St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-01-14
A Subject for Legislation.
ISugar-BOWl.i

o'e oAcia sCosioH, yCt IL Is "cll W
have their attention called to matters
of Importance which should be acted
upon at the next regular session.
Among these, we do not know of any
OF greater interest to the masses than a
law to regulate the tariff OF railroad
companies, and to compel uniform
charges for passengers and freight.
1t is a well known fact that railroads,
unless checked by law, will discriminate
against communities which are entirely
dependent upon their lines for trans
portatlon, charging more than in sec
tloiis where they have steamboat COM
petition. Such is the case on the Nor
gan railroad, and always has been.
Even before the extension Of the rail
road, when they had to pay the Teche
boats one-third Of all received on
freights for the Attakapas parishes,
they charged less than for freights
landed IN the parish of Terrebonne,
hfty to seventy-tive miles less distance,
simply because in the Teche they, had
competlng steamers, while in Ierre-
bonne they had none.
When the citizens of lower Terre-
bonne determined to open canals and
secure water route to New Orleans.
the railroad company immediately re-
duced their freight tariff twenty-five
per cent, hoping thereby to prevent
the completion OF the work. Now that
1t is about finished, we anticipate d,tother
reduction OF twenty-five per cent, to
induce shipments by rail.
In 1878, when Capt. Abe Smith at
tempted to establish a regular line be-
tween New Orleans and the Teche, via
the mouth OF Red River and the At
chafalaya, aud was making money by
carrying freight at one-third off fSlor-
gan card rates, the railroad made y re-
duction of fifty and finally seventy five
per cent. from regular rates, to run him
out. This was continued several
months, meanwhile making Terrebonne
pay the former exhorbltant tariff. Fin
ally, when Capt. Smith was compelled,
by the epidemic, to withdraw, the old
rates were Immediately restored.
Such is still the principle on which
the Morgan company works. The en-
tire parish of Lafayette is dependent
apon the railroad for shipment OF pro-
duce and receipt of supplies, unless
they cart long distance to the Teche
formerly and for this reason they
have to pay eighty cents per dry barrel
and everything else in proportion, while
at Opelousas and Washington, 25 and
and 80 miles further, where boats are in
competition, the road delivers ut thirty
five cents!
Is there any justice in such discrimi-
nations Certainly not, and we hope
the entire press and people of the State
will unite with us in demanding that a
law be passed compelling uniform rates
in all sections, by all railroads, to be
governed by distance only. The people
,t<L4 ac1y ffsS sY6
compelled to give right of way to rail-
roads, and law makers must see that
corporations do their duty to the public
in return for franchises given.
The passenger tariffs on our Louisiana
roads are altogether too high, and
our legislators, like those of nearly all
other States, should restrict and fix the
rate. In some States, where some roads
have more travel than others, they are
required to reduce the passenger tariff
proportionately. Thus some are per-
mitted to charge but two cents per mile
others three and but few four-nevel
more. Inasmuch as the Morgan rail
road, the leading company in Louisiana
has SO much travel over their line, they
certainly scould afford to sell local
tickets at three cents per mile, instead
of five as at present, and Communication
on 500 and 1000 mile tickets at two
cents. ii
Another change should be made, and
by the company voluntarily. in the IN
terest of commerce, namely, q cessation
of advance collection on freights ship.
ned from New Orleans. IN the first
place, il is hardship to merchants te
De compelled to prepay freights on
goods usually sold on credit, and second.
Iy causing great delay in shipments by
recurring draymen to fall in line and
wait their turn, sometimes for hours
before they can pay and secure receipts
We hope that the knowledge that grea
complaint is made by New Orleans
shippers, on account of this rule re.
.nuirfng prepayment of freights, vii
induce The company to abolish it. II
was well enough when they had to re.
shin on boats; but now that they have
agents at every station, who could col
Iect on delivery, we see no good reason
for the continuaneeo OF the custom. The
goods are always worth more than the
freight, and hence the railroad is secure
ia any event.
Think of it! During. the year jus,
closed $1,000 persons died IN New OIL or
CITY, on nearly 1000 more than IN 1881
Was onlv 26. 6.l30, Or nearly 1000 less thar
in the previous year. This shows tina
there were nearly 1900 more deatn'
than births, which indicates that II !
were not for the influx OF Immigrants
New York would be on the roadEo e1
tinction States.
q,he Rev. a. w. Weld, Of Vermont
" s1.--s.ad an alnnTAnt sermon ON tht
Saafh @ nf Garfield, the other day, but j
..aar ~ fnrns out to have been stolen from
I : - ',awsnaner. \ urs It takes us neWspape
4aiIows m to dish up first-class sermon
ar a,,d tl1e time will yet come when W
viii vii be recognized as the worlds evan
eelIsts. States.