The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1881-02-18
TOUCHING MONOPoLIEs

The New York Herald, in a recent ed
itorial upon the telegraph consolidation
affected by the Western Union, has the
following to say regarding the power of
the general government to regulate all
corporations which are built up and
thrive by the patronage of the public:
The telegraph consolidation has been
audaciously consummated in fragrant de
fiance of public sentiment and in spite of
the legal and legislative efforts made to
prevent il. The scheme is now an ac-
complIshed fact, and cannot be set aside
either by court or Legislature The gen.
eral assembly may declare all such gross
abuses of corporate power unlawful
hereafter, but it cannot undo what has
already been done.
But are the people now wholly at the
mercy of the gigantic corporation that
has rapaciouly swallowed up its CON-
petitors? Is the government poweriess
to prevent the worst evils of an odlous
henceforth to rcvel in high rates and to
prey upon the public without molesta-
ton by making any charges, however
exorbitant, that grasping self-interest
may dictator Fortunately the answers
to these questions are neither unfavora-
BILE nor doubtful.
BY virtue OF the sovereignty of the
people there is lodged in the govern
ment power to regulate and control for
the common good whatever is "af.
fected with a public interest" This
is particularly true of charges. The
government may fix, limit or regulate
what any common carrier or any person
or corporation whose business lis effect
| al yN.rl,lfc inf cltoll
for his services. Il may name the rates
| for carrying passengers or freight by
railroad, steamboat, ferry, hack or cart
1t may fix the charges that may be taken
| by innkeepers, bridgekeepers and wharf.
| myers. Such laws have been made in
| this country as well as in England, and
| their validity has been affirmed by the
highest courts. What is true of com.
mon carriers is equally true of telegraph
companies. The United States supreme
court has expressly declared that rail
road charges are subject to governmental
control. The principle is precisely the
same in the case OF telegraph rates.
| The constitution of this state declares
that all corporate charters may be al
tered from time to time" by the legisla
ture. The general assembly of New
York may repeal the Western UnioI
charter tomorrow. 1t may change oil
modify il in any way. 1t may tx any
! limit to the charges that this corpora
ton may make for sending messages to
any point in the state. The same power
that New York has other states have un
der like circumstances. The same power
that a state may exercise within its Dor
ders Congress may exercise throughout
the country. Thus the state and nation
al governments haye ample means Il
protect the public interests by imposing
a complete check upon any rapaciou:
exactions that may be attempted by the
company that now boasts of its newly
acquired monopoly.
If this company would promote Il.
own best interests it must serve thu
highest interests of the public. Other
wise the people, through the govern
ment, will take the matter into their Owl
hands. Railroad abuses have mad,
state and congressional legislation i'm
perative. Transportation charges ar
likely soon to come under governments
control. Telegraph rates must in lik
manner be regulated by the government
whenever the necessity shall arise