The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-04-19

structiOns and hinderances to interstate
commerce growing out of unjust discrimi-
nations, special rates, and other practices
common to railroads. 1t should be the
further duty of said branch of said COM
mission to report annually at the beginning
of each regular session of Congress to that
body their proceedings in full, and recon-
mend to Congress such further legislation
upon the subject of railroads as in their
judgment and experience they may deem
necessary.
would have these commissioners nomi-
mated by the President to the Senate, TO be
confirmed or rejected by that body, and to
hold the offices during six years or good be-
havior. They should take an oath before
entering upon their duties to perform them
faithfully and impartially, and be subject
to removal by the President, with the con
sent of the Senate, for incompetency, nom
feasance or malfeasance in Office
The other branch of said commission l
would have to consist of five other persons,
to be appointed by the higher branch or
majority thereof, to hold their offices for six
years, unless sooner removed by a majority
of the appointing power, with an annual
salary each of $4,000 and actual travelling
expenses. Said second branch should con-
sist of one railroad expert, one experienced
merchant, one practical agriculturist, one
manufacturer, aud one miner, none of whom
should own stock or be connected with the
management of any railroad, except it might
be the railroad expert.
This branch of the commission should be
subject to the higher branch, and under it's
direction at all times either collectively or
individually; 90 to any required point,
make investigations, obtain information by
examination of witnesses, and from other
sources as may be prescribed by law; re-
ceive charges and counter-charges for and
against any railroad, and do and perform
any other service which said higher branch
may prescribe within the limits of its pow
ers and duties. And all acts and duties per-
formed, and all information obtained,
should be reported 10 said higher branch,
to be by it examined and actedup0n. And
any decision, order, or decree, or any action
taken by said higher branch should be bind
ing upon all parties, subject to the right of
appeal to courts of competent jurisdiction,
the party first appealing first entering into
bond with sufficient security to make good
the order decision, or decree of said COM
mission, should the same be affirmed.
OF course, Mr.. Speaker, | have only out
lined the organization, powers, and duties
of this commission, leaving Congress to
adjust the details should my views meet
with its approval. l am notso welded to my
own views as not to fall in with Others
shown to be more practicable and just.
1t may be asked, Why make one branch
of this commission to consist entirely of
lawyers? have thought this proper; first,
because nearly every case to be decided by
that tribunal will involve law points more
IN oh urhI
would have to be consulted before any just
conclusion could be arrived at, 1t is better,
therefore, to select such men as Judge Gas
ton, of Massachusetts, w. NJ. Evarts, of
New York, r. NJ. T. Hunter, of Virginia,
A. G. Thurman, of Ohio, and Judge Cooley, |
of Michigan, or others of like unimpeacha- |
Bile character and eminent abilities, to be
paid liberal salary and made to feel the |
responsibility of their positions and their
engagements to administer justice to all
parties rather than take the opinion and
advice of some feed attorney, whose opinion
would most probably be graduated to suit
the size of the fee, or to meet the views and
wishes of his client.
In the second place, such tribunal would
inspire all parties with confidence, both as
to its capacity and honesty, and any opinion
or decision made or delivered by it would
be more certain to give satisfaction and
secure acquiescence. The other branch of
the commission should represent the differ
ent leading interests of the country, that
all might have an equal opportunity OF
being heard from and receiving justice
Hence, would have that branch organized
as above indicated.
1t may be objected that the system is too |
expensive. But what does the outlay of
few thousand dollars amount to in compari-
son with the millions that must be saved to
the taxpayers of the country? Meager
salaries would be a mistake, from the fact
that these would not command the best
talents of the country for these positions, !
and would endanger the purity of the com
mission having to deal with rich and in
fUential corporations.
There is one other subject upon which |
wish to say few words, and about which |
wish to put myself upon record, and then
am done.
RAILROAD INTERFERENCE IN POLITICAL
ELECTIONS.
The testimony and admissions of Messrs.
Gould and Vanderbilt, heretofore quoted,
must have satisfied every reasonable mind
that some more stringent law guarding the
edged by them to have been practiced is
absolutely necessary. With the amount of
capital in their hands, according to their
statements, they seem to have found it an
easy matter to corrupt legislation in the
State and in Congress. Having knowledge
of these things, should we not employ all
the machinery and powers of the Govern
ment to stay this corruption and punish the
offenders?
Let it be generally understood that
members of State Legislatures and of Con-
gress are in the market as sheep in the
shambles, to be bought and sold by railroad
and other corporations, and what
becomes OF our boasted free institu
tions and advanced civilization? What
better is ours than the effete governments of
by-gone ages, of which nothing is left but
their painful histories, illustrating their fol-
lies and vices, and a few scattered remains
of their once opulent and luxurious cites?
Suffer these corruptions in our country to
go unpunished and unrebuked; let wealth
subordinate legislation to behests; let vice
triumph over virtue, and honesty and
morality be banished from our legislative
halls our court-rooms, our jury-boxes, and
how soon may it be written of us as one Of
Al, IJr aeJ