The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-10-24
The southern Railroad.


cinnati are intimately connected with
its management; and that can not be
determined without the plan shall have
been submitted to the electors, whether
they will ratiiy the scheme which shall
be submitted to them.
The taxes wrested from property-hold-
ers for the purpose of paying the inter.
est and gradually the debt contracted,
must ultimately come from the producers
of wealth. 1t is finally liquidated by the
increase of the price for using or con-
suming property.
The question then should be consid-
cred by voters, how can this road be
managed in the interest of the people of
Cincinnati, and of the Southern States
How can it be kept from gormandizing
railroad tricksters, whether local or
general? .. .... - .s 3d..
The experience of the people OF the
United States has taught them this les
son; that those who furnished the capi-
tai for the purpose Of building railroads
have been swindled out of their property
by those who have the control Of the
road, through the instrumeDtality of
first, second and third mortgages, and
the mortgages cheated by noE-pay-
ment of interest until finally the con-
spirators shallhaVe bought up the securi-
ties at nominal prices, and then the road
is sold on a foreclosure. New companies
are organized by the gang, which is then
followed by another traud-of watering
stocks-working the road i'll the inter-
OF nf TNn nj n G
| lreigut lines.
| 1t is manifest that railroads are mo-
nopolies, because it is impossible for in
dividuals to construct them without haV-
ing the consent of the States through
| which they run for the purpose of con-
demning property for their road beds,
and because the nature Of the business
of common carrier is such that it re.
quires supervision, otherwise the prop
erty Of the people would be subordinated
to The inordinate greed of those who nave
| the possession Of the roads.
The States generally prohibit the loan.
| ing OF money at a greater rate than that
prescribed by law, and all gains obtained
by railroads and other monopolies above
| that rate is arbitrary taxation, which
checks the production OF wealth in pro-
| portion to the eXtorLion.
| The experience OF the people of the
| Uuited States has taught this lesson:
No matter what grants that are made to
| railroad corporations, whether in land,
| money, or freedom from taxation, the y
have always been managed in the inter
est of those who have the Immediate
i control of them, whether they have
much or little invested. There are NJ
means known within the United States
to bind railroad harpies SO that they
shall manage railroads in the interes Is
of the people. If they can get possession
contracts and leases have to be enforced
by litigation, which is costly and slow
in its processes. They can be circum-
vented by ingenuity; or the facts Can
not be proved, OF they are of char
acter, that they have not been antici
pated, when the lease OF contract was
framed.
1t tuen is absurd for this city Of Gin
cinnati TO part with its possession OF thu
Southern Road under the pretense o
contracts or leases.
1t would be equally absurd for thu
Citv OF Cincinnati TO furnish the rolling
| stock. with the necessary manuiactur
ing and workshops to carry on the busi
ness of a common carrier, through thu
mstrumentality Of officers and subordi
mates. This scheme would open ave
1
, | of Cincinnati would fare even wors
than if she had parted with the posses
sion and absoute control to others.
The Constitution of the State OF Obi,
8 will not permit the CITY OF Cincinnati t.
compel taxpayers TO embark in tn
business OF common carriers, subject u
the litigation Tor damages for collisions
, and breach of contracts to carry good
and passengers from one city TO an
other.
Had the City of Cincinnati mad
known to the Legislature that they de
signed to embark in the business of
common carrier it would never hav
been permitted the city TO construct tn
road; mad the members OF the Legisla
ture disregarded their official oaths /
the Constitution and gave license Tor il
fuiraction the courts would have arrest
ed the construction. Indeed, in case
lalready decided by The Supreme Conrl
; an 1ntimation was given that the Cit
| could enter into no CONTRACTS by which
teould be held liable for damages. HOY
then shall the Southern Railroad b
; WorkeQ2
: There remains but one method an
. thaC is, to establish time table, haVin
competent superintendent, aud perm
the trains OF all roads to use The rOa
s bed, paying a.feasohahle Coll' lhe IFaIh
4 can be weighed and TOLL paid in pr
portion to the tonnage. Tne trains ca
have labels affixed to them desIgnatln
1 the owners. Contracts can be frame
: Ibv which the companies using the road
| shall give security 10 answer Tor a
damages by reason of the breach OF col
e tracts OF trausportations and tor dan
/ ages resulting from collision. Indeed
, tuey can stipulate tnaJ The attorney iC
: the road shall enter appearance III tb
3 courts of the several counties Jhroug
: which the road passes, for the purpos
I of determining the rights OF all VINO sna
be injured in person or property. anu b
required to liquidate the judgment Whe
l finally determined. 1t Will be for th
q interest Of Cincinnati to require that a
controversies shall be speedily settle
OIL principles ofjustice.
= The City OF Cincinnati would unde
this system be required TO furnish til
+ road bed with Inc necessary wate
tanks, station-houses, construction an
Wreckiug trains. g.e,
The city would from day to day deriy
r | a revenue from the tolls received for th
o purpose of paying the interest on til
construction bonds, and for their graC
ual and final liquidation.
y The City of Cincinnati would unde