Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-10-13

tics bv the same lines that determinations In
freight rites arc upde between persons aud
places that rebates aud special contracts arc
nllowcd to some and denied to others that
unjust combinations exist whereby consumers
are Obliged TO pay more than iair price FOR
articles In common use thnt large numbers
travel without nay, thereby Increasing the
price paid by others that the farmers Of the
West can place thdr produce In Boston market
NJ cheaply as can the farmers OF vermont
that our small villages arc becoming undesirh'
bile places of residence and business, tor the
reason that they cannot be reached or len by
through trains that manufacturers are deter.
rcd from locating In the state, by reason OF
uncertain aud high rates ui freight ~ mimi
testify becomes proper topic FOR legislative
consideration.
The power OFT state 10 regulate and con.
troll railroad corporations and protect the In
tcrests Of the people VIII not be denied. The
late Hon. George =. Marsh, who was our sec
ond railroad commissioner snys In one Of his
reports "1he undersigned ontertains no doubt
of the legal power Of the Legislature 10 SUD
iect railroad corporations In AL respects To
10 such general regulations az the public NOR
al and material interests may demand" But
this power should be used with caution. Gus.
toms Ia force and long established ~ TINS hnl
adjoining states cannot he suddenly changed
here while stil in force elsewhere without
great dctrimcnt TO our railroads. Some of the
evils complained Of can and should be RENE.
died by State legislation but we should stop
short of cnncting laws humpcring our rail
roads, 50 as unnecessarily to impair their
prosperity or their power to compete with
lines in other states.
Vermont is fortunate W having her railroads
operated by hcrown citizens, men of lihertii-
IS aud public spirit, deeply Interested IN whit
ever relate to the prosperity and welfare OF
the state II ~ a general belief that they are
conducted with spirit Of courtesy and nc
commodation, that every eNcrtion i- made by
their managers Ia please and satisfy the POO
pie i'm all their gatherings NJ fairs and public
meetings. II Is highly desirable that this
state Of things should continue. No class con
.roversy should arise between those who are
mutually interested and dependent upon each
other.
Realizing that II was impossible TO frame "A
law to meet an requirements, Mr. Marsh, in
the same report to which ! have referred,
says the proper remedy IL the
| creation OF board TO which, under proper re
| Strictions, the general controlling power Of
| the state over the management of railroad
| compnnirs shall he delegated" should the
power of the state be so vested, have no
doubt that every cause Of misunderstanding
| within the state would he adjusted In am hon.
CRADLE and nmicahe manner. Hut no Board
J or Legislature can reach outside the state, and
much that Is wrong In these matters Is the re-
suit If the great national ana continental sys.
tenn, controlled by Immense ana consolidated
wealth, "A system in which Vermont roads are
as a drop in a bucket, IA link in chain. II is
| "A power so great that small corporations like
| those In Vermont are forced to join ana
strengthen il, or perish. We can, however,
Initiating the example Of many other state
Legislatures, give such expression to our
Views a. shall arouse our stale delegation In
! Congress to assist the national movement for
! the regulation of Interstate commerce, the
! mower 10 do vs. hitch WAS vested in Congress by
| The founders OF our national constitution.
| The proprie y of expressing TO the state dele
CATION ia Congress your wishes ON any sub
] ipct has often been recognized by tine action oi
Legislatures, notably ia two instances, when
! the welfare and material interests of the state
were threatened by efforts To secure the re
newHl Of the reciprocity treaty with Canada.
GENERAL CONDITION on THE STATE
The census Of ls,0 again shows that our ru
| raj population and wealth are decreasing
while our villages and cities gnin only a little
"a ne
| In the country towns The reduction of our
| representation In Congress also torcibly re-
minds us that our beloved state is not keep
! ing pace with others In material prosperity
and develOpcmcnt This fact should cause
| every thoughtful and patriotic citizen earn
] cstly TO consider and study its causes and "a
/ strive to remove them II possible.
Have complaints n to railroad Manage
! mcnt, elsewhere mentioned deferred capital
/ rom entering the tntes Are our laws in re
gard to manufactures, quurries and mines
] such rs to induce investments therein: l. il
| worth while 30 try to attract within our limits
| portion Of thut vast stream OF population
| which Is pouring into this country These
| art most pertinent inquiries AZ this time.
! The scarcity Of labor through the state f.
well known. Many. who "a few years since
! were dnylubOrs, are now land owner,
! ana employers, respectable, honest ana law
! abiding ciuzcns. 1 suggest that you consider
! the prppricty of making the Quartcrmustci
! General, or other state, the medium Of com
| lnunicnuun between the commissioners o
| Immigration AT New ! Ork and Boston, and
| such of our citizens rs desire to provide suit
] able homes and occupations for deserving
| and industrious persons arriving ~ those
| ports seeking for work.
! Gentlemen You are here by the recent
! voice Of the people to deal with many impur
! tant legislative and conStitui iunm questions
! and although most OF you are new to the du
! ties of your respective positions, am conf
! dent that your acts Will be consistent " in
| the simplicity OF our form OF government and
| that they WIN cvince the highest regard fuI
! the welfare of the state.
am deeply sensible Of my own ineNpcri
| cnce and deficiencies, and shall need your kin,
| fprbcarunce IN our mutual efiort TO bencnt Ia,
| state.
JOHN l.. BARSTOw.