Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1874-01-23
coon IDEA.

In tho Senate yesterday Senator
Morton Of Indiana introduced 4 reso-
lutisn which appears both sensible
aud well-timed. This resolution,
which was laid temporarily upon the
table and ordered printed, instructs
the Committee on Transportation
Routes to the Seaboard to consider
and report a bill creating = Commission
Of Ave sminently skilled persons, to
be appointed by the President BY and
with the advice and consent Of the
Senate, who shall examine and report
to Congress what legislation 10 neces-
sary and practicable In regards to inter-
State railroads, to promote the follow
Ing objects, namely: Speedy transpor.
tation at reasonable rates OF freight
and passengers, and the comfort aud
safety Of passengers, by providing for
inspection Of bridges, tracks, lecomo-
tives and cars, and to reform any abuse
that may exist In consequence OF ex-
tortion aud unjust Determinations In
the transportation Of freight and pas
sengers, and In general to report what
regulations are necessary to promote
the efficiency Of railroads In the inter-
ests Of commerce and the conveyance
and safety Of the travelling public"
The subjects to be considered BY the
proposed Commission have not only
become OF vast Importance to the pro-
ducing classes Of the country. and also
TO tho travelling public, but In the judy
ment OF those who have thoughtfully
considered the question are directly
under the control and regulation Of
the General Government. 10 Is also
apparent that the complex nature OF
the transportation question, the mag
nltude aud diversity Of the interests
involved. and the absolute necessity Of
n clear understanding Of the whole
system Of railway transportation both
generally and In detail, are lndispen-
sable to proper legislation ; to the en-
sctment Of laws thar, without infring.
Ing upon the private rights OF property
owners, shall, at the same time guar.
antee and afford protection to the
travelling and commercial public.
We regard the adjustment OF railway
frelghts and fares as 4 right Of Govern
ment both State and National, and
hope to see such legislation as will
harmonlze all conflicting interests IS
nearly as may DO, while protecting
both the carrier and his patrons from
the abuses ever arising from unrs
strictsd power. Moreover we think
that no legislative body, either State
or National, Is able to grapple with
or solve the questions now demanding
Investigation. without the services OF,
or In the absence Of the facts and sta
tistics, required to be collected by the
proposed Commission.
Legislation In the absence Of facts Is
at best blind and usually valueless. II
not hurtful. II may DO safely stated
that upon the subject Of cheap railroad
transportation Congress Is at present
poorly Informed; that Is to say, al
though aware Of the popular demand
for lower rates Of fares and frelghts.
IL has As yet received no facts upon
which TO base remedial and rcgulative
laws. The subject IL one which de-
rands intelligent action. All the
facts on both sides Of the question flor
there are always two sidesl should be
presented In = clear and comprehen-
sivs manner to Congress, which Y
with such aid, will hardly on irst trial
produce q bill whereby no injustice
will be worked, and In which all evils
complained OF shall be cured. IL Il
easy TO discover evils. The projection
and enactment OF remedial laws Il by
far . nor difficult task. In our view.
the establishment Of the proposed CON-
mission, Is not only a wlse, but neces-
sary step toward the attainment OF the
objects sought.