The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-02-08
Superb sory Legislation-Its Trium-
plant Results for the Corporations
and the People in Illinois.


plant Results for the Corporations
and the People in Illinois.
Eleven years ago Illinois adopted SUI
pervisory Railroad Legislation. Since
that time, so rapidly have roads been
built in that State under the beneficial
efforts of the legislation, that she has
won the title of the RAILROAD STATE.
In special page dated February 18th
1879, Gov. Cullom Of Illinois recited the
causes and history of that legislation
and the "benefts oft Railroad Com
mission to the people of Illinois" His
message is interesting and is worthy
of study. 1t is simply lesson in the
school of actual and practical expert
ment. Speaking of the causes which
produced the supervisory legislation,
Gov. Cullom says that "competion did
not result according to public antieipa-
ton" 1t did not prevent overcharges
and determinations. The g corpora
e TONS" says the Governor, "discrimi-
" mated against persons and places
" Citizens protested against these abuses
i" in vain. The railroad corporations
when threatened with the power of
" the government, INDUCED in the Ian
" guage of defiance, and attempted to
" control legislation to their own adj
" vantage. :. They did not
" stop here. They believed the Courts
would be their refuge from the popu-
" lar fury" The result was the super
visory legislation of 1871. Then an ap-
peal was made to the Courts by the
corporations. The Courts sustained
the law. And what has followed? We
will let the Governor speak for him
self. He says:
ain 1871 the Railroad and Warehouse
Commission was established. Its creation
was resisted by both railroad corporations
and public warehousemen; after Its organi-
cation they treated il with little considera-
ton They refused to recognize its authori-
ty; but after the decision of the Supreme
Court of the United States, declaring the
doctrine that the Government may regulate
the conduct of its citizens to each other,
and, when necessary for the public good,
the manner in which each shall use his
own property, the railroad corporations and
public warehousemen began to grow less de-
termined in their opposition to the attempts
to control them, until at this time there
is very(1ittle opposition. They now give
prompt attention to the requests OF the
Commission for correction Of abuses called
TO its notice by their patrons; and thus the
Commissioners not only settle questions
arising between railroad corporations and
those who patronize them; but it may as
truthfully be said of this as of the English |
or the Massachusetts, Commission, that the
very fact of its existence has put an end to
many of the abuses formally practiced by
such corporations, and which were angrily |
complained of by the people. The Com
mission also, in some cases, has shown to |
eomplainants that the hardships complained
of were not the fault of the railroad COM
panies, but resulted in causes affecting the |
markets outside of railroad control and in
reference"
And in conclusion, Governor Cullom
says:
"Leaying out of view the benefit that
has resulted to the people by the mere fact
of the existence of the Board, which has
many abuses that would have
been committed save for its presence in the
State, it has been at work and useful. 1t
has adopted the policy of railroad exani-
nations with view to security of life, and,
in my Judgment, the authority of the
Commission ought to be enlarged SO as to
enable it to compel railroad companies to
improve their tracks and bridges, when, in
The judgement of the Commission, such
portions of railroads become unsafe. The
Railroad Commissioners act as arbitrators
between the railroad companies and their
and, in the Commissioners report,
they say they have succeeded in settling ,
most of the complaints made to them in
manner satisfactory to all the parties to the
In my judgment, if the
were dispensed with by the
difficulties would soon arise,
agitation would commence again, and con-
royersies would run riot. New legislation
would follow, another board of some kind ]
would soon be created, and the track We {
lave just passed over would be again trav- q
led by the peoples representatives. The {
Board should be sustained in the interest of .
II the people. Instead of its being de- !.
troyed, it should be strengthened. 1t
haIl4 have not only the authority with
which 1t is boH vested, but more
And mark you, this celebrated act of
he Illinois Legislature entitled Gan act
0 prevent extortion and discrimination t
n the rates charged for the transporta- t
ion Of passengers and freights on rail-
oads,' was passed elegsE years ago,
7hen the railroad system, in that State
Tas in its infancy. Since that time un-
CT the oper4tlons of the act, the sys-
EN- has grown and fourished and de- =
eloped into mighty agency of wealth, :
OF only to the corporations but to the 4
tate Don't tell us in the face of such a
lcts that supervisory legislation will is
npede railroad building. 3
FHE q Valuation Bill" offered by Col q
Larper and was defeated in the House G
rovides that where any pl oPerty, real !; +
: personal is seized under execution it So
lust first be Appraised by three disin- C
crested parties, and on day OF sale if v
vo-thirds of the value put upon it is ii,
ot bid, the sale is postponed for twelve g
onths. If the claim is not satisfied
fore the expiration of that time, then 4