Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-03-11
RAILROAD LEGISEATION.


manhood, when he should perform some
public service which should cause his
name to become of world vide fame.
What the Honorable Mr.. Archer's youth
ful dream was we have no means Of
knowing. 1t may have been to Iise to
eminence on the field of battle to gain
imperishable glory as leader Of patriotic
Americans in adding Canada to the do
main Of our country ; or perhaps, spur
red on by the glorious memory Of John
Paul Jones, he may have looked forward
to the hour when with only a plank be-
tween him and watery grave, he should
uphold the honor of America upon the
briny deep. But such youthful anticipa-
tions, If he indulged in them amounted to
nought. There was no war with Old
England TO call the patriotic youth Of
Columbia to the tented field when the
rebellion broke out he was far distant
from its scenes of conflict, and, had he
been on the spot his sword would have
been drawn-if drawn at all, against his
country, for the Honorable Mr.. Archer
is States Rights Democrat. Thus hav-
ing failed to achieve eminence as a war
rior or savant, or III any of the outside
walks of life, he has essayed to make, a
| mark as a statesmen, and to do so the
more effcctually he follows in the foot
/ steps Of the ilustrious Freeman. 1t is a
matter Of some surprise to us that he has
chosen the bucoic Yolo gentleman for
imitation, as the constituents of that gem
tleman, with an ingratitude for which
republics are proverbial, have left him
at liberty to pursue the humble occupa-
ton for which he was best fitted, wisely
prcferring to be represented by a Demo
crat rather than fool. But the sad
fate of the author of the Fireman Bill"
has not deferred Mr.. Archer from rush
ing in, in obedience probably to the old
saw which says that " fools rush in where
angels fear to tread" So, though we
escaped two years infliction Of the Free
man monstros sity throu' the conservatism
Of the Senate Mt its last session, and the
people, when their sober second thought
was appealed to set the seal of their con-
demnution upon such impraticable leg
islation, we are treated to another exhibi-
ton Of stupidity, first in the Archer Bill,
itself, and second in its almost unani-
nous passage through the Assembly.
The average California legislator, after
being at the Capital a couple Of months,
feels some what laudable desire TO
serve in that capacity second time,
thinking probably, that as he failed to
make his mark during his first legsa-
tive experience, he must succeed on n
second trial. Hence he is very anxious
to cast his remaining votes in Il manner
which he thinks will enhance his pop
/ ularity at home, and it is tolcrably safe
for him to vote fer any measure which
promises to reduce any expense the dear
people are at, always, of course, except
ing his own per- dicm and mileage.
Aud like a band of sheep which will
bindly follow its leader over precipice,
50 they all followed the lead of Mr.. Ar
cher in support of his bill, some, because
they thought or hoped it would be popu-
lar-othcrs, because they knew they
could not vote understandingly, and
therefore went with the majority. This,
while other States are repeating their
antirailroad legislation, after fair trial
in which it was fairly demonstrated that
a body of men drawn from the ranks of
the people are not competent to deal un-
derstandingly with one of the most diff
cIlt problems Of the day Now the Ar
cher Bill is before the Senate and the
Santa Clara member IS urging its pas
sage there. We have only one thing to
hope and that is that if the Senate pass
the bill at all it will do so in exactly the
shape in which it has come from the
Lower House. We would like to see
who is right and who is wrong in this
matter. II the railways are making the
enormous profits claimed for them by
their opponents, we want SO see those
profits reduced to something within rea-
on, and it. on the other hand, the lcgisla-
ton sought is detrimental to railway in
terests, the sooner it is proved the bet
ter. Then the question will disappear
from our politics and no longer be a theme
for demagoguery.
We are not cOnversant with the fca-
lures Of the other bill, (Murphy's), pro
viding for the appointment of n Railroad
Commissioner. But our impressions are
that it must be upon some such plan that
the transportation question will have to
be solved. a board of officers cmpow.
cred by law to obtain all needed inior-
nation in reference to the cost of build
ing, working expenses, receipts and pro
fits, etc, could base an estimate for the
use of legislators which no committee in
the short space of n session can hope to
do. Without doubt there are cases where
restraining laws are necessary, where it
is not ;he part Of wisdom to leave persons
or places at the mercy of corporation,
but these instances can hardly be reach
ed by such bunging work as is witnessed
in either the Freeman or Archer bill.
Although the Independent party, which
had its origin in hostility to railroads,
was crushed out in the late campaign
there is enough of the sentiment yet left
for demagogues to truckle to, ana it is
best to have the matter dealt with intelli-
gently.
THE first veto message of tho session
Nuns snnI In 10 fhn Snnntn On Tnn.ln,