The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-08-04

a her
OF regulations looking 10 the safety OF passe a
, gers, regularity of rainC, uniformity OF opera
and locomotives. cars, etc. and in man.
1ther particulars tending to promote
snt OF the fai4ea rys an1 SeSyel9P
interests and convenience OF the people
i COMMISSIONERS To PREVENT ABUSES.
/ That 1t is not possible for Congress to enact
general laws establishing uniform rates for
freight and passengers upon all Interstate rail-
roads, y too clear for argument These rates
must necessarily vary on different roads and I'm
Glnerent parts OF the country. The cost OF con-
| suucuon and OF Keeping up and operating soms
roads Is much greater than others. Upon sos.a,s
roads the amount Of business to be done very
pgreaty exceeds that on Others, and there aresso
Htnany clrcunstanceswh which would make change
,m rae ., ana necess.ry that we may as
PASSENGERS eah not be established. But ii seems TO
me, s 70 % pe clearly within The power of Gansress
| load commissioners to be vested with cer1ain
powers, TO be governed, by general rcgulaticns,
Whnin winch they shall have the power TO SUI
perVise and esulote tie rates foT freight a nd
pass ngers upon interstate rsalroaSs, so as 20
prevent UNJUST discri limitations between difffr-
ent localities or classes NJ persons "a, preveI1f
combinations between IA lroad corporations and
otnef persons TO pui up the prices OF freizts or
passenger fares; - proven railroad co5roTa
from taking advantage cf The obstrrciion of
lakes, Eivers and canals. by frost o. by low
water, 70 put IN freiglSs and fares be-
yond what world be a reaeotaf,se fofr
and honest proit; and in short, TO pre-
companies upon the people OF The eonn
try, however attempted TO Ne praosscad. They
should be required 10 hold the scales evenrE and
larry PEI ~een the people of the country GA the
one nandy and the railroad compaIsies 90 the
DINER, so that the railtoad companies shall have
the inIl en- oy ment and protection of flleir psp-
compensation as will make fais. and rsasenasSe
returns Tor the capital, SIX ILL., labor ar a resDo1SF
olniy emp o5ed-thesc results TO be arrived az
under such rales may be prcSided Wv law ar
adopted by The boards n railroad com m
lot their guiaance The interests and rightso f
should uirb-
and vigilancs, the railroad companies lobe lefh
IN the OF their p-eperty aSfar as may be
Snterfered with by these boards of raflrosd com
mlssioners except in clear cases.
Ii has been decided by tie Soprcrne Courf OF,
the United States that railroad Companies are
common carriers, as defaed by the common
law, which. by he common law are reouire1ftO
carry Tor all persons and at reasonable rates and
the powers which propose shall be conferred
are no greater other than those Which now
belong TO the courts TO regulate and control com
mon carriers, but would be exeic iSed in a sum
mary manner so as TO make them effieient in
continuing the conduct of these common carriers
HOW FAR THE STATES CAN CO..
Each State may regulate and control commerce
which Is purely internal to itself, and ali, 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 ac-oss
or over any part OF its territory, provided such
regulations do not impose burdens upon inter-
lions But all such regulations as affect
Interstate commerce, however meritori
must yield to the legislation of Cor
greSs. State can not he restrained in the reo1l-
itself, except by its own constitution or the pro
hlbltions in the constitution OF the United
states. The recent decision of the Circuit Court
OF The United states, sitting in Wisconsin, that
the provision in the constitution of that State,
giving to the Legislature the power to alter or
repeal the charters ofcorporations is necessarily
part Of every charter. of which the corporations.
ana al. persons dealing with such corporations
81 familiar and 30 obvious that am aStonished
that the decision should be received with sur
1t is plainly to be seen that very difficult
questions may arise touchir g-the exercise OF Ma
u0nal and state authority upon this subject es-
pecaly in Tn regulation of railroads that are at
the same time engaged in The characterization OF
OF interstate commerce. and of COM merce purely
internal 10 state. Butitis not necessary 10 al.
tempt now 10 anticipate these conflicts as they
arise from time to time. they will be fully dis
be found.
MODERATION NECESSARY.
The principles which i have enupcIated will
be sufficient in practice to enable Congress in
one case, or the state in another, to protect the
people and the business of the
country from oppression by capt.
talists combinations, or corporations.
But he people of the States should remember
that while the railroads have their abuses Which
ought to be corrected, yet they are Indispensable
to to he growth and prosperity of the country and
from year TO year; and that capital is timid. and
men will not invest their money in building new
roads, II legislation is had whereby railroad
property is made less valuable or secure. Great
moderation should be- exercised and care taken
abuses, and Interfere as little as possible with
the control of the railroads By their owners 30
Struction of new roads and the extension Of the
system.
THE COMING QUESTION.
The great problem of increased and cheaper
"a tn frRr
party must address itself with courage and an
tiriDg industry until ii is solved gave earnest
ofits purpose during the last session OF Congress
oy entering into those preliminary inyesTiga-
tons that must precede the settlement of so
grea+ question. When We consider the vast in
crease o, the productions 4 the Wes- during the
last ten years. and that the ans OF trans Dor-
tation are barely adequate to. meet present de-
nanos; we may iorin some opinion of the in
years hence. To make transportation cheaper.
Is m natter in which the people are almost equal
" interested East West. North and South, and is
Of NATIONAL concern. The Improvement of the
navigation of the Mississippi river l. of deep
india a is one, and was much consid red at the
list session of Cong ess, and will doubtless be
definitely acted upon at the next he feasibility
Of the improvement of other great water mes of
in the West, Northeast and South
IN which the people of Indiana are interested, is
being thorouehiy investigated. Theimportance
OF the transportation q iestion Rust increase
from decade 10 decade, and - so vast in its pro-
portions that il will require years for its tolu-
ton: but the republican party has addressed it,
sell 10 the TASK, ana Will not pause until the
has been i0unt cut and ACCOMPLISHED: WIFI the
party will doubtless continue 10 de-
vote its vast energies to devising ways and
means TO prevent the social equality of the ne
yroes and 10 the enlargement OF the school fund
By fostering the traffic OF intoxicRtng liquors by
the license system.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, ara proud 10 say that while
The republican party may have erred, 1t has not
proved false toany great principal. nor cowartiIy
In the presence OF any great question. Its aims
are noble anu patriotic, and il does not seek q
con tinusnce of power by psndering to vice and
prtj .oice, but refers TO it's past record great
actions in behalf of the Union, OflIDerty, edrea-
ton, eauaity and he material growth and i'm
proveTnent of tae nation earnest of what IL
seeks accomplish in the future And Ihsps
L.. L.