Daily Los Angeles herald., 1878-03-15
FREleHTs AND FARES.
The Debate in tae Senate-The Los Angeles
County Senator's Demand that the Political
Parties should not Stultify Themselves.

| A"AbNS ohvuiu uVe PbuiutJ 1heAunoifSo'
Mr.. Smith, having introduced
Senate resolution 43, relating to
freights and fares on railroads,
Mr. Norton moved that the reso-
luton be referred to the Committee
on Corporations.
Mr.. Smith-'rhere is no occasion
for anything of that kind. The res
0lutious consist of a statement of
certain propositions enunciated by
the political conventions of the diff
ferent parties in this State, and a
statement of the conclusions that
inevitably and logically follow
from those principles, and L think
that it is not proper that the mem J..
bers of this Senate should refer res
olutiOns of that character to the
Committee on Corporations, in or
der to find out what their pledges
are. 1t is to be presumed that every
one on this floor knows what he is
pledged to by the platform of the
party, and | say that it is neither
proper nor right that he should re-
fer the matter to the Committee to
find out what his pledges are.
M. Lewis-No doubt the Senator
from Los Angeles has correctly
copied the party declarations
adopted in the platforms of the sew
eral parties, something over two
years ago. Since that time, how
ever, Mr.. President, a Legislature
has met. That Legislature APP
pointed Beard of Transportation
Commissioners for the purpose of
inquiring into this subject, and, if
possible to solve the great problem
which has been submitted by the
several parties to the people.
If have reau the Transportation
Commissioners report correctly, l
find that, after two years of exami-
nation, they have found that their
party declarations are not true.
They have found that there is no
such thing as discrimination
against individuals or communities,
only in one instance; and yet, Mr..
President, these party platforms de-
clare that there is widespread dis
elimination against individuals and
against communities.
|
Mr.. Smith-Mr. President: [ beg
leave to take issue at once with the
Senator from Tehama in his con-
struction of the report of the Trans
pOrtation commissioners. He has
read that report with very little
care if he has come to the conclu-
sion that he states. However, that
matter is not before this Senate.
L did not come here to say that
we are bound to carry out the rec
ommendations Of those Commits
/ sioners. / came here in favor of no
plan. l came here in favor of no
particular kind of legislation; but 1
stand here to speak in favor of the
Will of the people, as expressed in
every convention that has been held
in this Stateof late years, and of the
principles repeatedly declared.
Now, Sir, the Senator from Te-
hama thinks this is In very bad
taste, and iutimates that it is cal
culated rather to seek some per-
sonal notoriety, than to advance
the interests of the party or the
State. l again take issue with the
gentleman. can say that these
resolutions were introduced here
with and from profound regard
for the interest of the party and the
interest of the State. The press,
from one end of the State to the
other, has asserted that this Senate
does not intend to take any action
in the matter at all.
Mr.. Lewis-I would like to ask
the Senator if am to Judge of his
motives in this matter by his course
when be advocated the subsidy to
the Texas-Pacific Railroad. Was
that in the interest of the Demo
cratic party and in the interest of
State legislation? II we adhere to
the party platform in one respect,
let us adhere to it in all.
Mr.. Smith, will leave the Sen-
ate to judge of my motives and the
motives of the Senator in all things.
/ explained my position on the
Texas Pacific bill, and 1 am here to
explain my position now. What
ever motives are attributed to me,
whatever motives l may have, en-
ter not into this question. rhe
question is, whether the resolutions
before the Senate should be passed
or not, and it is Irrelevant whether
there is personal notoriety in it,
or otherwise.
1t seems to me that, in view of
these declarations ofthe press from
one end of the State to the other,
that this Senate does not intend to
legislate upon this point, in view
of the declaration made by u Sem
ator upon this floor not two days
ago, that this Senate would not leg
islate upon this point
Mr.. Lewis-Who was 1t?
Mr.. Smith-The Senator from
Sacramento, Mr.. Raymond, SO
stated to the Senator from Tehama.
L arose and asked him why he
made such an assertion in relation
| to the action of this house, but re-
ceived no definite answer.
say that there is q painful APP
prehension that the Senate does
not intend to act upon this ques-
ton, and say that it is right for
us to set the minds of the people at
rest, and let them know If such leg
islatlon will be had. If, on the
other hand, we think it is not
necessary,we should let them know
if no such legislation is necessary
and let us settle that matter by
vote. Let us go squarely upon the
record at once and not wait for
time to defeat all legislation. II
they are to be beaten, let us do 1T
fairly and not let them 20 by de-
lay. would like to have an OPP
portunity of voting upon this ques-
tion, and 1 conceive it to be my
duty to do all can to bring it be-
fore the Senate.
If we are not to have any legisla-
ton it is not necessary for us to
take any more trouble about it,and
it is not necessary for the people to
trouble themselves about it any
more. That is the sole object of the
resolutions.