Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1878-11-29
= Principle and Exception.

posed authorizing the exercise of reason
able Legislative control over railroads.
These propositions have been net by an
open letter from President Stanford, of
the Central Pacific Company, who argues
at great length against the right, JUS
iiee and policy Of such regulations. The
railroad SYSTEM Of California is control-
ed by this company, which, with the
Union Pacific, also monopolizes the traf-
tic across the continent. Hence the
Central Pacific managers consider the
proposition leveled altogether at them
selves.
On general principles it is true that
there should be no legislative rcstric-
tlons upon business enterprise Capital
should have free opportunity to engage
IN any undertaking, without being sub.
jected to burden or molestation. IF men
venture their money in enterprises, great
or small, they ought to have chance to
get all the results to which their indus
try, intropidity and foresight entitled
them. Competition may, in general, be
trusted to regulate these things to the
advantage Of the public.
But here is a very difficult case. The
Central Pacific Company did not build
with private capital the roads they con-
troll. The main line was Eruilt by money
from the treasury Of the United States
and other lines have been built by mon
cy which should have been refunded to
the government, but has been withheld.
Other vast sums have been applied to
the private uses Of the managers. They
control an enormous property which has
beer created wholly BY the bounty Of
the country. When, therefore, Mr.
Stanford says that, "if the control Of
railroads is to be taken from those who
build them aud who are entitled to the
fruits Of their industry, as other indiyid.
uals engaged in other callincs are, then
railroad bnildinG must cease, or else the
State itself must assume their construc;
ton and opcration,' he is not in thxs
case talking to the point: for these roads
were not built in the way he describes,
And since they were built out of the
public funds it is the duty of a legisIl-
tive authority which represents the in
terests Of the people to check and curb
the ropacity of monopoly, made SO
powerful by the millions bestowed by
government. But in this case Congress
rather than State legislatures ought to
act. And if there ever shall be q Con.
cross which is capable of rising above
the corrupt influences exercised by these
mighty corporations, it will provide such
regulations for these roads as will reduce
the profit Of their managers to something
like reasonable limits and relieve the
country Of an enormous oppression. -
Oreqoaidn.
You can see hole in the ladder oi
| California because she is a powerful ri
val against the interests of Oregon, but
yo1 cannot see any in railroad monopo>
lies in Washington so long as those mo-
nopolies bring water to your mill. and
hence you oppose our Constitutional
railroad provisions. What is the dif,
ference in the principle governing pub.
lie controlsof railroads, whether the cov,
crnmept grants lands for right OF way
and which can be sold for money. OF
whether the government grants them
money from the treasury. Your logic
is spurious and viii not bear the test.
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