Middletown transcript., 1878-05-11

The charters now held by the P. W. &B.
were granted in the dark ages of railroad
ism, and contains provision which Chief
Justice Waite said: ''might prevent legisla-
tive CONTROL" It is a maximum provision
of charge upon freights.
Admitting that this doubtful language
puts ont of the question the plan of reasona-
BILE regulation by our courts, yet the wisdom
ofour fathers provides a legal, just, and
morally legitimate recourse for the accomplish
ment of brushing away a contract not in
tended to be everlasting, and certainly long
since made obsolete so far as its provisions
were intended as protection to our people;
by the means of these great and recent dis
coveries in science and mechanic arts, which
have had for no secondary effect the creation
and extension of internal rail communica-
ton. The conditions now is that even natur-
al watercourses are in riEalship with rail-
ways at disadvantage.
improvements in everything which enter
into the supply ofrailroads have gone far be
yond the foresight of our forty years ago ru-
lers. The cheapness of transportation las
general fact would be incredible to them.
The small sum charged as freight on bush
el of grain from Chicago TO New York would
have been coupled by them with the won
ders of the telegraph.
1t is unreasonable as our progenitors knew,
that men can make business contracts, in
tended TO last forever, reaching and control-
ing business affairs in their essence, from the
ignorance and crudites of primal state to
its intelligent improvement, extention, and
ramifcatiOn everywhere, undying bodies be-
ing the parties, and unborn generations one
Of them
The condition of perfection has long been
reached, ifsuch an obligation is just to be
kept, or valid to be enforced, but reasoning
on the obligation of contracts, and the invi-
olabilty Of vested rights is useless here, there
is no such question. When the individual
corporators invested their capital here they
we're aware Of the provision of our State
Constitution IAN acknowledgement of falli-
bility of man) that ''no act of incorporation
shall be hereafter enacted without etc., etc.,
and with reserved power of revocation
Itis at present only the question of the
proper time when sovereign State should
renew a contract governing the essential bus
iness interests of her people and her great
est corporation, which practically is perfect
monopoly. Can it be possible that a maxi
mum made for the protection of the public,
in the days of stage coaches and water bar
ges, is fitted TO the same purpose in the
days of Bessemer steel rails, lasting fifty
years, costing S43 per ton (S225 in 1851,
and improved rolling stock and forty-fold in
creased business.
Shippers and receivers of merchandise
have been antagonized by unfair treatment
within the last thirty days. Special rates,
the grantees pledged to secrecy, have been
freely awarded to citizens of another State,
and when the knowledge that these contracts
were to be had became public, and Delawa-
reans seek to share the advantages given to
others, all special terms are Withdrawn.
We believe that the period, looked to by
our State Constitution, has arrived; that in
the rapid march of invention and discovery
the limited contracts so made are untitled
longer to protect us from extortion and dis
elimination. So universal is the cause for
dissatisfaction that we believe all citizens
will hear, should we appeal, and pursue the
legal and honorable course open for our
common relief. Peach growers have been
specially burdened in order to coerce them
to vote, to tax, and to govern by railroad di-
rection. Let us league ourselves with others
to be rid of unjust, crushing tribute, and
harsh dication by peaceful, quiet and order
ly methods.