Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-05-14
The Attftude or the Railways.

The new railway law went into eject yes
terday, and as the tariffs of the several roads
have not been altered to conform to it the Is
sue is now fairly made between them on the
one side and the people on the other. Every
individual has his redress under the law, II he
wishes to seek it.-BaraboO Republic.
1t promises well for a peaceable
solution of the railway question
that the State press discuss it with
cat heat, and with degree of fair
ness and impartiality strikingly at
variance with the explosive vehe-
mence of the railway magnates at
the start, Now the subject is being
coolly considered on its merits.
The letters published to-day of
Messrs. Mitchell and Keep in vim
dication of the course adopted by
their respective companies are tenn
perate in tone, able and argument
tative in the presentation of the
railways views of the case, and eX-
pressive of q willingness to abide
by the terms of the law when the
court of the last resort is barred
against them-not before Mr.. Mitch
ell says, speaking for the Milwau-
kee and st. Paul Company:
"They are fully aware that they are not
able to contend with the state or defy its laws,
aud were it not fer the fact that they are fully
convinced of the unconstitutionaity OF this
act, would not adopt a course of action which
would seem to contravenc law OF the state
But being fully conscious that the enforce
Hent of tins will ruin the property of the
company, and feeling assured OF the correct
ness of the opinions of the eminent counsel
who have examined the question, the Direct
ors feel compelled to disregard the provisions
of the law so far as it fixes tariff of rates
for the company until the courts shal have
finally passed upon the question of its valid.
ity."
Mr.. Keep, speaking for the Chi
cago q Northwestern Co., says:
"The fact that this railway cannot be oper-
atcd upon the schedule of rates contained in
The acts referred to, without mourning heavy
loss, as well as rendering il impossible to
pay the interest upon its bonded debt or div.
idends to its stockholders, places its mana
gers in very embarrassing position"
After stating that the rates pre-
scribed by the law average thirty
per cent. less than those made by
the company, and that if this re-
duction were made in their earnings
the working expenses could hardly
be met, while the interest on the
bonded debt, irrespective of any
surplus for dividends, would be left
wholly unprovided for, he claims
that to carry out the terms Of the
act "would be a confscation of the
property" This is his justification
of violation of the law.
The question is one of such deep
consequence to the industrial inter
ests of the State, that we trust it
may continue to be treated with the
same fairness with which it has be-
gun. If the courts hold that it is
constitutional and within the pow
ers of the Legislature to divest the
owners of railway lines of the con-
troll Of their property. the railways
must submit, and even at loss,
abide by the law until the people
can again pass upon it. The peo-
pie claim to have endured the oper-
alton Of onerous railway laws for
many years with scarcely the hope
of betterment, and now that the
same cup is presented to the rail
ways they will insist that it be
drained to the last drop.-kr.