The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-01-13
LOCAL MATTERS.

LOCAL. MATTERS. j.
GRANGE Observation-Disclosures FREIaHTs
DlscgssED.-Q Quite q number OF The. members
Of the order, legislators, and others, assem-
| bled sn n,Grange Hall ,last night to attend the
regular weekly meeting Of ;Blanton Grange.
:, The meeting was called 10 order by the
Master OF the Grange, Mr.: p. Stearns, who
asked DR.. j. NJ. Blanton, worthy master OF
the State Grange, to, preside.sI.,gsL i.it
illegal restrictions upon freights and
tolls p was, announced as the subject for
discussion .,Ia:i = .prG5sg satiftE3 -,
The Chair stated that itwa ON open meet
ing, and that all,were invited TO, participate.
On motion OF Colonel, T. G. Ruffin, General
Bradley T. johnson was invited to address
the meeting on the subject, with special re-
ference to the bill introduced by him into
the Legislature, OF which we gave an abb
stract q few days since. The bill was read
| by the secretary. .5 49, s
General johnson, in introducing his re-
marks, said that he did not expect that all
would unite with him in what lie was going
to say, for during his investigation OF the
subject he had frequently to change old and
preconceiyed notions; but that what we
want is the truth, which can only be had by
full and free discussion. A part OF the
sovereign power OF State is parted with
when she gives n corporation power to take
private property for public uses, and en-
dows it with pcrpetuity, and to this par
ticular class Of corporations gives the power
OF taXation-that is, receiving the money OF
others and applying it for the benefit OF
the public. In Virginia it extends through
| tifty-nine counties, with 1920 miles Of road,
or-o hn
greater than all the taxes of all the counties
Of the State, including that paid to the State.
These roads were created for the use of the
public and for their good. The question
everywhere that railroads are established is,
"Whcther the Government shall govern the
roads or the roads govern the Govern
ment?" It is to sec whether we can work
out the problem that he was here tonight.
Thirty years Of experience in England has
demonstrated that competition will not
work out reasonable rates. The carrying
trade in this country between the East and
the West is done by five main trunk lines.
In their case it has been shown that the law
of competition IS utterly inadequate.
When great masses OF men combine in
complaints be sure there are great evils
somewhere. The railroad management in
the country and the State is utterly ruin
GUS. There are but two solvent roads in
the State. Their property has passed to non
residents, and it is impossible for our peo-
ple long to continue to submit to such a
state of affairs. The States management Of
the roads is inefficient. .-.
First you had tWo-thirds interest in these
roads. Now you have given that up, and
ten years has demonstrated the fact that
competition is of no value. General john
son then cited numerous cases in which this
had been proven. Competition is only OF
value at the precise points where it exists.
Beyond these you are ut the mercy OF the
corporations.
when railroads were introduced into Bel
gium a regular system was laid down and
controlled by the State, and it has worked
well to this day. Six companies control the
whole railroad system OF the kingdom OF
Great Britain.
In Massachusetts it had been demonstrated
that the Government must take hold7of 1t !;
that by an irresistible law these corpora
tions soon degenerate into monopollsts.
The bill offered by him was a copy OF the
English and Massachusetts, bills, with slight
amendments to suit this State. 1t places us
at once on level with those Common
wealths. Under it all complaints are made
to the commissioners, and they examine
into the facts Of the case and make their re-
mort. He cited from lecture delivered by
Hon. Charles Francis Adams, the head OF
the railroad commissioners in 4assachu-
sets, and also report Of the commission
ers, to show the benefits of the plan.
| There is something in this matter, and
sooner or later the problem will be solved.
It affects every citizen Of the Common
wealth. II by good management the roads
can make your ten-dollars-per-acre farm
worth fifty dollars per acre, is it not their
bounden duty to do it? The great central
plain OF Europe is being gradually opened
uD, and when those rich lands throw their
vast granaries open to the world, COM
merce will pass from our hands iHto theirs.
The railroad system in the southern States
is utterly ruinous. It is the duty OF the
State to take care Of the property OF its cltl-
zens. No business transacted for the pub
lie good should be done in private way
This answers the alleged inquisitorial part
of the bill.
General johnson answered the objections
| to the last section of the bill, which would
require the roads to pay the expenses OF the
commissioners. In England and Massa-
chusetts the expenses are borne by the
State.
A colloquial conversation was had be-
tween the gentlemen present as to the
merits of the bill. Before concluding the
discussion it was resolved to continue it at
the next meeting.
The thanks OF the meeting were returned
| to General Johnston for his address, and
COPY of it asked for presentation to the
State Grange, which meets here in a few
| weeks.
The meeting then adjourned.