid-
les, or assistance insone shape or anOth-
er, that would not have been afforded to
an ordinary commercial enterprise. All
improved means of communications.
such as turnpike roads, canals, etc, have
been constructed under certain condi-
tons as to charges and management.
The same wise precaution, therefore,
should obtain with railroads. And it is
no argument, because these guarantees
for the prevention of extortion, have not
hitherto been taken, that they should
not be provided for the future. The rail
road companies should be made to
learn practically that the country
has not been made for their benefit,
but the railroads have been built
and fostered to promote the interests of
the country. This, those who control
these undertakings appear to forget, and
it will be well that they should be con-
WINGED Of the fact in q most unmistakable
shape. In view of the present attitude
of the great railroad corporations, the
railroad war il Wisconsin will be re-
garded with very general interest. There
the issue is simple and clearly defined
whether the railroads or the Legislature
shall fix the maximum rate OF fares and
freights. The Wisconsin Legislature
has passed an act regulating these mat
tiers and the railroad companies refuse to
obey the act and appeal to the courts.
On the other side, the Governor says he
will use the whole power of the State to
enforce the law, until it is by the
courts decided that the statute
is unconstitutional, or beyond the pow.
ers of the legislature to reach. The de-
termined attitude of the Executive has
already caused one company, and very
important line at that-the Chicago ant
Northwestern-to agree to accept til,
rates fixed by law, if shippers or passen
gers refuse to pay more, until the deter
mination of the question by a Court o
competent Jurisdiction. No doubt til,
matter will not be allowed to rest, unit
an authoritative decision has been OBJ
tanned from the highest judicial author
ity in the country. The friends of cheal
and speedy transportation will all how
ever be rejoiced, that a solution of thu
vexed question will ere very long b.
reached. The dispute may be stated il
nutshell, and it is simply this: whethe
the people or the railroads shall rule th
country; for if the power of extortin
whatever rates they may choose to exac
is declared to be the privilege of the rail
roads, they practically become masters
of the situation. and can WELD as des
potic rule as ever did King or Kaiser