Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-05-25
COMMUNICATED.
Is. & O r r

IL. charges the same lTelShI lIom Daili-
more to Winchester and Staunton, it
being 100 miles further to Staunton.
This is an unjust discrimination, but
very moderate one compared to many
practiced by the same company on the
main stem, viz: the freight from Ba!tl-
more to Wheeling and Parkersburg is
35 cents on first class 27 cents on sec
ond class q cents on third class, and
20 cents on fourth class, while the
freight from Baltimore to Fairmont loo
miles east of Wheellng), and from Bal
timore to Clarksburg (S2 miles east OF
Parkersburg), is 95 cents on first class,
80 cents on second class, 60 cents on
third class, and 40 cents on fourth class.
The freight from Baltimore to Duffields
will average higher than from Balti-
more to Wheeling. The same is true
to Hancock, Sleepy Creek, Cherry
Run, Vauclevesyille, Harpers Ferry,
Summit Point, Charlestown and Hall
town. The charges from Baltimore TO
Martinsbure and Kerneysvile are high
er on fourth class 6 cents less on first
class) than from Baltimore to Wheel
ing
These charges are in direct violation
of the charter, which the b. IL 0. K.
K. Company acknowledges, and claims
for their protection when convenient,
and disregards when it is its interest to
do so.
Shall this defiance of and trampling
on the rights of the people be permit
ted? Will the shippers continue to pay
these illegal charges?
You say that this evil will be cured
by competing roads. This is a very ex-
pensiye remedy-it has cost Berkeley
county many thousands; Jefferson will
spend S25O,OOO to build the Shenan'
doah Valley Railroad. The courts can
certainly forco the Is. & o. Company to
comply with its charter; if there are
any doubts Of the meaning of the char
ter, it ought TO be interpreted by the
courts as soon as possible.
The Legislature of 1877 enacted oi
amended five laws against the b. IL o
Company-all that were offered were
easily passed. The Legislature Of 1875
will doubtless do all in its power to pro
tect the rights OF the people aud contro
this domineerng and extorting cOrpor
alton, i. e., provided the voters are
watchful to elect men who are sounc
on the railroad question, viz: those who
suffer from these extortionate charges
Representatives in Congress and th'
Legislature will protect their own inter
es,s, therefore it is safer to select mel
who in legislating for their own inter
ests must at the same time protec
yours. Identity of interest between tn
legislator and the people is the only SAT
, policy.
The B. & o. Company will quietl
but influentially do all in its power t.
have its friends elected.
There are other questions in whlc
the people are deeply interested, viz
the usury bill.
You also spoke of the iron capitals
who was forced to abandon his enter
prise on account Of the excessive char
ges of the B. & o. Company. This j
not an isolated case. Mr.. Osborn,
large manufacturer, of Clarksburg, tes
tilted before the investigating commit
tee that he had travelled extensiveI,
through several States, and was full,
convinced that West Virginia would b'
noted for lis manufactures on accoun
of it's timber, coal, iron, and WATERPROOF
er, but for the high freight rates OF TIT
B. & O. r. II.
The truth cant be suppressed, bu
has been admitted by one of the hlgf
officials when closely interrogated, tha
the policy Of the Company is to built
up Baltimore and itself at all hazards
The interests and rights of West Vir
ginia are not willingly regarded, bu
have always been sacrificed to make the
stock OF the Company proftable-en
large the trade of Baltimore. Through
freight is carried at unremunerativt
rates, and the local traffic is heavily
taxed to enlarge the receipts. Our land
is reduced in value, because the charge
on grain is less from Chicago to 3alti
more than from this locality-proximity
to market is a disadvantage. Our tim
Der, coal and iron can not be prOfi,ably
shipped. Every one knows that the
object in granting the charter to build
this road was TO develop the material
interests of this State, and not to de-
stroy those interests, which the present
policy of the Company is doing.
VIII this abuse of chartered rights
this defiance of State laws-ths lessen
ing of the value of West Virginia pro-
ducts-this impoyerishment of our peo-
ple-be longer tolerated. Not much
longer, if the proceedings of Congress
the acts of Legislatures-the restless,
turbulent condition OF society-are true
exponents of the popular will. If the
Legislatures and Courts cannot give the
proper relief, then Congress will be ap-
peaed to. The people are speaking,
are moving, will act, and must be obey
ed. A. q.
THE TGLToN AGAIS-ANorHER HEIR
LIKELY TO BE Born SooN.-The New
York Sun says: Mrs Elizabeth Tilton' 8
confession did not cause so much talk
among the members fPlymouthChu
| az the latest phases of the scandal have