The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1882-11-09
THE RAILROAD QUESTION.

The Southern railroads have been pro.
verbal for their high charges and poor
accommodations. In recent yenrB there
has been considerable improvement in
both these respects, but not near SO much
as there ought to have been, with the
enormous business which they have re-
cciyed from the people. They have in
our country, owing to the cotton mania,
which has such strong possession Of our
planters, not only hauling in one direc.
tion, but they have it also each way.
They bring us from without the State
four. fifths Of our food, and nine tcnths Of
our clothes, and then they have our cot.
ton TO market for us, thereby making on
both sides Of the account. There has
been serious complaint against these cor
porations, much Of which no doubt WIS
not veil founded, but il was SO general
that the Legislature undertook last year
to gently remind these corporations in
South Carolina that they must mend
their ways, and to this end passed very
mild nc! for the regulation of common
carriers. II seems, however, that this
action Of our Legislature has been con
slrmed by these gentlemen to he an ex-
l,austion of the power Of Legislation, and
& license to renew more vigorously their
oppression OF the public In keeping
with this conclusion, they have, in the
very first season after this legislation,
greatly raised their freight charges with.
out any excuse therefor, except that the
people had made better crop, and hence
would have more of it, and could there.
fore spare larger sum to the greed OF
these corporations. It is therefore plain
that these self constituted task. masters
who live in other States, regard the peo'
pie of South Carolina az their servants
They allow us to have living, but il Q
boun.iful Providence improves our crop;
and s::ereby increases our incomes, these
our would-be masters, como in and say
you must share this bounty Of Pfovi
d1nce with me by paying isrgcr rate
for my help. 1t is time, high time
for the people of this State to show
these corporations that we are the mas
ters, and not their servants. 1t il III,
;!u:y Gf the Legislature to enHct rail
road law for this State similar to that il
force in Georgia, and then TO select thre,
of the ablest, the purest and the shrcwd
est men in the State to execute the law
Freights and passenger rates should b
reduced, and fair and equitable seal
adopted. We do not want to hurt III
railroads. Very far from it. We wan
those now built to prosper, and Others t.
be completed at an early day. but W
cannot afford to see them become tn
sovereigns Of the State. They must b
made to keep their places, and use tn
powers given them by the State for th
benefit Of the State. AS now operate,
they are fast rendering the people o
South Carolina hewers of wood ant
drawers Of water for the Northern cities
and for the Northern capitalists. This i
what we want terminated, and it's termi
nation will give additional prosperity t
the people, and in the long run will ben
eft the railroad system nf the State
There will be no more important subject
before the Legislature than the remodel
ling of the railroad bill, and our peopl
should watch closely the record of ever,
member of that body on this subject
Public opinion. properly exer!ed, will e!!
sure the passage Of good railroad la7
for this State.