Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-23

them, while il has been of invaluable adysn-
tsge to the grain-growers OF the Sta:e. By
means Of a most mischiev9us discriminate ion
a Cincinnati or Louisville miller could ship
a barrel OF -four 10 Charleston, S. c., directly
through Atlanta, 1881 miles, for thirty cents
a barrel, while if an Atlanta miller shipped
the 800 pounds of wheat necessary 10 make
a barrel of -four from either OF those ciliep,
he had 10 pay nine: y-three cents to Atlanta,
474 miles. After grinding this he had 10 pay
81 20 barrel to send the -four on to Chsrlet-
ton, 200 miles, making 3 13 barrel against
the thirty cent? paid by the Cincinnati or
Louisville miller, going over the same roads
the same distance, which was 81 So against
the Georgia miller. The latter was required
to ship carload to get even this rate; the
Western miller could send ss few barrels,
from enc upward, as suited him. Here was
a discrimination fatty against the home
grower and the hOI.ae grinder. The freight
committee of the Memphis Cotton Exchange
have had cases as bad as this
before them. They have no remedy,
but The Georgian has. The injured
millers applied to the commissioners who,
after hearing what both they and the rail.
way people had 10 say, Issued their decision,
laying down the highest freight prices that
could be charged, which were much more lib
eral to the railroad than their own charges
to the Western millers. while it was satisfac-
tory TO the home interest. The rates on rice
were found to be unjustly high, and the COM
missioners, on investigating the facts, low
cred il. Where there was extortIon, dis
elimination, or other wrong. the commission
ers heard complaints and replies, and en-
forced just charges, and this with no disad-
vantsge to the railroads. The experience of
the commissioners shows that the revenues
of the railroads in the State were not d.
minished by such regulstive interference, or
by the reductions they enforced in passenger
rates. Travel increased and revenues with
it, three cents mile for passengers paid
good profit; sawyers of lumber
were also relieved from extortionate
rates, and Georgia lumber now reaches
places from which unjust freight rates had
excluded it in favor of lumber coming over
the Louisville and Nashville road. The
rates put forth by the commissioners are
framed so as to secure the right of every m an
in the State TO select his own market, either
home or foreign, in which to purchase his
supplies or sell products without obstruction
on the part of transportation companies,
either in the form of unreasonable or unjust
rates, and arbitrary rules or by COM
binations or agreements, expressed or
implied, tetween such companies. Such
is the commissioners own statement
of the objects they have had in view,
and have not our business people in Tennes-
see need for a power that will accomplish
precisely those results? With the example
of Georgia before them, there can be no
doubt as 10 what must be done to procure a
means of applying remedy for not few
arbitrary and vexatious evils. In the Georgia
system there is tried and proved way of
proceeding in legislation, and an effectual
example of the sort of machinery by which
that legislation may be made effeclual in
wrongs and regulating oppressive
proceedings. And how has the railway COM
mlSelOu bys.cm HOIkeu as TtSdTus the pros
perity of the railroads? for it must not be
forgotten tina: while the people are resolved
to exact justics from the railroads, that JUS
tice must be dealt out with equal hand 10
the railroads also. This is the commission
ers' reply 10 the question: Gall predictions
that the action of the Railway Commission
of Georgia would paralyzs the railroad in
terests of the country have failed. An expe-
rience of three years of the practical opera
tions OF railroads in this State, under the
supervision of the law, has for that period
shown largely increased revenues to the
railroads, larger dividends to the stock
holders, higher prices for railroad
shares, greater volume of business, largely
stimulated travel, greatly increased tendency
10 invest capital in our State, more miles of
built aud building in Georgia, and
of corresponding benefits to the public
generally, and the railroad authorities and
the people are on better terms with each
other than ever before, during a similar Pc
riod in our history" With such a state
ment before them, one that the railroads
would quickly contradict if it were not true,
can any business man, any citizen who occa-
sioually travels. or any lover of justice and
fair dealing hesitate as to what should be
done when next the Legislature of Tonnes
see meets in Nashville?