Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-27
THE RAILROAD QUESTION

The defeat Of Reagan's bill for the regu-
1ation OF interstate commerce by the Con.
. gress of the United States, will force the
several States TO take Independent action on
this question. II was made prominent is
sue in several States during the late cleo.
tions, and it is plain TO be seen that every
State will soon have railroad commission
whose duty it will be TO provide sgainst
ruinous and unjust determinations, and 10
check the tendency of the railroad monopo-
lies TO make the people showers of wood and
drawers of water" in aid of their cupidily.
They have called a halt in the exac-
tions and expressions of monopolies, and if
the railroads are wise they will submit
gracefully TO the inevitable. 1t is true
no State has any control of COM
merce beyond its own borders; but the
came law, passed by the several States,
might accomplish all that was proposed by
Reagan's bill. The problem of interstate
commerce can, it is believed, be solved
without the Intervention of Congress if
the States will pass the same bill,
with the same schedule of rates
With such cooperative, action, inter-
state commerce would be controlled as eff.
feciually as if regulated by the national gov
eminent. The Stale of Georgia recently
passed law organizing Board of Railroad
Commissioners, with power to prevent dis
examinations. ard it has revolutionized freight
and passenger carriage, and the people are
enjoying the benefits. The Atlanta Constitu-
tion says:
We have no doubt in our own minds that .Ai.
tion problem for when the people OF other states
nJ 1e,in ibe 5aona Tjtbont in1ur1nS
the railroads, and its operations being accom-
development ever known in the state~they viii
not hesitate to profit by the example. However
be, they all have an equal interest in the question
OF state regulation of railroad rates, and this
ton that has relieved the people Of Georgia from
unnecessary taxation and unjust Determinations.
Illinois or in New York; so that the naturai-we
will say acknowledgements of the establish
would be the solution Of the problem Of inter,
state transportation.
This was made a vital question in the
Legislature of South Carolips, now in session.
Three weeks ago a bill was introduced TO
appoint a railroad commission. The de-
bate on it was characterized by much bitter
ness and excitement, but great ability. The
friends of the bill had to contend
agsinst all the vast power of The railroads,
but it was passed by large majority.
The people triumphed. As this question
will occupy the attention of the Legislature
OF Tennessee, which convenss on Monday
next, We give in another column the
text of the bill which passed the South Caro-
lima Legislature on Saturday last, as fur
nished by the Charleston Ners and C6,s-
rig. We ask the members-elect TO the
Legislature 10 read the provisions of
this bill, as the people of this State demand
the passage of a similar bill. Georgis, the
Empire State of the South, and which has
more railroad facilities than any other
Southern State-Georgia, which has been
made great and prosperous by rail-
Eoads-lakes the lead in prevent
ing railroad Determinations, and in appoint
ing board of commissioners to do justice be-
tween the people and the railroads, and the
other Southern States will follow the exam
pie, especially since i: is known that the
law has benefited the people. Everywhere
they are complaining of exorbitant and
discriminating charges by the railroads. 1t
is shown that these great highways, char
tered by the Legislatures, and built with
the money Of the Taxpayers for the use