Daily Los Angeles herald., 1878-03-01
Freights asd Fares.

Our people may as we'll begin to
realize the fact that every conceiv-
able influence must be brought to
bear on the present Legislature If
we are to hope for any satisfactory
legislation on freights and fares.
From Gen. Stoneman we learn that
his advices from Sacramento are
far from reassuring. He is in re-
ceipt of letter from the Secretary
OF the Board of Transportation
Commissioners which does not give
the most encouraging accounts of
the prospects. Our own members are
doing yeoman's work, Col. Smith,
particularly, bending all his ener-
gies to obtaining the legislation de-
sired by our people. Our kilograms
Of yesterday contained the follow
ing:
Smith, of Los Angeles, presented
= joint resolution quoting from the
Republican, and DEM
ocratic State platforms of 1875 on
freights and fares, closing with the
expression of the opinion that it is
the duty of the Legislature now in
session to regulate the freights and
fares now In use on Railroads.
Col. Smith does entirely right in
recalling the representatives of all
these parties to their pledges. AS
a devoted Democrat, Gen. Stone
man deprecates the effect the nom
fulfllment Of its pledges would
have on the fortunes OF the Demo-
cratic party. We entirely agree
with him. 1t could not fail to be
disastrous until new set of lead
ers should come to the front.
To take a very contracted view of
the matter, the State of California
has been at very considerable out
lay in preparing for a comprehen.
sive scheme of railway regulation
as to freights and fares. In actual
money $4,000 is probably not a
strained figure. But, large as this
sum is, 1t is nothing to the evil and
disgrace of suffering it to become
apparent that the corporations are
all powerful in the present Legis-
iature. Should that fact indeed
become established, the Democratic
party, which possesses al over
whelming majority in both
Houses, must take the entire re-
sponsibility. 1t is already plain
that the tactics of the Railway
Company will be delay. Every
appliance of parliamentary warfare
will be brought into play to stave
off action until it shall be too late.
0fths Senate Railway Committee,
which consists of nine mem bers, at
least five are friendly to the Rail-
way, and some of them lave a d.
rect pecuniary interest in standing
by the corporations. AS far as they
can bring that result about, the
process of " smothering in commit
tee" may be looked for. Only an
energetic and pronounced public
opinion, whose menacing express
sion shall make men who hope for
q political future consider all the
bearings of their action on their
personal fortunes, will save the
Commissioner bills. Los Ange-
les county, which has a more di-
rect interest in this matter than
any other community, almost,
should see TO it that her voice Is
heard ia Sacramento.
The Com missioners of Transport
tation regard their own position as
highly delicate one. They can't
we'll assume the role of lobbyists.
To log-roll for the passage of the
measures they have matured with
30 much care would be certainly
beneath their dignity. Their task
was finished when the bills were
digested and formulated. In addi-
ton, one of their number and the
clerk remain constantly at Sacra-
mento to give all personal informa-
tion which members of either
House may desire. If they were to
exhibit any collective activity they
would be open to the imputution
of aiming to secure their own bread
and butter by retaining salaried
positions.
AS at least q month remains CO
session of the