The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1874-09-03


can not acting separately regulate efficiently these
great lines OF transportation, In which many States
and communities are interested
WHAT REGULATIONS ARE NECESSARY.
As to what regulations would be necessary Il would
be left 10 the discretion Of Congress- subject to the re-
slrctlons In the Constitution These restrictions re-
late TO the uniformity Of the regulaons that is that
advantage preference shall be shown 10 State
over another. Uniformity and equal dealing with the
people OF all the States are impressed upon all the
powers given by Congress, that they are not used
Tor the oppression Of part Of the country for the
upbuilding Of another.
Cheapness and uniformity Of operation speed, con:
venence promptness and safety all point 10
rpads and through lines; and these Throughout their
length, should be governed by uniform methods and
laws The railroad interest Is so vast and 30 inti-
natey Affects the business progress and comfort Of
every community that iii OF the utmost importance,
not only 10 the people but to the shareholders, that II
e under the direction Of general laws and as far as
possible blended into an harmonious whole The sn-
Iervision and control Of interstate railroads by Con-
gress would give rise TO number Of regulations look
ing TO the safety Of passengers regularity OF trains
uniformity OF operation connections, inspection ol
tracks, bridges and locomotives cars, etc., and IN
many other particulars tending TO promote the safety
efficiency and development Of the railroad system and
the interest and convenience Of the people.
COMMISSIONERS TO PREVENT ABUSES.
That II is not possible for Congress to enact general
laws establishing uniform rates for freight and passen-
gers upon all interstate railroads is too clear for an
argument These rates must necessarily vary on the
different roads, and in different parts Of the country
The cost Of construction and OF keeping up and opera
ting some roads is much greater than others Upon
bOme roads the amount of business to be done very
greatly exceeds that Others and there so many
circumstances which would make change OF rates
proper and necessary, that we may assume at once
that uniform rates for reghs and passengers can not
be established But II seems to me 70 be clearly with
In the power OF Congress- and TO be practicable TO es
tabllsh Boards OF Railroad Commissioners to be vested
with certain powers to be governed by general regu-
lations, within which they shall have the power TO
supervise and regulate the rates for freight and pas
sengers upon Interstate railroads. 50 as to
prevent unjust determinations between dit-
ierent localities or classes Of persons TO pre-
vent combinations between railroad corpo-
rations and other persons to put up the prices Of
freghts passenger fares to prevent railroad eorpor
atoms from taking advantage Of the obstruction Of
lakes rivers and canals by frost or low water, to put
up freghts and fares beyond what would be reasona-
BILE, fair and honest prodt; and In short TO prevent
extortions and imposons by railroad companies upon
the people OF the country however attempted TO be
praoticed They should required to holo the scales
evenly and fairly between the people OF the country
on the one hand and the railroad companies on the
other, so that the railroad companies shall have the
full enjoyment and protection OF their property, and
be allowed 10 receive such rates OF compensation as
will make fair and reasonable returns for the capital
skill labor, and responsibility empoyed-these results
10 be arrived at under such rules may be provided
by law or adopted by the boards Of railroad commits
soners for their guidance The interests and rights Of
all parties should be protected with equal and
vigilance, the railroad companies to be left In the con-
troll Of their property far may be consistent with
public interests and not to be tnterfered with by
these boards Of railroad commissioner except In clear
cases.
1t has been decided by the Supreme Court Of the
United States that railroad companies are common
carriers, as defined by the common law, which, by
the common law, are required TO carry for all persons
and at reasonable rates; and the powers which pro-
pose shall be conferred upon these boards Of railroad
commissioners are no greater or other than those
which belong to the Courts TO regulate and control
common carriers, but would be exercised In a sum-
mary manner, so as to make them efficient in con-
trolling the conduct OF these common carriers.
HOW FAR THE STATES CAN 90.
Each State may regulate and control commerce
which purely internal to ITSELF aud all the railroads
transporting such commerce, without interference
by Congress, and may, doubtless, in the absence Of
Congressional legislation make regulations for all
commerce that passes across or over any part OF Its
territory, provided such regulations do not impose
burdens upon interstate commerce, and make no
Just discriminations But all such regulations as af
feet interstate commerce. however meritorious In
their character intentions, must yield 10 the egs
ation Of Congress- State can not be restrained In
the regulation OF commerce which is purely internal
TO itself, except by It's own Constitution or the pro-
The decision OF the Circuit Court OF the United
States sitting In Wisconsin, that the provision OF the
Constitution OF that State giving to the Legislature
the power 10 alter repeal the charters OF corpora
tons, is necessarily part of every charter OF which
the corporaors and all persons dealing with such
pOrations must take notice, recognizes principle Of
law so familiar and so obvious tnat am aSt0nlSneQ
that the decision should be received with surprise.
1t is plainly to be that very difficult questions
may arise touching the exercise OF national and state
authority upon this subject especially in the regua
ton OF railroads that at the time engaged in
the transportation OF Interstate commerce and Of
commerce purely internal to State. But 1t Is not
necessary to attempt now to anticipate those conflicts.
As they arise from time 10 time they will be fully dis
cussed, and satisfactory solutions for them will be
found.
MODERATION NECESSARY.
The principles which have enuncated will be suf
cent in practice to enable Congress in one case or
the Stale In the other to protect the people and the
business Of the country from oppression by capitalists
combinations or corporations But the people OF the
States should remember that while the railroads have
their abuses which ought to be corrected yet they are
indispensable 10 the growth and prosperity OF the
country, and the construction Of more becomes impor
ant from year to year, and that capital timid, and
men will not invest their money in building new
roads, If legislation is had whereby railroad property
| is made less valuable secure. Great moderation
should be exercised and taken that Legislation
be aimed only at real abuses and interfere little
so that there be dscouragement 10 the construction
Of new roads, and the extension of the system.
THE COMING QUESTION.
The great problem OF increased aud cheaper trans
portation is one to which the Republican party must
address itself with courage and untrng industry until
1t is solved II gave earnest Of its purposes during the
last session Of Congress by entering into those pre-
minary investigations that must preeede the settle
/ meuI OF 50 great queouOus Wnon we cOnSluer tne
vast increase Of the productions OF the West during the
last ten years, and that the means Of transportation
are barely adequate to meet present demands may
form opinion Of the increased facilities that will
be necessary ten years hence To make transportation
cheaper is matter in which the people are almost
equally interested East West North, and South and
| is of national concern. The improvement Of the
navigation Of the Mississippi river is Of deep
interest to than dozen States, OF which Indiana
is one, and was much considered at the last ses-
sion Of Congress- and will doubtless be definitely acted
| ha 81 tka 4...s.
ment Of other great water lines Of transportation in
the West Northeast, and South In which the people
of Indiana are interested is being thoroughly inves
gated The importance Of the transportation question
must increase from decade TO decade and Is vast in
its proportions that Ii will require .years for lis sou-
tom but the Republican party has addressed itself to
the task and will not pause until the way has been
| found out and accomplished while the Democratic
party will doubtless continue to devote its vast ener-
ges TO devising ways and To prevent the social
equality OF the negroes and the enlargement Of the
| liquors by the license system.
| CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, am proud 10 say that while the Re-
publican party may have erred, IL has not proved
false to any great principle, cowardy In the pres
ence of any great question. Its aims noble and
patriotic and II does not seek continuance in power
by pandering to vice and prejudice but refers TO its
past record Of great actions in behalf Of the Union
liberty, education equality and the material growth
and Improvement OF the nation as earnest OF what
1t seeks to accomplish in the future AND there must
be cessation in Its labors; 1t must not presume to
live upon the glories and memories OF the past Its
first and everpresent duty is introspection self-ex-
animation the correction OF errors the Introduction OF