Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-12-16
RAnSoAD LEGISLATION.

Much is now being said by the
press throughout the State on the
subject of railroad legislation by the
incoming Legislature. 1t is right
and proper that question of so
much Importance and which un-
questionably demands prompt, wise
and impartial legislation, should be
openly and forcibly discussed before
the people, and, if possible, that an
intelligent and satisfactory solution
of the vexed question be arrived at
by our lawmakers. This is what
should be done and done without
delay. And if, as it is claimed, the
railroads are now failing to bear
their fair and just proportion of
the burden of taxation and
are guilty of unjust, unequal
and unfair determinations in
the matter of freights, we sincerely
hope the next Legislature will so
shape its legislation on the subject
50 as to fully and effectively regulate
these abuses and force all such cor.
porations to assume their rightful
proportion of the burdens of gov
eminent.
But while we are heartily in favor
of all proper and healthy legislation
on this subject, we cannot help but
fear, judging from the tone and ten
or of certain papers in the State,
that there will be an influence
brought to bear on the Legislature,
an influence that is unfortunately
upheld and backed by groundless
but too general popular prejudice,
which will be calculated to make
that body adopt an oppressive sys-
tenn of legislation. Such a step
would unquestionably be greatly
Injurious to the vital interests and
the general prosperity and advance
ment of the State. No prejudice or
bitterness should be allowed to en-
ter into any law-making bearing so
directly on the best interests and
greatest enterprises of the State.
The whole question should be taken
under the most intelligent, unprej-
udiced and careful consideration.
Nothing should be done without a
thorough study of the question and
the most mature deliberation. No
popular cry or past prejudice against
railroads or railroad men should
enter its legislation on the subject.
If the common good demands the
regulation of taxes and ireights on
our railroads, the common good
equally demands that nothing rash,
or which would tend to injure any
interest of the State by clOgging its
industries and retarding develop
ment, should be done. The State
OF Tennessee cannot afford to enter
tain the slightest hostile feelings
against railroads or any internal
and it is greatly to
be deplOred that there is seeming
tendency to such a spirit among
any of its citizens or public journals.
Let it be once understood that the
Legislature entertains no feeling of
or prejudiees against
these corporations and we venture
the assertion that they will never
resist just and fair regulation of
taxes and freights. We are glad to
see that many of the best and most
influential county papers in the
State are also with us in deprecat-
ing any tendency toward Cypress
i've measures. That staunch old
journal, the Jackson Tribune and
Sun, speaking in its usual sensible
way on the same subject, says:
There is no occasion for embitter-
ing the public mind on this subject.
On the contrary it is unwise to ex-
cite hostile sentiments against great
and vital interests which are essen
tiaI to our present and future pros
perity.
Let the Legislature approach the
subject of taxing the railroad prop
erty of the State in the spirit Of JUS
tice and with a view to the largest
public good. There must be no OPP
preston. There must be no Grip
pling. There must be no check put
upon railroad development. Ten
nessee needs as many miles of rail-
road as she now enjoys. Therefore
no policy that will make railroading
and railroad construc
ton uninviting, will be to the in
est of Tennessee.
If the Legislature deals with the
question by the light of intelligent
and in the broadest sense
of public interest, there will be no
trouble, but on the other hand act
ion that will be just to all the inter-
ests involved.