New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-02-08
WISCONSIN RAILROAD LEGISLATION.


WISCONSIN RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
TIE DEFEAT OF CARPENTER TO BE VISITED ON THE
RAILROAD CoMPANIEs-DIsPosITIoN TO RETAIN
TIE POTTER LAW AND MAKE ITS PROVISIONS
MORE sTRINGENT-BILL FOR TIE SUPERVISION
OF RAILROADS BY BOARD OF STATE COMIIs-
sIoNERS.
MILWAUKEE, Wis. Feb. THE unexpected
result of tho Senatorial conflict in Wisconsin has
blightcd the hopes and erobttcrcd the thoughts OF
many legislators and politicians. Their hostility is es-
pecialy directed against the railroad companies. The
Milwaukee and Paul Railroad Ia the special obj OF
attack It's President Alexander Mitchell. Is charged
with having pLed the defeat OF Carpenter. and
in retaliation the angered member. swear they will not
only refuse to modify the Potter Law, but will make its
prov visions stli more burdensome and OOnoxOn'.
sample OF this spirit shown Thursday, whcn
resolution declaring the the Assembly that
the principle Of the law known the Potter law ought
to be retained in the legislation OF the State passed
unanimously.
A. first Submitted, the resolution instructed the Rail
road Committee 10 report such amendments rs they
deemed necessary 10 render the operation OF the law
Just and Efficient But the Assembly In mood to
brook sucl suggestions, and INN ddtcy stricken
olt. The disposition forced the passage 81 Joint
resolution 70 cut off business after the 10Th inst
and to Gaay adjourn the 25h lust. Mjor Plnney OF
Madison advised delay because it understood
the railroad companies DESTROYS OF making
statement regarding the operation OF the Potter Law.
which prompted member 10 remark. that such inten
ton on the part OF railroad companies just the
reason why the Legislature ought to adjourn soon as
possible such was the state of affairs when memo
rial OF the Chicago and North Western and the Chicago
Milwaukee and St. Paul Companies, was presented Ia
the Senate Saturday morning. Whatever the merits or
defects OF the memorial may be- portcnds bitter era
ia railway conduct II Is studIous cndeavor to lay be-
fore the Legislature the material which to base
Just conclusion. EvIeuy no pains have been spared
to codte facts and figures from trustworthy sources
from which to institute comparison OF TIE results OF
railroad operations in other States and countries and
the differences between the rates there charged and
these established by the Potter law. TDo memorial will
be presented in the Assembly Tue day afternoon or
evening The West Wisconsin R,lroal Company are IN
a position to make effective statement, and vii
doubtless do So The road has been unable TO earn the
interest upon bonds No charge has been preferred
against any Of these companies OF fictitious cost or
interest stock. Tae roads are believed TO nave UecL
honestly built
A few railroad bills have already been Introduced,
the main drawn by Carpenter Il has some good
features and others that are Unprictcable Il pro-
poses allow the company to fix their own rates u fArc
aud freghts, long they 30 not earn over ten per
the value OF tae roads cNusvc 81 interest the
cost 10 be fairly asccrtaiucd by the RtrOId CJmni-
soners aided by expert II wouli thus repeal the pro-
visions OF the Potter Law, fixing arbitrary rates. Ia
case more than Opcr net earned the CJmn's,on-
crs are 70 rcluce the tariff both pl-sore AMI freight
II also provides fl the appointment OF state hEch'
who are 10 visit every raiIOl1 station in Wisconsin
once month, look over the railroad books ana ac
counts, how the Business IS GOne AMI report TIE re-
suit OF their observations - the Governor AMI railroad
COMMISSIONERS II tie Of inter > ate shpn'r'
the conductors wing AZ the first station IN "l
con IN are to report t. the agent Ac gross n uJr
oi pounds OF all freight transit tho kind If comn0i
lis Tho distance 20 hc hau'ei f. Wtcousn t-' c!ss 90
winch the fr1:ht "a placed, the rate per iJHn = ~"
lanes e isu"c and Cbn~ sn'r. III" place o. 3D.
mont auG tie d-.iuitCH. II' b.H j. S"iF l"hE. t
provide FOR u'u-.Cu, penalties IN TIE -Etp9 o. las
and al rIsOHiL MS.