The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-01-14

in 1874 was 8t6 or barely one-hali the number
constructed N 1873. the number of miles OF
road cons tTucted iii Wisconsin during the same
period has been more than. the average tof 1ee
other states, proving that the causes q deche Ia
this department of public Improvement are geh'
RraI and possess no special relation 10 tue y rue
ture of our constitution, or the character OF our
legislation. p, ~ rss-'- -
Just how to develop our immense resources to
their fullest extent-to best promote the great and
vor,aa Industries Of our state--a and at the same
time to ete out equal ard exact justice to all our
citizens, is a problem which yet remains UNI
solved. ~.' ~ &
II, the consideration of questions for the develop
nent of the physical energies OF our state we are
reminded of the fact that the railway system of
transportation is comparatively new. The roads
Of to-day are not those Of yesterday, and the posi-
bilities of the future far beyond the reach Of
present estimate The noblest intellects of modern
times as yet have failed to accomplish such COM
plete results to arrest The tireless spirit of pro-
qress or forbid the probability of more wondrous
achievements in time to come. Apparently, the
railways now constructed are but the main lines of
a complicated system Of artificial highways. ulti-
matey to enrich and utilize the remotest territory
inhabited by man. The siX-feet gauge has disap-
peared. The advantages of speed now contest the
merits Of weight and strength. To-day the great
and complex question apparently uppermost in the
minds of engineers, is how to multiply the number
and length Of lines by reducing weight, speed and
cost, Narrower gauge, less expensive grades
lighter equipment, and more miles of road are the
promised fruit Of present inquiry and experiment,
the final results of which we can only hopefully
await. alag. 55 -.t
Railway legislation, like railway construction.
must progress toward perfection by slow degrees
The almost perfect law for common carriers was
the product of ages. But in controlling railroads by
law, we are confronted by new conditions, and are
advancing upon comparatively new and untried
ground. Our progress, though unhesitating, should
nevertheless be duly guarded and restrained. Our
people have declared that they will not endure mis-
management or extortion. But i'll demanding JUS
tce for ourselves, let us be douby that we do
no injustice to others. The power of redress here
Sfter remains continuously and forever within our
reach The very existence of that power is per-
manent safeguard against persistent encroachment
and abuse. 81.
THE POTTER LAw-MoDFICATIONs.
In the discharge of the specific duties of the
executive department. the past year, have not re-
garded the particular provisions of the law of last
winter as an issue 1t is not my opinion that this
law expressed the best judgment of the legislature
which enacted it. While the general principles I'D.
on which it Is founded command our unqualified
appreciation and can never be surrendered, it must
be conceded that the law is defective in some of its
details. The great object sought to be accom-
pshed by our peoples not the management of rail
road property by themselves, but to prevent it's
Encouragement by others. Such should be the
purpose and the limit of legislative action. In so
far as the law accOmplishes this ead and is means
of public protection, its provisions should be
sacredly preserved. But in so far as it exceeds
this purpose, it is necessarily superfuous and in.
expe0ient.
In my first annual message, submitted to the
legislatu1e a series Of propositions, embodying my
views as to the gener principles and purposes Of
legislation upon this engrossing topic Further
experience and reht ction have confirmed the views
I then expressed One of these propositions de-
clares that cassihcations of freight and lates of
fare and freight, within the state, should be sub
ject to revision and modification by state author
ity." ain still of this opinion. But am not of
the opinion that cassihcaons of freight and rates
OF fare and freight, can be expedently established
by an iron.bound and infexible rule of law, with
no power Of revision and modification reserved
The best features of our law in respect to this
branch OF the subject, are exemplitied in the es-
adjustment of maximum rates of fare and its
worst features in the unyielding character of its
limitation upon rates of freight. In this last re-
spect recommend such notifications of the law
as shall remove obvious imperfeCti3ns without di
vesting the state, as represented BY its board of
commissioners, of power of revision and nodifi-
cation formal investigation and complaint or on
such other conditions as due regard for public in
terests may seem to require. Further and more
judcious legislation for the s. curity of corporate
debt, for the protection OF shippers from unjust
Determinations for restraining speculative expen-
dttures, for preventing the creation If fictitious
capital, for ensuring more equitable division of
earnings, for enforcing more eli lent polce regu-
lations, for the encouragement Of continuous and
JHd1cious investment in corporate enterprises and
for requiring more satisfactory reports from the
officers and directors of companies, has been the
subject of careful and patient consideration by the
railroad commissioners of this and other states
the past year. and is earnestly commended to your
attention.
In any endeavor to improve upon existing legisla-
ton, also invoke your consideration of the claims
OF new and incomplete roads to exemption from
any clearly needless embarrassment Few or none
of these roads yet earn sufficiency for operating
expenses and interest upon borrowed capital No
public interest requires the imposition of restric-
tions upon them OF such nature to impair their
credit, their ability to complete their projected
lines and perfect their legitimate connections The
magnitude of these undertakings is excelled only
by the extent OF the public and p~i tie interests at
70 vn ITTNVYN 4haf1
The companies embraced b. ohe Pr tow in the
second and third classes, represent nearly one
thousand miles OF road, the full completion of
which promises to open the markets of the world
to productive territory of vast proportions. and
OF almost inexhaustible resources.
Facts like these largely involve the destiny of the
state and the fortunes of its people. They ad1non-
ish us of the grave responsibilities imposed upon
us in the enactment and administration of law
They should remind us of the frivolity of polticai
craftsmanship and the cri1nnality of personal and
selfish abmitiOn. They especially commend to ms
the virtues OF prudence, forbearance and mutual
confidence.
GOOD FAITH OF THE STATE
Interested parties have charged, Willingly or un-
Willingly that Wisconsin is in favor of repudiatinr
the faith of the state and of coniscatno the rron
erty of railroad companies This charge it becomes
me to Indignantly repel. It is q libel upon our
people 1t is calumny, gross as it is groundless
NO portion of our population are the enemies Of
capital honestly invested in public enterprises
They unitedly accord to these enterprises cheer
full and voluntary support. They are willing their
employees shall be literally rewarded for services
actually rendered that the executive ability and
mechanical skill requisite in their proper manage
ment and construction, shall be generously com
pensated; and that the money economically ex
pended in their construction maintenance or exfen
sion shall receive liberal reward for its use Our
railway system at most is but half completed Mines
OF marvellous wealth still sunber undiscovered or
unapproprated for the want Of better facilities Of
ms nufacture and transportation Wisconsin.
therefore can afford no war upon cap
ital, at home or from abroad She never
has proposed such war. She proposes none now.
she asks only honesty, justice and the peace Of
mutual goodwill. TO all men concerned, her peo-
pie say in sincerity and il truth that every dollar
invested in our state shall be lawfully entitled to
its just protection, whencesoeyer the danger
comes. In demanding justice for ALL the state will
deny justice to none. In forbidding mismanage-
ment the state viii impose no restraints upon any
management that is honest and just In this. the
moral and hereditary instincts Of our people fur.
nish stronger bond of good faith than the judg-
ments Of courts or the obligations of paper con
situations Honest capital may be timid and easily
frightened, yet it is more certain to seek invest
Inent a W lax M o1I+;