The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1875-11-23

such care as to bring the average TO
the mean OF healthy and vigorous opsr-
alton. ..... ~
ACCIDENTS TO PRISONS. !,
The table Of accidents 10 persons
shows total for the year OF 196,-a
falling of from tho number reported
for 1873 Of 1871 per cent. OF the above
total, 81, or Al. 3 per cent Of the whole,
were from causes beyond the control Of
the persons injured; tho remainder re-
sulting from their own misconduct or
carelessness. That our roads are ex-
empt during the entire year from those
severe accidents Which have sometimes
sent thrill OF horrer through the COM
munity, isa matter for sincere congrat-
ulation.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF RATES.
While it is usually conceded that the
general power for the regulation of
railroads TO q limited extent rests in
the people, subject to its exercise by
their representatives in the legislatures
il is not admitted by all that this pow
er extends to the absolute control of
the compensation which they may re-
ceivo for their services. This question
having been submitted to the supreme
court of the United States for final ad-
Indication, we may hopo at no distant
day to have decision which may rem
der its further discussion unnecessary.
But in the evento Of decision affirming
this extreme right or power, on the
part of the people, not few difficult
ties will present themselves in regard
TO its exercise.
KEEPING OF ACCOUNTS.
The fact that many Of our roads have
no we'll defined method Of keeping ac-
counts creates an unfavorable impress
ion. The manager of one road "cannot
tell" the number OF tons of freight
moved; another, under the head Of
general balance Sheet" reports "no
general balance; accounts not yet writ
ten up" another has mo record Of to-
tai number Of passengers carried" etc.
"ooLoREp" OR "FAsr FREIGHT TRAINS. :"
Ofwhat are usually called "Colored'
or Fast freight lines, /" we have, doing
business on our roads, two classes, one
of which may be termed "co-operative"
and the other stock" OF the former
are the "Blue," white" and Red
lines, the "Grcat Western Dispatch, T"
Erie & North Shore line" and many
others. The cars in these lines are
owned by the several railroad compan-
les, and contributed by the companies
forming the line, equally, on the basis
of miles of road aud business DONE
The ears are not restricted Tn the use
OF the roads OF the companies forming
the line but are permitted to pass over
all roads where the business may take
them. These are not stock companies,
nor are any certificates OF stock issued,
their capital consisting Of the cars
contributed by each, for which each
road receives the mileage earned by
the cars contributed by il, the same as
for their ordinary cars passing over
other roads, and receive their pro rata
Of earnings, derived from the business.
The stock companies, among the
most prominent OF which are the "Mer-
chants Despatch, the Empire Trans
portation Company" and many others,
are formed upon an entirely different
basis, being that usual to corporations.
Their capital is invested in cars, and
offices are established mt various points
for the solicitation Of business, TO pass
over the different roads. For the bus
mess done by these lines, the railroad
companies receive their proportion of
the freightage, but pay mileage on the
to Is on the business secured.