National Republican., 1877-08-22
NATIONAL CONTROL or THE RAIL
ROADS.

There are indications on all sides that an
Effort will I've made this winter by Congress
TO put all the interstate railroads under the
control of the National Government II is
very important, therefore, that the extent
and character OF that control should he very
thoroughly discussed before any definite
policy upon the subject should bo adopted.
There are certain great principles in regard
10 which there can bo bnt little diitn nc
Of opinion. Congress having power to reg
ulate commerce among the States, that
power cannot be limited by arbitrary rule,
but must be held to include any measure
which is intended TO render that commerce
secure and beneficial TO the nation. II is u
discretionary power, and must, therefore, be
held TO he broad enough to sustain any
measures which Congress may deem it OK
pedicnt TO enact in relation to that subject
matter.
Before Congress can properly decide what
remedies to adopt IL should of course be
fully informed as TO the evils complained
Of An inquiry of this sort would bring out
many cogent reasons in favor Of having the
Government assume complete control of all
interstate railroads. They should be
treated as channels of commerce just Us the
rivers and lakes are, and such regulations
adopted rs would promote the safety Of
travel Secure fair returns for the capital
invested in them, fair wages ior tho en-
ployees, and prevent the formation of those
inside rings winch, ns transportation com
panies and as similar associations, have long
plundered the stockholders ont Of their
Legitimate eaIn,ugs
While Congress 10 considering this sub
iect it would be well for them 10 inquire
into the management Of railroads by the
Governments of Europe. Much instruction
could he gained in that way, and
many things discovered which we could
with profit initiate. A correspondent
who Is familiar with the management Of
railroads In Germany, In communication
published In another column commcnds
very highly the system adopted by that
country. We believe he ouly expresses the
sentiments of all intelligent Americans who
have travelled abroad. The railroads under
Government control In Europe are 1T pres
ent far more economically aud judicously
managed, aud serve the interests OF the
public fat more efficiently than our Ameri-
can railroads. Why then should we hei-
tate about adopting the same system? Shall
We admit that our free Government ia lass
capable Of framing measures calculated To
promote the general welfare than the mon
nrchies Of Europe3
lhis scheme would give ADDITIONAL value
IN the securities of all the inter State lines,
for II would put an end to watered stocks,
excessive salaries, inside rings and all those
.Ievices by which stockholders and bond.
holders are now plundered. Besides, the
whole subject would then be under the di.
rect control Of the people through their Rep
resentativcs in Congress. There is no other
Legislative body in tho world moro COM
t,letelv snbiert IN tba will of ths nconle
Than Congress, for by means OF the tele-
graph and the daily press every word and
Vction Of the members is closely watched
and unsparingly criticised by the citizens
3n every part Of Tie Republic. For this
reason tho railroads eau Je more safely con-
srolled by Congress than by the Legislatures
Sf the several States. Indeed tho strongest
argument for giving the nation control o
Ehe railroads Is the fact that they are now
80 powerful that no single Stats osn oopt
with their influence.