Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1879-02-15
Vicc-President Keyser before the
judiciary Committee.

The speech of Nice-Prcsidcnt keyser
before the judiciary Committee, yesterday,
demons rates 40 least three things quite con-
cIus,ytlr. Aud tle first Is, the folly Of any
man. OF body of men, who are wholly without
practical acquaintance and experience IN any
line Of business. cSSayiug % regulate aud
prescribe 10 detail just how that business shall
or shall not De conducted upon their own
crude notions and prccouceiyed theories, never
tested. aud that DO not conform % any known
or established practice among men.
To demonstrates secondly, we think. beyond
controversy. that the measures which have
been Coz some time maturing IN the Legislature
are tac offspring Of this same crude and I'M
perfect conception Of ,he subjects with which
they Deal.
Ii demonstrates, Thirdly. that de manage
meut Of the business of q great corporation
demands the most consummlte skill, the high
est business talent, and above all a very large
experience. That DO view Of the mutiform
interests. the minute details, and The vast
amount Of capital that must be cared for 10
It's management. together with the fact the,
over S87 100000 Of the c0mpanys capital Is
invested in this State-in view Of these facts,
we say. 70 ecomes DO tr.ding consideration 90
the company that it must submit the conduct
of It's business % the Judgment aud control OF
men whoare conl,ssedy without experience,
and who are without any practical acqmint-
auce Whatever with the demands aud coutlu-
cencies which enter into It's management
TIE least therefore. that body of meu upon
whom such a responsibility falls can do, Is 90
give t5e subject chat cain, co.'s .ieutious and
patieut consideration which &c de>ervcs 20 ;heir
bands. There is 10 occasion or proPTiety for
hos,i ITS 90 heat in dealing with the subject,
90 90 enforcing any character OF extremes
The man who desires 20 be fair and inliciuus
will not thus approach q matter Of business.
Ignorance aul 01aticism are alone compatible.
They are parent aud child. And 10 is only
when q man sees but one side OF q question
and S. carr ID away by a single iiea that le
becomes huatica'.
Mr. Kcysers exposition Of the policy of lis
company iu tle management OF the road Is
clear. frank and businJsslike There was no
uterusa,ory % ihe many propouuded by the
committee 20 which Le dil not respond with
40 explanation SO comprehensive as % con-
vince Che auditors chat tie company bad a,
least reason for its policy, aud was not ac-
,Gttcd by mere caprice.
On no point was BE more convincing and
6rc.be thla 10 showing the fallacy Of at
tempting 90 enforce d rigid compliance with,
rcstlllisluga Gxel and ulaitea5lc schedule
ofratts-a schedule that should provide more
chan max mum and minimum, aud should
not. 40 least. De allowed % vary within that
limit % meet speca, cases lie showed that
p railroad company was bound, alike with
every other business. Oh make a distinction
between wboleslla-ani retail rates. As mer-
chant will always favor q special customer,
ana awe lim better terms upon large than a
small pu-ca lse. Sd also, when q railroad COM
pary finds man who would be willing o.
Ship twenty cass Of particular commodity,
provided DE could get ato market with cer-
TAIN margin iorpr06t ana would no, otherwise
ship 10 all. the company wl. rather give BIN
special rates than lose the opportunity entirely.
Ius Doe claims. constitutes the basis Vt all
complaint 1f discrimination, ana ye; is The es-
t4blslel usage 10 all railroads is necessary
o ih,ir success; ana that any other policy
w.ul oe oppressive aud disastrous % tie
interests of many kinds of business enterprise
a cog the route. He illustrated Che point
very clearly 90 The case Of competitive coal
mircs il the State.
Finally. Mr Keysar affirmed that tdo scLel-
u'. % rates that tLe company bias prepared,
a.l which will - into effect on the 18th inst,
$50. be- tie same in al. tle seven States through
nii -l the road passes Us in West Ni-siui'.-
There Is much la ,ie speech that is instructive.
d, oa-lt,. ts read by tie people Of tle State,
aud s. each legislator who has a responsibility
iai dis calrsetioa. Mr keyser has pointed ont
tte fact that forty per cent. of the wealth Of
Gun State Included 81 the eleven counties
through which tae Tlal PASSES. The interests
OF Gle raI aIe the Interests u toe State
ana rice rersG Therefore. il be-
lo.vas ,he Legislature 90 deal with it as with
.us of tleias,itut.ous of the State, neither Civ
.ug 10 an undue license. uor lettering It with
unjust restnctons.-H Welding Register 1914