The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-04-23
yyr NIvJONIL BItLUtAy.

l
pauy to build railway between Washing
ton and New York. The bill gives to tho
corporation it creates every power it could
possibly need. that is in the power Of Con
gress to grant, or to assume to grant. For
example, it empowers the company "to
buy and sell property, real and PERSONAL
to institute proceedings in United States
Circuit Courts to condemn lands which the |
owners may refuse to sell, and Confcrs on |
United States Circuit Courts and the Su.
respective jurisdictions, complete "juris.
" diction to summarly determine the amount |
+" of compensation or damages - TO which |
owners may be entitled for land appropri |
ated; 1t makes it the duty of these courts 10
appoint guardians or trustees on behalf of
owners disabled Ivy insanity, homage, or
otherwise, so that the condemnation pro-
ceedings may not be obstructed hy such
disability; it requires this national railroad,
whom the same is practicable to pass be-
"neath or above the tracks of railroads To
"be crossed" and it is authorized "to
lease, purchase, or connect with any exist
4" ing railroad" The bill further SAYS the
company
shall have the right TO transport It's passengers,
freight, and baggage the said Hudson River to
New York city In ferry boats Of Its own, may
tract with existing future lines of steam ferry boats
for that purpose, and may construct all necessary
dcpots piers, wharves, and other structures both at
the terminus Of Its road the right bank of said river
and ON the left bank In the city Of New York, but
shall not construct more than three landings and ship
ping dopots either side OF said river aud one OH
Governor Island; and the powers herein granted tn
said company to appropriate lands for the construc
cn and operation of Its railroad are hereby extended
so as Include the lands necessary for said depots
wlrves, piers, and other structures within the city
Of New York, and Jersey city, in the state of New
Jersey.
The bill also provides that the rate of taxa
tion of the lands owned by said company by
the States and municipalities through which
it is located " shall not exceed that of the
lands of like quantities not of like value1
" adjoining thereto" and also restricts the
taxation of its personal property.
Perhaps to guard against opposition from
rival railways, which now and then array
armed forces against each other, as the
feudal barons of old did, (two of them were
at war last week up i'll Pennsylvania y the
bill makes injuries TO the track, buildings,
or property of the National Railway Company
misdemeanor, punishable by fine of not
more than ten thousand dollars and impris-
onment of pot more than five years.
1t will easily be seen from these specimens
of its provisions that the charter which this
National Railway Company asks deserves
the earnest attention of the public and of
Congress. Holding as we do the radical
belief that the Government will sooner OF
later have to go far beyond what even this
bill contemplates, probably 10 the point o
taking over the railways and telegraphs ant
operating them by its own agents for tn
public good, there is nothing startling Il
the idea of granting proper railway charter
We rather welcome the opportunity as on
opening a subject that cannot be opened to-
soon, and which will be likely to subserv
the public welfare Just in proportion to tn
breadth and thoroughness of the preliminar,
discussion.
There are many incidental questions of til,
first magnitude involved in this bill. No re
striction whatever is imposed as to the loca
tion of the route. So far as Congress can gran
it, the bill grants this company the power tt
pass through Baltimore or Philadelphia, t.
condemn and appropriate any points mot nor,
than three, it may select on the water fronts
of Jersey City and New York, L" and one OF
Governors Island.' If we admit tn,
constitutional power of Congress to exercis
the right of eminent domain in this way, doe
not it seem that there should be some mod
of providing for its careful exercise with du
regard to other private and corporate rights
That such means can be provided does no
admit Of doubt. Then does not the claus
permitting this railway to lease, purchase
or connect with other lines open way fol
defeating the only purpose for which such
charter ought to be granted There is II
reason why Congress should put a weapol
in the hands of the Baltimore and Ohio Il
help it fight its battles with the Pennsyl
vania road, nor help Vanderbilt and tn
Reading to set up competition with road
reaching southwark. These great railway
may well be left to fight out their own bal
ties. But the hardship to which the trave
ing public are now subjected between tn
Capital and the North and East are such 2
demand a remedy, and an adequate remed
will be most welcome. What is wanted
an independent and really competitive lin,
and if the bill before Congress promises
secure this its progress will be regarded wit
friendly interest by all residents in an
travellers to and from the city of Washing
ton.
We understand that important aItori
tions are being made to this measure in con
mittee, and that when it comes before I'll
House it will be in such shape as to ayoi
many of the most obvious objections TO it /
its original form. We should like to see
in shape that would command hearty an
general support.
CnEGRFgg glOull not fail IN act IN thp gul