The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-01-21
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Continued from second page.]


sources to their fullest eXtent-tO best
promote the great and varied industries
of our state-and at the same time to
mete out equal and exact justice to all
our citizens, IS a problem which yet re-
mains unsolved.
In the consideration of questions for
the development Of the physical energies
of our state, we are reminded OF the
fact that the railway system OF trans
portation IS comparatively new. The
roads of to day are not those OF yester-
day, and the possibilities of the future
are far beyoud the reach Of present es-
innate. The noblest intellects Of mod
ern times, as yet, have failed to accom-
plish such complete results as to arrest
the tireless spirit of progress or forbid
the probability OF more wondrous
achievements IN time to come. Appar-
entity the railways now constructed are
but the main lines of q complicated
system Of artificial railways, ultimately
to enrich and utilize the remotest ter
ritory inhabited by man. The 6 feet
gauge has disappeared. 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.
Railway legislation, like railway con-
strr1ction, must progress toward perfec-
ton by slow degrees The almost per-
feet law for common carriers was the pro-
duct of ages. But in controlling rail
roads by law, we are confronted by new
conditions and are advancing upon COM
paratively new and untried ground. Our
progress, though unhesitating, should
nevertheless be guarded and restrained.
Our people have declared that they VIII
not endure mismanagement or eXtOrtlOn.
But in demanding justice for ourselves,
let us be doubly sure that we do no in
Justice to others. The power of redress
hereafter remains continuously and for
ever within our reach. The very exist
ence of that power Is a permanent safe
guard against persistent encrOachment
and abuse.
THE POTTER AUTHORIZATIONS.
In the discharge of the specific duties
of the executive department the past
year, [ have not regarded the particular
provisions of the law of last winter as in
issue. 1t is not my opinion that this
law expressed the best Judgment Of the
Legislature which enacted it. While
the general principles upon which it is
founded command our unqualified APP
probation. and can never be surrendered.
it must be conceded that the law Is de
fective in some of its details. The great
object sought 10 be accomplished by our
people is not the management of railroad
property by themselves, but to prevent
its mismanagement by others. Such
should be the purpose and the limit Of
Legislative action. In SO far as the law
accomplishes this end, and is a means Of
public protection, its provisions should
be sacredly preserved. But in so far as
it exceeds this purpose, it is necessarily
superfiuous and inexpedient.
In my first annual message, I submit
ted to the Legislature series of pro-
positions, embodying my views as to
the general principles and purposes of
legislation upon this engrossing topic.
Further experience and reflection have
confirmed the views [ then expressed.
One of these propositions declares that
''class1fcations of freight, and rates of
fare and freight, within the state, should
be subject to revision and modification
by state authority" I am still of this
opinion. But [ am not of the opinion
that classifcations of freight and rates
of fare and freight, can be expedientlv
established by an iron bound and in
flexible 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 exempli.
fed in the establishment of maximum
rates of fare, and it's 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 i'm
projections without divesting the state
as represented by its Board of Commits
sloners, OF a power of revision and mod
lticatlon on formal ivestigation and COM
plant, or on such other conditions as q
due regard for public interests may
seem to require. Further and more
iudicious legislation for the security of
corporate debt, for the protection of
shippers from unjust determinations,
for restraining speculative expenditures.
for preventing the creation of fictitious
1CI IIO1C S0luildDi0
division of earnings, for enforcing more
efficient police regulations, for the en-
enlargement of continuous and Judi
cious investment IN corporate enterprises
and for requiring more satisfactory re-
ports from the officers and directors of
companies, has been the subject of care
ful 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 ex-
listing legislation. [ also invoke your
consideration OF the claims of new ard
incomplete roads to exemption from any
clearly needless embarrassment. Few
or none of these roads yet earn q sui
ficiency for operating expenses and
interest upon borrowed capital. No
public interest requires the imposition
OF restrictions upon them OF such a
nature 9z RI is1Y7,,i-. rI,OT,.