Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-03-03
Those Green Bay r. r. Resolutions.
The folIouinr IL from, tho non of :,


The following is from the pen of a
correspondent to the Euening Hiscon-
san of Feb, 22nd, 1881, which we
publish by request, in justice to all
concerned: \ good deal of interest
has been aroused by the two resolu-
tons introduced in the assembly in
relation to the management of the
Green Bay and Minnesota railroad,
As already stated, the resolution call
ing for an investigation into the facts
in relation to the death of two en-
ployes of the road. was killed at once
in the assembly railroad committee
it being shewn conclusiYely that there
was no occasion for an investigation.
The other resolution, mentioned at
the time of its introduction in these
dispatches, called upon the railroad
commissioner to make immediate ex-
animation Of the road, its rolling
stock, bridges, etc, and to investigate
any and all charges of unjust discrim-
ination. and unwarranted interference
or neglect or the part of the man
ayers of said railroad, in the exercise
of their power and authority in such
capacity, and to report at the earliest
practicable day to the legislature.
This resolution was prefaced by where
asses, charging that the road-bed,
bridging and rolling stock of the road
were in dilapidatea and dangerous
condition, constantly placing in jeop-
ardy the lives and limbs of all persons
travelling or employed on the road;
and that the managers have INSTRUCTED
and curtailed the rights of individuals
and communities. No fight was made
on the resolution in the Assembly,
but when it reached the Senate it met
a check in the shape of earnest pro-
tests by Senator Quarles and others.
1t was shown that the resolutions
originated in the hands of parties
interested in legal proceedings to
which the railroad company is party.
1t was also shown that the railroad
commissioner already had ali the pow
er and duty implied in the terms of
the resolution. The railroad commits
sioner informs your correspondent
that the Green Bay road has been
carefully examined by him; that it is
in fair average condition, and that
travel over it is attended by no more
danger than attached to ordinary rail
road travel at this time of the year.
Further than this the friends of the
present management Of the road assert
that the road was never in SO good
condition as at the present time: that
it has been re-tied, equipped with new
rolling stock, and is being re-ballasted
and otherwise put in first class shape.
Again, it is asserted that the securities
of the road have advanced in the
market. Taking all the circumstances
of the case in consideration, the reso-
luton is regarded as most extraordi-
nary in its character. 1t is openly
asserted that-howeyer innocent may
have been the introduction of the
measure-the influence behind it all
was an attempt to use the legislature
as a tool by which to depreciate the
value of the companY's securities.
The current opinion among senators is
that it will not live to find its way out
of the hands of the railroad committee,
and if it ever does come up before the
senate it will be killed at once.