The Portland daily press., 1878-09-21

Under the title Railroads; their Origin and
Problems" (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons;
Portland: Loring, Short & Harmony Mr..
Charles Francis Adams Jr.'s essays, ''The Gen.
esis of the Railroad System" and ''The Rail.
road Problem" have been collected into a very
handsome volume very desirable to possess
Mr.. Adams, who is certainly an expert in the
matter, and has given more time and thought
to the railway problem than any other Ameri-
ican, and as much perhaps as any European,
makes calm and Intelligent study of our
railroad system, traces 1t from its earliest t,e-
ginnings, and analyses its possible dangers and
certain benefits. He is not an alarn.lst. and
does not entertain the dread that the 20 sbanded
monopolies" are striving to enslaye the people,
which 50 many feel or profess to feel but he
does see that the question OF government lin
itation or control OF thesa corporations is a
grave one which is cersaialy coming up at no
distant day for our Consideration, and he seeks
to state the question so fairly and clearly that
we can make up our Judgment int.lligently if
not impartially.
The first essay, giving the history of the
railroad, will doubtless be found the most enter
tanning by the general reader for it is as inter-
esting as good story; but the second, in which
the future of the railroad is discussed and its
probable relations with the Government and
the people, is of greater value to all and of
special interest to the student of economical
problems. Mr.. Adams Is not a "Paternalist."
He holds that the solution of the problem is
not to be found in government ownership, but
in the careful regulation, on the one hand, of
the railroads by government for the protection
of the people, and by the close federation, en-
the other hand. of the railroads for the protec-
tion of their Interests. His views can best be
stated in the words with which he closes the
essay:
"Owing to the extremely complicated char
acter OF the American railroad system, render-
Ing anything like territorial division among
corporations impossible, results here work
their way out slowly. When they do work
tneir way out, however, it is apt to be oa a
large scale aud in a way not easily susceptible
of change. So far as any progress has yet been
made, it is obviously in the direction indicated
the development of government supervision
on the one side, and the concentration of rail-
roads to escape competition on the other. The
manner, indeed, in which, starting from differ
ent stand points of interest and opposite sec
tlons OF tue country, the Massa ,husetts CON-
mission and the Southern Railroad aud steam
snip Association have uncouscously worked
O"dfu CouluOn grOuuu, Is n0tiCea0le. On
the one hand the whole effort of the com m is-
sion has been to develop tribunal which, in
all questions affecting the relations of the rail-
road system to the community, should secure
publicity an that correct understanding of the
principles upon which only legislation of any
permanent value can be based, and which is
reached through intelligent public investiga-
tion. That secured, all else might safely be
left to take its own course. A sufficient re-
sponsibllty would be secured to afford guar
anty against abuse. On the other hand, the
fundamental idea of the association, without
the realization of which it remains incomplete,
is to so confederate the railroad system that
the members of it should be amenable to con-
troll and that responsibility should attach to it.
Could the two results be brought about, the
machinery would be complete. The confeder-
ate railroad system would confront the goveru-
ment tribunal, and be directly responsible to
public opinion. This is almost precisely the
result arrived az in France and in Great Britain,
and is that contemplated in Germany.
ut would be altogether premature to predict
with any confidence that this or similar re-
suit will speedily be reached in this country.
Judging by experience,it is more probable that
the development on the side of the railroad
system will far outstrip that on the side of the
government. The popular disbelief in the pos
6ibillty OF any perm anent combination of the
railroads, at once general and effective, is so
complete that no provision will be made for it.
| Should one be brought about it will, however,
| in all probability, Onca il assumes shape as
| sumo it very rapidly. In that case no great
| degree of public injury would necessarily be
| sustained, bat the difficulty of thereafter re-
| storing tho necessary, equilibrium would be
| materially increased. Another and more per.
| sistent political movement of the granger
| character might and probably would be come
| necessity. As opposed, however, to an over
shadowing commercial interest, so cODcentra.
| ted that all eyes and passions could be brought
to bear upon il, this is not likely to be move
| mene difficult to originate or easy to resist.
A Summer Idyl, by Christian Reid New
| York; ID. Appleton & Co.; Portland: Dresser
s. McLellap) is charmipgly told story, deli
cate and refined in style and of wholesome,
fresh, quality of tone throughout. Flora, the
heroine, is lovely enough to satisfy the most
fastidious lover OF the ideal, and sensible and
sweet enough for everyday life There are none
OF the unnecessary and wearing mysteries or
fantastic misunderstanding that delay the
action and exasperats the reader in many nov
els-the story moves on easily and with spirit,
in sunny, open air fashion; aud although
tbs actual denouement is left to be told in a
| sequel which Christian Reid is hereby requested
to furnish as quickly as may be) little doubt
| exists in the readers mind as TO the ultimate
happiness Of the hero and heroine.