The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-01-25
"a reoslve lhe toIl and oharge.. J, =.

and receive the toll and charges AZ,
This merely makes it lawful -
pany to NIX the toll" or tariff ~ ~ con.
By no possible stretch Of construct;o Ssharges
this section te interpreted into M could
contract between the State and ths coaHalhga
BY which the state agrees thar the compir.y,
she'll have the exclusive right" M gPshy
the toll AAlhR
But suppose we concede the point th.,n
railroads all have vested right Ia u .Iese
own rates Of transportation; stiU ~ heir
may be controlled by legislation, prob;l sane
any discrimination in their rates Of cGo.ung
Saw that a maximum Of fifty per cent be 'siIge,
ed on all way freight over aud above thru,
freight, and no more and then prohihi, Eh
rebating OF through freights, for the NM. NE
of avoiding this provision, an1 make anv p5gse
eliminating charges actiOpable-,be ar. us
to be in the nature OF penalty recoves.t4qt
by law, at the suit of the jurrd parry sc
ly no man in his senses viii say .ai the IRE
islature representing the soverPpiv - s-
State, and from whom the railroad, rso, we
all their rights and franch's $, canno, r.'
hibit, by proper legislation, the abuse of Nv.
rights and franchises, by their using tbsro y
the injury of one portion OF the PEG 10 -.
in favor of another. So much, then for I ,tl
right of the Legislature to supervise the rae
of charges to be made by railroads
As to he duty o. the Legislature, ther. a..
be bat little room for discussion ANY ms.
who will take the pains TO examine the tar,s
of charges, on any of our railroads will e..
De convinced of the necessity Of such SIM,
vision. / cite a few instances You can M,
A bale of cotton from Meridian to Vicksbprs
GAO miles) for 81 So while the citizen Of -
wards Station (ouly Is miles from VicksburS
pays 81 80: or, the man at Meridian pavs.
fraction over one cent per mile while the man
a; Edwards pays ten cents per mile
A car load of meat NAV be shipped from \,
Louis to Mobile TO- $50 90, while to Meridh1
il costs Sl54 90.
Last year bale of cotton was shipped from
Newton Station to Meridian, distance Of 4;
miles; that same bale of cotton was shiDnsj
hence via New Orleans to Liverpool England
and the difference in the freight of the Nv,
shipments was less Than one dollar and fth
cents.
Ia never was contemplated or intended by
the Legislature that granted the charter
under which these railroads are operated
thar they should be so run, and operated, a.
TO Cypress the people, or any portion Of them;
aud it is the duty of the Legislature to See
that it is not done.
In advocating the right and the duty Of the
Legislature to supervise the railroads Of the
State, | do not wish TO be understood AZ
making war upon them. On the contrary, No
man has higher appreciation Of the value 10
the community, of well regulated system og
them, or impede their prosperity; [ think
such supervision would be advantageous 10
them.
The condition of the business of railroad
depends upon the condition of the country.
And have thought, with ali due Difference 10
the management of some Of our roads that
they have been guilty of the folly Of the man
who "killed the goose that laid the golden
egg" | could mention an instance, il which
a railroad company has diverted from its line
over twenty-five thousand bales OF cotton, and
from its principal city all the trade and travel
incident thereto by its exorbitant charges.
l conclude, therefore that the Legislature
has the constitutional power to supervise rail,
roads in their tariff charges; and that it is
the duty of the Legislature to do SO; and that
such supervision will not oaly be bene.
fetal to the country, but to the railroad CON-
panies themselves. l am gentlemen,
Your nbedient servant
W. II. HARDY.