The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-02-15

perry sion IN 1871, wien her railroad
system was in It's infancy. In a mes
sage dated Feb. 18th, 1879, Gov Cul,
lom Of that State relates its history,
causes and benefits He shows how ii
was resisted by The corporations. How
their anticipations Of injury were not
realized. How the Courts sustained
the people. How the system has work
ed and been yindicated, and concludes
by advising an enlargement Of the pow
er Of the Board Of Railroad Commits
sioners. IN the beginning, none Of the
roads regarded the schedules put out by
the Commissioners. Now, they all do,
and everybody, people aud corporations,
are satisfied The number Of roads in
the State have increased tourfold. 1t
was Illinois legislation that produced
the immortal opinion pronounced by
Chief Justice Waite vs.. Illinois, Otto
/ page 513.
In Iowa, the contest was hot and
heavy. 70 show what'was said by the
corporations against supervision, we
will here insert an extract of a letter
from Mr.. Albert Keep, President of the
| Northwestern Railroad to the Governor
of Iowa, dated January 9th, 1874:
/ This Company respectfully insists that
/ the Legislature Of Iowa had 20 constitution
| al right to pass an act requiring this Com
psny-to operate its roads aud the roads
and tue roads leased by it at 50 great an
absolute loss, thus UiFttaily confscating its
property; and believing that the people OF
Iowa would not perpetrate an act OF in
Justice ruinous to this Company and dam
aging in its results 70 themselves, if they
understood and believed the facts rs above
stated. 1t is the intention of this Company
for the present to operate its roads upon the
rates fixed in law for such length of time aS
will demonstrate the absolute injustice of
these rates and, in order that its rights
may be preserved, bprOtests that none Of The
terms Of provisions Of said act are accepted By
this Company, nor Is this Company boiald By
said act because Tie same has no constitutional
raiiditg.
President Keeps opinion to the con-
trary, the property of his road was not
'confscated" by State supervision The
Courts pronounced it constitutional.
His road has prospered other roads
have had similar experience and the
railroad system of Iowa was quickened
into new life and prosperity under the
supervisory legislation which he at first
regarded with unmixed horror.
But in Wisconsin, the battle ragged
fiercest. The right of supervision
was embodied in the form of law re-
quiring the Governor, on or before May
l. 1874, to appoint three Railroad Com
missioners to serve three years-these
Commissioners to have full authority to
examine the books of all railroad com
panies, administer oaths, examine wit
nesses, compel their attendance, and the |
production of papers, etc. The Board |
was required in January of each year.
to make report, showing the actual
cost of each railroad in the State; the
gross receipts of each road for the year
the net earnings; the in.
terest-bearing debt, and the interest
paid the amount Of the debt Incurred
for operating expenses and computa-
ton of how much of the debt is charge
able TO that part of each road now lying
within Wisconsin. The Commissioners
were also to classify all kinds of freight
act specially classified by law. The
decisions of the Commissioners we're to
be binding on the railroads with refer
,nee to the classification. and every vio-
alton Of the regulations to be punish
d By fine. The salaries Of the Com !
iionefs arc fxed at $4,000 a year, with
3 per day for travelling expenses.
A newspaper of that date, referring ]
o the law, said s
Legislation possessing such Inspiration as
his would hardly command the attention +
.ttA VI 4tcC soV4 9Ht448U4
vas worth having; and when, to carry on.
Is provisions, which affect the most deli .
ate aud constantly varying aud variable {
questions Of trade. commission eonsistingI
{ hack politician, 4 weak-kaesd farmer.
nd weakened sehool-teacher, is appaint.I q
1, the public is prepared to side with the !.
Dmpanies rather than with the State which =
eeks e control them f
AperE Ron It's fundamental errors the
sgislatioIl ab0unds II crudities aud contra
Ietions. The Commissioners are permit
"a ID one act to travel free oger tho rail
lads; another section provides severe
unishment. By nne OF imprisonment, Of
NJ State official who accepts Z pass. Dis
rImInations against local freights IN favor Z
+ those coming from or passing through q
mother STATE, are strictly forbidden IN one :
lace; il another, Interstate commerce
zcepted from legislation. e
The Presidents 81 the st. PanI and &
afIhwesern roads estimate the reduction ).
their earnings. consequent upon adapting 8
e Official tariff to the thirty per cent, md p
the expenses Of operating amount II s.
sxenly per cent, they claim that they
Guild thus b len unable 70 pap The intel-
i % their bonded debt Or any dividends q