Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-01-16

VLlht i Uc1lctc ~ WCIt W COuo1uCL CScIy pAhn lOI
accomplishing the object that may have any
feasibility. ,Ss tn rsi55s5 Az ..l \. i5s..
The right Of the iawmaking power to regu-
late railroad tariffs has been sustained by the
highest Judicial tribunal Of the land, and sus-
tained too not merely because Of the ample re-
seryations made in the land grants and other
acts Of our legislatures, but on broader prin-
ciples, such indeed, as are essential to we'll
ordered governments; and cannot but think
that corporate rights are more securely guard
ed to-day BY reason Of this decision than 4 the
been otherwise. In bringing about this result,
the State OF lows has had, as II were, the lead
ership, the mastery argument OF Its late At
torney general apparently pointing the way to
the decision. The matter Of authority having
been diyested Of doubt, the ccnsiderstion q
much OF the acrimony attending previous dis
cussions Of the subject. j see no good reason
for the entire repeal Of the law. am aware
that It is argued that its retention has the ef-
feet to deter capital frominvestingi In railroads
n low. hs h may ss BIT S.. s t not ana the
hasten more rapidly the construction Of rail
roads in neighboFing states. find that dur.
ing the years 1874, 1875, and 1876, the increase
Of railroad mileage In Iowa was greater, both
absolutely and relatively, than In either Of our
Of our neiehbors that showed most decided IN.
crease were Illinois and Missouri, b6th having
laws similar TO ours Nevertheless, believe Il
wise that thorough examination be had into
the working Of the details Of the law, and such
notifications made therein a. may seem for
railroads.. The State Of Iowa has been liberal
IN the extreme to this class Of enterprise. The
first land grants made BY Congress- were turn
ed over to the companies absolutely, although
the act Of Congress contemplated the sale Of
the lands by the State az earned, and the devo-
ton OF the proceeds to the construction ofrail
roads 1.-THE companies were permitted to select
these lands regardless Of their line OF road and
they were allowed, virtually, their own time 70
complete their work, notwithstanding that the
main object Of the grants was to secure their
completion at an early day. Townships, towns,
and cities have been permitted to tax the prop
erty within their limits, to help build the roads,
and the revenue thus derived was turned over
absolutely to the companies constructing them,
while much Of the property OF these companies
practically escape municipal taxation. That q
State which has been thus munifcent In her
encouragement Of this class OF enterprise
should have some control in the management
Of these roads, 80 largely the creatures Of its
bounty, is only reasonable demand That this
control shall be judiciously exercised, SO that
while preventing extortion on the one hand, II
Is equally the dictate Of wisdom. ~,
The creation OF the Office OF railroad com.
missioner, with the power and duties similar to
those exercised by like officials in other States
to be filed by some competent persons, skilled
in the knowledge needed in such position,
Governor, with the consent Of the executive
council or Senate, be authorized to make such
appointments.
fhe Chicago, Burlington 4 Quincy and min.
OILS Central Railroad Companies, and Chicago
Milwaukee q St. Paul Railway Company, hay-
hxy
1888 Of the acts OF the last general assembly ,my
predecessor issued to them certificates, in May,
1875, that they had complied with the act
Since then, II is believed the tariff law has beer
very generally complied with by the railroad
DURING the past two years, the sigourne,
branch Of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
Railroad has been extended to Knoxville, the
county seat OF Marion county, making an ad
dition Of forty-nine miles. The Pacific division
OF the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern
Railway has been built from Traer into Grund,
county, to q new place called Holland, dis
lance OF twenty-five miles, while the main linz
was built from Plymouth, Cerro Gordo county
| to junction with the central railroad of Iowa
Northwood, Worth county, Northwood to Al
bert Lea, Minnesota; the addition in lowe be
| ing about nine miles. The Iowa Pacific Rail
Minnesota Company, has been extended from
Export, Clayton county, TO Lima, Fayette cOun
| ", thirty-five miles, The Dies Moines and Min
| nesota Railroad has been built ten miles fur
Their, to Story City,, Story county. The Chica
CO. Newton q Southwestern has passed int
the hands Of the Iowa, Minpeeota & North Pa
cifc Company, and the branch road has beer
completed from Newton 10 Monroe, making n
addition OF thirteen miles. The Sioux City 4
Pembina road, operated by the Dakota South
western Company, has been built eleven mile'
| In Plymouth county. A new narrow gauge hal
been constructed by the Burlington 4 North
western Railway Company, from Burlington Il
| Winfield, Henry county, thirty four miles, in
GLIDING third rail for part Of the distance OF
another road. The Maple River Railroad hs
been recently built from the Chicago h North
western Railway, through Sac n Ida counties
| to Napoleon, m Monona county. The For
Dodge & Fort Ridgely Railroad was fnishei
during 1877, giving the State four thousand ON
hundred and ten miles tn all.
While upon this subject It Is proper to invitt
your attention to the inequalities connected
with the present mode Of taxing this class o