The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1880-03-07
Speech Of Hon. W. b. Gum, Of Clay, In
the House of Representatives, in Favor
of the Senate Bill to Regulate Railway
Tariffs.

! Mr.. SPEAKER: Asa member of the Com
mittee on Railroads Offering a minority report
in favor of this bill now under consideration,
| would state to the House that ] advocated it
before our committee, believing that its pass
| age by this House would afford some relief to
| the people of Mississippi from the exorbitant
| charges and unjust discriminatjoCs that have
been perpetrated upon them by the railroads
throughout this State 1t is a fact well known
| to every member Of this House, that some re-
lief is demanded The people are olamoring
for 1t everywhere, Our constituents are
watching the action Of their representatives
here with high hopes and buoyant expecta-
tons. Shall their tOndest antcpatious be
blasted by the action of this House2 or shall
we concur with the Senate in the passage of
this bill, and thereby prove to the people of
Mississippi that we have their best interest ut
heart; and do NOT intend 70 disregard their
peutonsi In my portion of the State along
the line of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad
every tenth bale of cotton to say nothing of
other products has been swallowed I'm by
this hungry monopoly, in the way of freights.
wrung from the industry of honest labor; and
while we have had to pay this enormous price
for transportation, this same road has brought
cotton from Corinth, one hundred miles above
us, for two dollars per bale. In the name of
reason and justice | would ask is this right
is it legtimate2 1t does seem to me that this
Legislature should exercise some iurisdietion
over these matters; and ii we have that right.
then | do not hesitate to say that we are recre-
ant to the best interests of the people not to
assert it, Where there is a reasonable Doubt
IN nv mind IN reference to any matter that
has been presented to me in my legislative
capacity, have in every instance endeavored
to give to the people the benefit Of that doubt.
shall do Likewise in regard to this bill for
we know that during all our financial vicissi.
tudes these railroad monopoies have fat
tened upon the hard earnings of a rhvArt,
stricken people. At no time, and under no
circumstances have they manifested
spirit of generosity or liberality towards those
many of whom aided with their money ond
labor in the construction of these roads bnt
on the other hand every appeal has been re.
Jected-every protest and remonstrapce ON tho
part Of tho people has been disrerarded
spurned might say, with scorn, contumelv
and contempt.
Mr.. Speaker do not wish to be conq;darsd
as nm enemy to railroads. On the other hand
am In favor of encouraging and fostering
every enterprise and Improvement that's cal
culated to build UP and develop the resources
oil our State and make us prosperous and
happy people. This conceive to be the hest
plan 70 accomplish the objects designed in this
bill, for it is universally acknowledged that
ooupeti'lon Is the NE OF trade, and when
lines of railway are built througb |
out our State, then the roads now in existence
will be compelled to accept better terms.
Sir, the fact that this bill originated in the
mind of gentleman distinguished for his le-
gal ability, the fact too, that it has passed the
Senate, body of men noted for their intelli |
gence and patriotism, is Of itself a sufficient
recommendation for NE TO endorse it. lam no
lawyer, and hence know nothing as to its con- |
but as stated in our report |
am willing to give to the courts of our State a |
chance to test and settle this vexed question |
And with all of the lights before me. HAVING
given this bill a careful consideration, LAM
prepared to give it my unquali aed support and |
appreciation.