Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-12-18
National Railroad Legislation.

The popular demand for National
Legislation regulating the inter State
railroads has how been brought be
fore Congress in the shape of pc
tition from the National Grange and
Patrons OF Husbandry, asking for
the enactment OF such laws as will
relieve the country from unlawful
and exorbitaut exsct,ons from the
transportation companies. Judging
from Senator Eaton promptness in
presenting a bill for the organization
Of National Railway Commission,
and the announcement that the Re
,,an bull PILL Re rsv,vad the nan,o.
cratic side of Congress seems to be
disposed to recognize the importance
of the popular grievance and to
agree upon some scheme for relief
The Republican members should not
be bsh'ndhand in this matter. Had
the President Incorporated in his
message recommendation that Con
gress should give serious considera
tlon to this subj CT, be might have
done his party and his country better
service than by his "suggestions,
which have renewed ma measure
The untimely and Improbable agita
ton over the currency Since the
Executive omitted to take the initia
I'VE, the Republican members of
Congress should not permit the
Democrats of that body to lead 10 a
movement which, properly shaped,
Will be the most popular of the pres.
ent session. The Constitution war
rants legislation tor the regulation of
commerce between the States the
Supreme Court, both in the Granger
decisions and passing upon the Pa
eric Railway Funding act, has con
drmed the principle of legislative
regulation in the broadcast sense and
the people of the whole country. with.
out regard TO party attachments,
unite in an open appeal for National
protection against railroad extortion
and abuses which the States, in sep
rate and Independent action limited
by their own boundaries, cannot pro.
vide. The only contention IN Con-
gress over this sabject ahould con-
sist IN a rivalry between the two par
ties as to which shall lead in the re-.
forms upon which both should agree
the end.
Though the subj 'ct is now sup
gested by Granger orgau,z alton
those members of Congress will
make a serious mistake who believe
that the demand tor National protec.
ton against the railroad robbers
emanates from the rural districts
alone. II that were the case. Ger.
tainly the agricuIturaists, who con.
stiiute one-half of the working non
nlat'on of the country and who are
7pgaged in that pursuit that forms
the basis OF Americas greatness and
are entitled to hearing
But the protest against railroad ex
rortion has extended to the cities of
late years as well a. among the far.
'ners, and to the consumers of the
East "a well a. nong the producers
If the West. The merchants who
handle the agricultural products OF
the country. and those who sell the
n anufacturei articles to the prodnc.
era. have come tn realize that they
suffer in common with the farmers:
al classes are ground down by the |
selfish, overreaching, and ruinous
policy whereby the RI lroaf corpora
IONS devour the substance of the
country 10 earn PROFITS upon fictitions |
iapital and declare dividends upon |
stock The people. with |
me accord. now point to the start
ing fact that ours is the onls civil. /
zed Government which tolerates the |
'obbsrv of tn masses by CORPORA.
ions that exist b. public stuff rance
md enjoy grants aud privileges Of
value from the peonle. In
determining the matter, Congress
las for its guidance the systems for
public protection II IT have been
ldoDted by Great Britain, France,
Germany, and other European ma
ions. and il shout be an easy task
o ontliue policy for controlling the
freed OF the corporations that need
lot be experimental or uncertain.
The underlying principle of such pol.
CIV should be TO give the public an
qaal representation in the contracts
.n transportation, which are deter
mined by the charges now fixed arbi-