The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-02-01


Ma. SPEAKER: l took occasion when this
bill was first reported to the House, as bill
of the Railroad Committee, OF which | am a
member to state that was not present in the
committee when the bill was considered, and
was not therefore, committed to the report.
repeat ,i4is row SO that ! may not appear e
be inconsistent Ia my 0kpqstisaH TO TIE bill
| have listened, Mr.. spe2EeF. with attention
and interest to the discussion of this bill, and
especially to what has been said by the dis
ii nguished gentleman from Lauderdale, which,
[ confess almost though it has not quite, per-
suaded me, that it is wise or polite TO pass the
bill independent of some grave objections
10 some Of its sections. | live, Mr.. Speaker,
in part Of the State Ehere we have no rail-
roads-where we want RAILROADS. and are
doing all in our power TO get themI a
country, which, if this Legislature does not
impose unnecessary and burdensome restrIe-
tions on railroads-which If The Legislature is
wise and liberal in granting the charters
asked for, will, within the next two or three
wears be pSrmeated in every direction by
them, aud aM not eEtrayagant in my esti-
mate when | say that this seetioa Of The State
the Yazoo Delta, ii these proposed railroads
are built, as / hope and believe they will be,
will in ten years pay more taxes into the State
Treasury than is now paid by the whole State.
The bill, Mr.. Speaker asserts great print
eipln, and one in which | heartily eoheur.
The right of State Supervision OF
the great GOfD0r1lI0US crHAieu DY II
provided always that this supervision
be not IN sieiatieD of their chartered rights un-
der the Constitution Of the STATE or United
States. But do not propose now to discuss
the bill or to give my objections TO II in de-
tail For, such amendments as have been
proposed which have met my appreciation,
haze yetad for and | am assured other and
liberal amead win be proposed by the
friends OF the bill and which will Dc away
with some of the objections 10 II. For oil
such amendments | will vote in order il the
bill finally become a law-it may do as little
harm as possible. | shall therefore now
bFie9y eoBfine myself1o the amendment pend
ing, props led By myself TO have the Commits
sioners elected blythe peeple every two years
and to the amendment to The amendment
proposed by the gentleman from War
rem to make them elective by the
Legislature would have no objection, to an
amendment to my amendment which would
provide for the appointment or election of the
three frst' Commissioners 10 hold their office
to the next general election. Hnt The amend
ments proposed BY me, also Mr.. Speaker, as
serts great principle, principal dear to the
American people, from tine foundation of our
government, and that is the right of the peo-
pie to select their own agents 70 carry out
their will. AMI do not see how any gentle
man can vote against it, who believes in this
principle. | regard the Offices of Railroad
Commissioners as proposed By the bill, as USE
less, TOT Uettete tne 8fsat PrluciPie ei pphte
supervision over Railroads can be preserved
qy general laws II d il not already
sufficiently asserted in our statute. But
If we must have Commissioners let
them he elected by the people. The
same constituency WHICH sent rs here, which 1
elected our honored Governor and state cfsoers
are surely able TO select intelligently the Com
missioners who are to carry out the law-if the
bill becomes law Besides, Mr.. Speaker, the |
distinguished gentleman from Alcorn has de-
pirtedin glowing colors the troubles and vexa-
lions TO which the Executive Is now subjected,
In the scramble for the NEST dignifed Offices
in the State. OF this l know nothing, but il
nor from new swarm Of ONCE seekers, and
let them 90 where they ought 70 go. to The
people,
Inow. Mr.. SpaakeF. move te lay the alend-
ment offered BY the gentleman from Wsrren
on the table.