Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-10-13

claimed that the time OF the Bench Is now
fully occupied in official duties Two years
since the illness of Judge Pierpoint was
urped M "A reason for not reducing the num-
Der of Judges, and now, the somewhat I'M
paired health of Judge Rediield, causing
general regret, affords similar reason. Inc
reputation of the Court for impartial ihue-
pendence, and for learning and aoii'ty' ID
such as to be Just cause OF satisfaction' ana
it would not be good policy to impose sucn
an additional amount OF labor upon them as
would cause the resignation of any, partieu-
larry the elder members.
Railroad Commissioners.
This officer makes sensible. business-like
report, and very properly asks that law be
enacted insurng greater safety OF passengers
by recurring each car to be provided with
axes and bars and with more secure heating
apparatus
RaiIrOad LegislatiOn.
Fe~ subjects attract so much attention and
occupy SO much time i'll state Legislatures
and Congress. 1t presents many new pro-
blems, and we cannot look to the past ior
guide to their solution. 1t should not be
kept out of sight and discussion, nor raised
to undue prominence. In its consideration
we should be free from the influence OF rail-
road corporations, and from that OF deina-
gogues who seek to create hostility to rail-
road interests in order to obtain some perso-
nal advantage. We should never forget the
vast benefits Vermont has derived from her
railroads. 1t has been we'll said TINT d" We
have no means of forming IL correct estimate
of how much has been added to the wealth,
comfort, prosperity, and power OF our state
by the construction and operation OF our
great railroad system. by the facilities they
have furnished Tor travel and transportation,
by the markets they have opened, and by the
value they have given to other property;
But when complaints arise that the people
are not afforded the oalDe facilities in freight
and passage that are extended to other COM
munties by the same lines that discrimin-
atoms III freight rates are made between per-
sons and places that rebates and special
contracts are allowed to some and denied to
others that unjust combinations exist
whereby consumers are obliged to pay more
than n fair price for articles i'll common use
that large numbers travel without pay there
by increasing the price paid by others that
the farmers of the West can place their pro-
duets in tine Boston market AS cheaply Ms
can the farmers OF Vermont that our small
villages are becoming undesirable places of
residence and business for the reason that
they cannot be reached or left by through
trains that manufacturers ure deferred from
locating in tho State, by reason of uncertain
and high rates Of freight it manifestiy be-
comes proper topic for Legislative consider
alton.
The power OF the State to regulate and
control railroad corporations and protect the
Interests OF the people will not be denied.
The late Hon. George Z. Marsh, who was
our second railroad commissioner, says in
| l. .l.r.s mad.
tertains no doubt of tho legal power OF the
in all respects to such general regulations as
the public moral and material interests may
demand" But this power should be used
| with caution, Customs in force and long,
established i'll this and adjoining States can
not be suddenly changed here while still in
force elsewhere without great detriment to
our railroads. Some of the evils complained
of can and should be reRedied by State le'
gisation, but we should stop short of enact
ing laws hamperng our railroads. SO as un'
necessarily to impair their prosperity oil
their power to compete with lines in othe
| State.
Vermont is fortunate in having her rail
roads operated by her own citizens, men o
lihcraity and public spirit deeply ntereste,
in whatever relates to the prosperity and wei
fare of the State. 1t is q general belief tina
they are conducted with spirit Of courtes,
and accommodation, that every cXcrtiOn
| made by their managers to please and satisf
the people in all their gatherings Vt fairs an
public meetings 1t is highly desirable tina
this state of things should continue Noclas
controversy should arise between those VIII
are mutually Interested and dependent upo
each other.
Realizing that it was impossible to fran
u law to meet all requirments, Mr.. Marsh. /
the same report to which have referred
says: the proper remedy
the creation of board to which, under PROF
Ter restrictions, the general controlling powt
OF the State over the management of rairoa
companies shall be delegated" Should til
over of the State be so vested have II
doubt that every cause ai misundel
standing within the State would h
adjusted in and honorable and amicabl
manner. But no board or Legislator
can reach outside the State, and much tina
is wrong in these matters is the result of tn
great National and continental system, COZ
trollcd by immense and consolidated wealth
y system in which Vermont roads are as
drop in bucket, n link in Il chain. II is
power So great that small corporations Xix
those 10 Vermont are forced to Join an
strengthen it, or perish, We can, howeve
initiating the example of many other Stat
Legislatures give such expression TO OF
views ms shall arouse our State delegation
Congress to assist the National movemel
for the regulation of Interstate commerce,
the power to do which was vested in Con
grcss by the founders of our National const
| tuition. The propriety of expressing to II
State delegation in Congress your wishes q
any subject has often been recognized by Il
4 | upiipp nj ,auiS1ntlrag notably in ii
stances. when the welfare and material inte
: csts of the State were threatened by eifor
to secure the renewal OF the reciprocity tire
: ~ with Canada,
4 General Condition Ofthc state.
, The census of 1880 again shows that OF
rural population aud wealth are decreasing
while our villages and cities gain only u hit
j more than enough TO compensate for the 10
in the country towns, The reduction of o,
representation in Congress also forcibly r
| minds MS that our beloved State is not kec
I ing pace with others in material prospect
and development. This fac, should eau
/; every thoughtful and patriotic citizen ear
j estly to consider and study its causes and
| strive 10 remove them if possible.
Have complaints as to railroad monag
e ment, elsewhere mentioned, deferred capt.
7 from enteIing the State? Are our laws in I
gard to manufactures, quarIes and min
: such as to induce investments therenY
: it worth while To try to attract within o.
G limits portion of that vast stream of pop
y lation which is pouring into this countr,
u These are most pertinent inquiries at til
i time
The scarcity of labor through the State
+ well known Many, who few years sin
d were day-laboreIs, are now landowners al
n employers respectable, honest, law abidi
/. citizens. suggest that you consider t
proprcty of making the Quartcrmaster &c
o eral or other State officer, the medium
i communication between the commissions
l. Of immigration at New York and Boston, a
+ suchof our citizens as desire to provide su