Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-01-19
Last Two Days Sessions of the National
Cheap transportation Convention
at Washington City.
Report Of the Railroad COmmittee-A
Minority Report on Freight Charges
Reports on Water Routes.
''Relief Must Come from Legislation ,
Unjust DiscriminatiOns-Next Ses-
sion to be Held in Richmond.
FRIDAYS PROCEEDINGS.

WASHINGTON, January lS.-In the
| national cheap transportation conven-
ton to-day, the railroad committee re-
ported in fsyUr of federal legislation re-
strictiug railroad freights, and in many
respects controlling their management;
| also recommending a national narrow
gauge railroad between western and
eastern seapOrts, to be built at the ex-
pense Of the United States government.
Judge L. Cochran, of Georgia, pre-
sented a minority report, declaring that
congress had No power TO regulate freight
charges on existing railroads. The right
to regulate commerce does not mean to
build railroads to carry on commerce.
The power to regulate is one thing, but
the power to create is another. Charters
created by S .ates are legislative contracts
which neither the States nor congress
can touch without violating the funda-
mental law. Other reasons are given
against the majority report. Both re-
ports were received and laid over. The
convention then took up the reports on
water routes.
The majority report resolves that
some system of internal transportation
to bring into freer intercourse different
sections of the country is imperatively
demanded to revive our foreign COM
merce, and increase and develop our
domestic trade, and that to effect this
object the United States government
should improve the great river and
lakes, which form natural channels of
trade, and connect these by such sys-
tenn of canals as will open free and un-
interrupted outlets from the interior to
the sea, and means of international
trade between the States themselves.
The construction of these works is the
object in view, and matters of detail
may be safely left TO the wisdom of
congress.
The minority report on the same sub
ject suggests that the convention pro-
pose to congress such enlargement of the
Erie canal and lake route as NAV be
practicable, and enlargement and ex-
tension of the Illinois and Michigan
canal to the Mississippi river at Rock
Island, together with the completion of
the work on the Illinois river, which
will furnish additional and cheaper
of the great grain pro-
ducing region of the northwest to the
seaboard, and also be the means Of eff
fectually cheapening rates for freight
upon all railroads running to the Mis-
sissippi river from the mouth of the
Ohio to our northern limits, and such
of the Mississippi river at
its mouth and elsewhere as NAV be
needed to furnish good navigation to the
gulf, and third route from the Missis-
eppi river to the seaboard by the Ten
nessee river route, called the Atlantic
and Great Western route.
There was a general discussion of re-
ports, but without action, after which |
he convention adjourned.
AT the next session the convention /
Will determine upon the plans to be |
to congress and the legisla- |
ures of the several States. The follow
ng principle is embodied in the report
made to-day from the railroad commit
ee. Railroads are highways, and rail-
oad companies are common carriers.
congress should provide adequate pen
.lties for violation of highway and COM
liabilities in commerce be-
ween States, and the several State
should provide the same in
he case of commerce by rail within
heir respective Jurisdictions.
SATURDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
WASHINGTON, January 17.-In the
heap transportation convention thls
1orning, the majority report Of the
ommittee on railroads was adopted. 1t
eclares that relief must come from leg
Ilation, by which our system of rail- !
pads can be regulated and improved,
nd by competition, which will COM
!etely carry out the reform which legis- :
.tion must inaugurate. 1t is recon- {
lended hat a national law, providing
n bureau OF commerce and iranspor-
ltion, and that the members of the as I