New-York tribune., 1874-08-01

to the shareholders, that II shall be nader she
direction OF general laws and as far as possible bende
into harmonious whole The supervision and control
Of railroads BY Congress wo2d give ~ rise to
gers regularity Of trains uniformity Of operation con
cars eic, and IN many other particulars tending to
promote the safety efficiency, and development OF the
OF the people. That 10 s not possible, ,,ornr ior
Congress TO enact general laws establishing uniform
rsiroads Is or argument, These rates must
necessarily different roads and In dierent parts
ating some roads "a much greater than others Upon
roads the amount OF business to be done very
greatly exceeds that Others ant there are SO many
circumstances which would make a change OF rates
proper and necessary that assume at once that
uniform rates for freghts aud passengers cannot De e
But it seems to to be clearly within the power Of
Congress, and be practicable to establish Boards OF
Railroad Commissioners, be vested with certain
powers, TO be governed by general regulations within
gulate the for freight and passengers under inte
state railroads. so as TO prevent unjust dlscrlmlna
prevent combinations between railroad corporations
and other to put the prices of freight or pas
advantage OF the obstruction of lakes rivers and canals
by frost or by low water to put up fsgGs and fares ar
and honest profit; and, in short to prevent prevent
nes unos M na peop OF the
attempted to be practised. They should be required
of the country the hand, ana the railroad CON,
panes on the other so that the railroad companies sha
have the full enjoyment and protection OF their
property and be allowed to receive such rates OF
pensatOn will make fair and reasonable remuneration
Tor the capital sl and labor aud responsibility en-
pOyed these results TO be arrived at under such rules
Railroad Commissioners for their guidance lhe inter
eStS ana rights Of all parties should be protected with
lett in the control of their property as far as may be
consistent with public interests and not to be nerered
with by those Boards Of Railroad Commissioners except
Upon the question of the limit of power of States
control railroads he said Each State may regulate and
control commerce which ia purely nterDa TO Itself
and all the railroads transporting sucn commerce with
ont int farefa hX "a
in the absence of Congressional legislation, make
regulations for all commerce that passes across
or over any part OF It's territory, provided such
regulations do not impose burdens upon inter
state commerce and make no unjust discrimination
however meritorious in their character or Intentions
not he restrained IN the regulation which
Is purely internal to itself except hy s own Consttu
ton or the prohibitions in the Constitution of the United
States The recent decision of Circuit Court of the
United States. sitting IN Wisconsin, that tne pro pro,
10 the Legislature the power to- alter or
repeal the charters OF corporations is necessarily part
OF every charter Of which the corporatos aud al per
sons dealing with such corporations must take notice,
recognises principle Of law familiar and 50 obvious
that am ascEished that the decision should be received
with surprise. Ii is plainly TO be seen that
very dnicult questions may arse toucmog ,i,,o
this subject especially III the regulation OF railroads
that the time engaged In the transportation
OF Interstate commerce and OF commerce puieS p,,, i
ternal State Bat 1t is not necessary TO attempt
now TO anticipate these conflicts AS they arise from
time 10 tine they will be fully discussed and satisfac-
tory solutions for them will he found. go,
lie cOunSeled mOdcfdtlOn tnat legislation ShOuIu NC
aimed only at real ard interfere rs little as pos
se with control of roads by their owners 50 hdt
there shall be discouragenent 10 the CONSTRUCTION W
new roads and The extension Of the system lie
believed the problem or increased anu ohe1pen ,p
transportation one to which the Republcah
party must address itself, Until II was solved us In
pOrlance must increase from decade 10 decIHe
and ts proportions vast That IL woufd require
wears for solution; but the partS must not pause uu
the way had been found aud accomplished Ia con
clusiOn he said: ,,.-- -
am proud to say that, while the Republican party
may have erred, II has not proved iaise 10 any graz
principle It's aims are noble and patriotic ana IL docs
not seek continuance in power BY panderns 10 wee
and prejudice, but refers TO It's past record oI
reat actions IN behalf of the Union, OF liberty educa-
tion equality. and tie material growth ana improve
meut OF the nation earnest of wat 1t seeks to ac
cOmpsh in the future, and there must ne no cessation
m its laDOrs; it must not presume 70 i've
upon the gOries and memories OF inc pas
It's first and ever-preseHt duty Is 10 intIo- o.
spection seIeXamnatIOn the correction OF errors he
Introduction reform. IL must look to the execution
and enforcement of the Constitution ana laws ana
while asserting the existence OF the nalon ana
the lust powers OF the National Government, IL
should ever be vigilant to preserve, III All
their Just extent the rights and powers OI me states
ever carrying before 1t lamp TO guide It's steps mos
great fundamental principles Mhch nave gwen 10 ,he
party its power aud glory equal rights TO all ana eqa
and exact Justice 10 AL men.