The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-01-15

to which thsy are applied Il ~. Also
from 6imilak. oaRaea@ .Mok1 Of ind dions.
lavoritism II some feapects towards the
strong comps des, for 4 gaze them. unaer
oef@n ooad6 ions aads 81 ii ~ toos1
classes Of freight greater compensation
than those companies hid themselves pre-
ssibsda The law broke down q once nm
der its own inhsrent imperfections, and it.
sole value consi14s ii the fact that twas
the drst assertion OF the right Of orr Leg
islature TO protect tl.s people against ax-
oessive tolls and unjust Discrimination,
and that, under 1t, these questions Of right
were, anbmitted TO the courts, whose dects-
ions established the existenoe of these
rights over the companies, who were de-
PENDANTS. .ssa ...S ,...s,s.sas:.55s* ~ i
~ In 1874 another act was passed, after
much elaboration and discussion, estab-
fishing Board Of Railroad Commissioner,
and requiipg them 20 make 4 scheduls Of
reasonable maximum rates Tor each COIN
pany BY August, i 1874. 1t prohibited nm
just DETERMINATIONS, and prescribed equal
ity Of charges for equal distances. Aux
Hilary to. these general principles which
the statute was designed to establish 1t
contained other important provisions
which it is not necessary here 70 recapitu'
late. -. ..e..,ztI az; - s IS. #.;: -
lappeinted - Commissioners. ex-Goy-
srnor. VIM. B. Marshall, Glen. a. J. Rdger-
ton and Hon. John J. Randall, with the
fullest sense OF my own responsibility and
with the view Of securing the services of
citizens Of undoubted standing who would
perform the duties of their. Office with ju-
dioial impartiality: r These gentlemen ad-
dressed themselves Nth great industry to
the administration of this statute, and the
result Of their labors together with such
recon naendations - their experience has
suggested are presented in their report.
They state that in the establishment of
rates they proceeded solely upon ttleir con-
victions Of Whist would be reasonable, after
considering the views Of the companies
and the shippers. designing to eject mate
rial savings 70 the poop and ut the same
time not to oppressively reduce the rev
-enuss, o., the roads. They aimed also to do
away with the evils OF Determinations,
which they consider the most important
grievance .: all. Three-fourtbs Of the
carrying business of our roads consists of
the transportation IT lumber and grain,
and it is rs to these that reductions have
been mainly effected. They state that
there has been agcneral . ID substantial
compliance with the law on the part Of
the companies = nd that no we'll founded
complaint has been made Of its violation.
They make several special recom1nen-
dations upon points -whe,e they think
amendments will I've necessary. =
Statutes are generally vindicated or
condemned by their results. This statute
has resulted in the substantial abolition
OF local determinations. The tables which
accompany this report demonstrate that,
pom passenger fares, if the
average earnings estimated by
the Commissioners are correct, reductions
will in one year amount to e69 ,345> BY
the same process Of approximation they
estimate tia. the saving in one year from
August l, 1874, upon the two articles 0
grain and lumber will Le $3.50, 600.
Upon the general question of the right
of the State to prevent abuses and to give
\ remedy for their commission, my own
views arc 30 we'll known through frequent
expression that it is not necessary for me
to reiterate them. regard it as practical
~ settled that this right exists. This
view is warranted by the decisions of
nearly all the courts which have rassed
Upon the question, and nov awaits final
confirmation by the Supreme Court of the
United, States whose decisions upon prin-
ciples which underlie this subject have
placed that court upon q line of logical
consequences which, it would seem, Doust
lead it to affirm the views OF the subordi-
nate tribunals.
The right then existing the question is
merely how shall it Ike exercis. d. That
question it il f.r the people themselves to
determine. II il not q matter of party
feeling. It cannot be circumscribed by
party lines. 1t is aqu~stien of justice, in
solving which it is your duty, doing NO
wong. to SEQ that the people suffer ne
vrong.
As1 close this paper some considerations
press almost lrre:istably TOR expression.
The formal and special details Of legisla-
tive ard executive duty are generally we'll
enough and easily performed. 1t is not
by the performance of such tasks that
public men receive their acquttance and
pass from the scene of trial to the station
OF imperishsble esteem. These acts are
the almost invol antary pei Torrance of the
functions OF the body polite and, though
vital, are unheeded while being done and
forgotten when accomplished. They are
merely the normal incidents OF the vigor
and existence of national life.
You will also be required to deal with
questions OF large and general significance,
which will test Jour integrity and judg-
ment alike, and to their consideration I
doubt not you will apply the highest rules
Ut action. There seem to he times in the
history ofaii~ constitutional governments
when public confidence in public servants
is abated and changed iAtt, distrust. The
cause is almost invariably found In unwise
or dishonest legislat' on. rrivate interests
seeking advancement by public instrumen-
talities become - powerful that the Iunc-
tons OF government act with them with
diseased sympathy. The idea that there
is different rule OF Official action from
that which should govern men in their
private intercourse becomes dominant.
The rcactionary influences of such ideas
reach down and corrupt the popular mind
and pervert the popular judgment until
ove'thrown by the fore 8 Of reform rising
in instruction against them. SIS
have the fullest confidence that NO
such tendencies will be caused by this
body. You are just from the people and
have their latest instructions. You cannot
go far wrong if you correctly interpret and
express them. C.K. DAVIS.
When boy is sitting on the sunny
side Of horse.barn, waiting for his fl.
ther to come home and click him, you
might talk astronomy to him for four
straight hours and not excite his inter.
est.
"a - -. :.