Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-04-07

at Dover authorizing the building OF 4
new competing line ot railroad down this
state, has brcn forced upon those who
were urging tile measure by the knowl-
edge that sufficient number Of members
measure 10 prevent its passage. On
portion then OF this representa-
tNes Of the people OF Delaware
rests the responsibility for fastening the
hold Of monopoly on our State. We
say q monopoly with II full UNDER
standing Of the meaning OF the word. A
single railway is not monopoly simply |
b"canse it has no competitor, for in that
ease the fear Of composition may restrain
it from abusing the privileges which the
lack Of rivalry oilers but when a State
deliberately REFUSES all opportunity for
competition by denying the authority toa
rival line to build railroad monopoly
in the true sense Of the word is estab-
llshed by law aud the men responsible
for its establishment make themselves its
hostages to tie people for all the conse-
quences which may How from its guarau-
;eed freedom from competition.
This is the position before the people Of
Delaware of the members Of thu Legisla-
ture who have forced them TO this
dependence without relief or alternative
on = single corporation foreign to our
people, ior the transportation facilities
essential nowadays othcir very existence.
The corporation which sought the
privilege of building a line down our
State was one which was chartered by
our Legislature and which was bound by
law to a maximum rate Of freight far
below that charged by the existing line.
1t had behind ii another corporation Of
abundant means and which will
shortly be prepared to forward to
the markets OF the world all
the products OF Delaware which new
line down the State could have brought
to it. 1t could at least have had The
opportunity if it chose to use it TO relieve
the cry which our fruit growers annually
send up, that the bulk Of their profits g
to the railroad. 1t was the only oppor
tunity ever offered for the only possibl,
relief for whatever wrongs or extortion
may have been practiced by the old line
and it has been refused by the action
OF those who were the sworn custodian
Of the interests Of Gun State and tile wei
no more cruel blow by the bitteres
enemy OF our state and yet it has bee
struck by its protested friends and il
peoples representatives.
A new railway would have, in its meg
building, Immediately developed ne
interests and promoted tile growth
population and industry. 1t would hay
caused the expenditure Of thousands
dollars and given labor to thousands
men. 1t would have helped those po
tions Of the State which it reached, an
have taken away nothing from those par
it did not reach. It would have increase
the population, to which Wilmiugtc
must look for increase in its commerci
interests, and have promoted our welfa
by increasing the wealth Of the people
the state. 1t would not have been
small competitor with another small roa
both worthless, as some have predicte
but an arm Of giant extended down o.
state u compete with another giant ar
for the patronage Of our ppople,lp7 stead
whitening for want Of support both wou
rather have been rivals in promoting t
material welfare essential 10 the sucGe
and health Of either, All this, We graz
is on the supposition that the authori