The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-09-11
HdrEs C MlTTHEWs's COMMUNISM
What the Administrations Mean. to Do with
the Railroads.


We are given TO understand that the plank
in the ONO X ,publican platform affirming the
right of thu Federal Government to control in
tr-Stntr commerce. was not inserted there with
out ext tended consultations and repeated inter-
changes of views among prominent men at
Washington. Secretary Shrrman's recent sig
nincant reference to the subject in his Mans
Held speech is also an incident not to be over
looked.
Moreover we see 1t stated as II on authority
that NJ least a minority Of the Cabinet. II they
are not unanimous. accept the resolution Of the
ONO C"nyention in lis declaration that Congress
ought Ia exert It's authority over all national
highways of trade. by pres riding and enforce
ing such reasonable equations " ia will pro-
mote the interests Of capital ana labor and pro-
trrt the stakeholder the shipper. the employee.
nnd tue public. What these reasonable rclsu-
laiions " are may be seen on recurring to the
Iowa. understood 10 maintain very intimate re-
lations with the Executive. which pro-
vide,l for tho establishment Of "a Board
OF Railway Commissioners under the In
terror Department. 10 consist Of nine per-
sons. appointed by the President, one from
each Judicial circuit in the United States. with
authority To- regulate freight and passenger
rates and provide rules for the general manage
ment of railways extending into two or more
states Severe penalties are prescribed for
the violation of such regulations as thnv may
see I'll to esiabl sh. The Commissioners Wore
20 receiv" salaries Of 81 600 "a year each, with
neccssnry travelling expenses, T., g.. Since
Mr.. MCrary became n member of the Cabinet
We are given a. understand that ne has not only
not modified his views on the duty Of tongrc -
IN this respect. but has be- 'omc more than ever
convinced OF IN" growing necessity OF some
legislation 10y which the general Government
may hay" IN" power 10 regulate railway traffic.
and by the interference OF It's authority prevent
a Repetition Of the recent conflicts h.tNvcrn cor
purltlons and their employees. There Is no
installing IN" drift ~ these views. and when il
+ borne IN mind that Mr.. McCrary. rs one Of
III" Presidents Constitutional advisers is "a
mu'h NOR" influential person than Mr.. Nc
Crary. NJ. C.. from Iowa. II IL lair Ia presume
that ne II IN pos lion 10 convert the Chicf Mag
istrate and his Cabinet associates to the same
WAY OF thinking.
We have slid that the movement for this
mammoth Congress onal Railroad Bureau has
acquired tn" greatest momentum ut the West:
but a. II II too big lob even Tor the ambitious
West, IT'S advo 'at's ar" runningly casting about
Tor alliances in other parts Of the country to
help II through. The Middle States are to have
steamship subsidies " in order Ia help home in
dustrics 10 foreign markets. Will" the Mis-
sissippi AMI Gull States are 10 have whatever
appropriations they may want for the construc-
ton OF levces. the dredging II harbors. a., ~.
In other words. the Treasury is 10 be brsct 10y "a
grand combination all along the line. led by ex-
p'rienccd Lobbyists, and backed up by outside
clamor.