Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-09

A short time since we published IN
these columns an editorial synopsis OF
the admirable letter addressed by Capt.
w. G.. Raoul, Vice President OF tine
Georgia Central Railroad, to member
of the Alabama Legislature upon the
subject of a railway commission Tor tnat
State. 1t will be remembered that capt
Raoul expressed in that letter sentiments
entirely in accord with the position
which. from the very first, the NEWS
took upon this subject. We are glad 10
see that the Legislature of Alabama mas
seen the wisdom of his views, and has
decided not to crush out railway enter
prise in that State by the passage of
despotic railway commission law similar
to that upon our Georgia statute books,
but has made the Railway Commission
of Alabama an advisory body to hear
and decide differences between the peo-
pie on one side and the railways on the
other.
We are also glad to see that the senti-
ment in favor of the repeal of the pres
ent commission law of Georgia is gain
ing ground in our own State, and that
the Legislature, upon its assembling in
July, will be urged to at least modify
that law, and place our commission upon
basis of equity and justice. Among
our State exchanges which have accept
ed this view of the matter, prominently
stands forward the Albany Neaos and Ad
0erttser, heretofore a strong advocate of
an arbitrary commission. In its issue of
Sunday last, that paper reproduces Cap
tain Raoups letter, and under the same
caption as of this article, expresses itself
so sensibly on the subject that we repro
duce the greater portion of its remarks,
as follows:
mo one question is of more import
ance to the people of Georgia Just now
| than this very question of railroad legls-
lation, and it is very evident, from the
interest manifested, both by the railroads
and the people, that it will claim the
earnest attention of the General Assem-
| bly, of this State when that body recon
venes in July next.
'Being railroad man, it is natural to
suppose that Colonel Raoul argues from a
railroad standpoint, but he treats his sub
| feet with such fairness that it would be
| difficult. even if we felt so disposed, to at
| tack him in the position he assumes in
| the letter under consideration. Without
any desire either to indorse or dissent
from any of his views, therefore, we
merely desire to elaborate somewhat upon
one very important point suggested by
reading his letter, viz: the tendency OF
| the recently enacted laws affecting rail-
roads in this State to frighten capital
away from railroad enterprises, thus vir-
tualiy estopping the construction of new
! railroads.&c. greatest of all factors IN
developing the resources OF any country
| The railroads that have been built Ia the
State during the past eighteen years.
some of them penetrating the very
bowels of the richly mlneraled
mountains of North Georgia, and
| others the vast tImbered lands OF the
southern portion of the State, have done
more to develop the natural resources or
our State than any other industry or
class of enterprise, and 1t Is matter OF
the greatest importance to the common
people that this work OF development
should be continued. Ii 1t is seen, then,
that we have State laws which stand as
obstacles in the way of capital seeking
investment in new railroad enterprises,
is it not the duty of the Legislature to so
modify such laws as to keep the way
open to these great factors in the devel-
opment of our resources2 To any fair
and reasonable mind the question stands
answered.
"There has been quite popular cru.
SADIE against railroad corporations in
this State, but a reaction is sure to
come in the near future, because much
has been done that was unwise upon
the part of our law makers, acting I'M
der the influence of the popular feeling
that has prevailed against the railroads
for two or three years past. Laws have
been enacted that must be modified, or
the people will be the sufferers Capt.
tai cannot be driven by legislative
enactment, and it is sure not to seek in
vestment where its rights are the least
infringed upon by law. There has been
Just such crusade against corporations
in the West as we have had in Georgia
during the past year, but we notice that
in Arkansas, Nebraska and Colorado
public meetings are being held by the
people, at which resolutions are passed
deprecating hostile legislation against
railways as certain to prevent the devel-
opment of these States, and to injure
the best interests of the people.
Railroad commissions seem to be the
order of the day whenever the question
Of railroad legislation has been consider
ed. The General Assembly of Georgia
has created a commission, and enacted
laws delegating to it almost unlimited if
not absolutely arbitrary powers. The
NetOs and AdUertiSer was a strong
advocate of some sort of railroad
legislation at the time the act Great
ing said Commission was passed, and
it is now, and will continue to be,
jealous friend and supporter of the Com
mission, but we do not think such laws
should be placed into its hands for exc
cution as will impede the development
of the States resources by virtually
frightening capital away from railroad
enterprises. Men of sense are not going
to invest their money in building rail
roads when they know such investments
will not be relnunerative.
at is very important, we think, that
every State should have some law regu-
lating railroads, but such laws should
not be oppressive Railroads and the
capital invested in them have rights
which should be respected as well as
those Of the common people, Railroads
sometimes become extortionate, arbitra-
ry and unreasonable, however, and are
liable at times to discriminate against
certain interests and localities. Hence
the necessity, we think, for commits
sion; but that commission should stand
as a board of arbitration between the
people and the railroads, and not as an
obstacle to railroad enterprises.
Inf