The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-05-03
RAILROAD LEGISLATION.

RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
1t is minated in several papers in the
state that when the governor calls the extra
session Of the legislature to attend to the
matter of congressional apportionment that
he will also call upon that body to enact some
kind oflegislation for the government and
control of railroads In this state. Tho HER
AID has been frequently asked oflate for an
expression Of opinion on the subject. 1t may
be that the governor contemplstes making
such call, but we do not know that he does.
As congress meets not until December next,
and as It may then DO some moaths before
the basis of congressional representation is
fixed, it would seem pretty sure that the ex-
ira session to attend 70 apportionment will not
be convened short Of year hence. This
fact considered, 1t does not appear that the
governor thinks legislation for the control
and government Of railroads very urgent
II is possible that the governor reasons, that
as in a year hence the system Of railroads
now in course Of construction in Texas will
be fully developed, if not quite completed,
that it may be we'll to have some more def.
mite form Of legislation for their government
than Is at present on our statute books
When the seventeenth legislature esssyed
legislation Of this nature, 80 inanisestly un.
just not only to the railroads bat to tho state
as we'll, the HERALD was very pronounced il
its opposition, and the positions 1t then
took are so we'll known that we need not
repeat them here. As we cannot tell the
nature of the railroad Legislation that may
come up in the extra session Of the legiss.
ture, if any at all be attempted, wo conse-
quently cannot say what position we shall
assume. That is to say, We cannot now
determine what position We will take, further
than that it will be one of absolute impartial
ity and Of absolute justice to the railroads
and to the people. Both parties have rights
and whatever legislation is proposed should
be in positive harmony with the rights Of
both. Neither the one nor the other
can reasonably or justly ask
more or lees than this. The
HsRALD's highest aim Is to serve faithfully
and efectuslly the best interests of Dallas
our home and all Of this section, and Of
Texas. We do not know how we can better
serve and advance the material prosperity,
the growth and the development Of these
than to do all in our power to foster, en-
courage and support railroad enterprises and
all manner of internal improvements and
industries. They bring US population, bring
money into the country, open up now re-
sources Of every nature, increase our COM
merce, build us moro school houses and
churches, sweep away wildernesses and give
us farms and villages and towns anu
cities instead. They are annlilating or,
frontier, SO long the abiding place of tn,
savage and Of lswless men, and establishing
there the temples and the affairs of civiliza
ton and ofenlightenmont. Why then, low
ing Dallas and Texas MS we do, and havini
their good so nearly at heart, should we no
feel deep and abiding interest in railroads
and as a..pleasurabe duty, do all incur powe
for their advancement? They arc the poten
factors to make us all great and powerful
and TO aid our state in achieving that grant
destiny nature has mapped out for her
Therefore, we never have en-
dorsed, and never will enndors
any narrow contracted or preiudicet
policy on the part of the state toward them
but as II is right and 0ninently proper tina
the people should always have the power t,
keep tranchised corporations In due check
and prevent encroschment upon their
rights, or unjust Discriminate,
should they ever b. attempte,
1t may or may not be one OF the pr ope
things in tho future to have legislation
Just.so long as railroads or any other corpor
atoms treat tho people Of the state, and o
tho respective sections, counties and cities Q
the state, with the strictest armness, jus,ic
and impsrtiality, We should prefer to see n,
interference. But If any other course shoul,
be pursued, efforts toward remedying abuse
would quite naturally follow. What woul
constitute an abuse, an injustice or unfair
ness, aquestion that may very properly b
relocated to some time when some case ma
be presented BY any section, city or individ
ual feeling aggrieved.
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