Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-21
MEMPHIS APPEAL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 81, 1889
THE PEoPL,,s CHAmPIoN.

Col. Josiah Patterson ia battling manfully
and with great ability for his bill appoint
ing a railroad commission. He is ore Of
the most sdroi, intrepid and intellectual
members Of the House. Having sprung
from the people, he understands their wants
and is in full sympathy with them. Col.
PAtIerson's kind heart, ardent friendships
and vigorous intellect have made him one
of the most popular and conspicuous men,
not only in the Legislature, but in Tennes-
see. It ia said that Col. Patterson's bill
will be defeated in The Senate, not because
OF any opposition 10 a railroad commission,
but becau.e Of some Objectionable features in
Col. Patlerson's bill. In other words, there
is growing disposition to administer sooth-
ing syrups as a cure TO this cancer on the
breast OF the people. But in the end it will
b. discovered that opiates can never be made
= sovereign remedy TO cure the disease. The
question Of railroad Determinations is now
before the Legislatures of New York and
Pennsylvania, and The remedies proposed are
similar to those proposed by Col. Patterson
in his bill. The value OF railroad commits
sion to the public has just been illustrated
by case submitted to the New York Rail-
road Commission. The Utica and Black
r yer railroad has been in the habit OF
charging different rates for carrying passen-
gers on different parts of its line. For in
stance, from Utica to WATERFOWL, a Compel
ing point Of the Rome, WATERFOWL and
Ogdensburg railroad, distance Of ninety
two miles, it has charged 81 so, or 272
cents per mile. From Utica to Carthage, a
distance of eighteen miles lees than to
WATERFOWL, the regular rate of fare has
been three cents per mile. From Utica to
several stations between that city and
WATERFOWL the fare has been more
than to WATERFOWL. This discrimina-
ton in local rates has been pro-
duclive Of much complaint and ill-feeIiug
toward the Utica and Black River railroad
along the line of road between Utica and
Carthage and upon the part of the public
travelling on this portion of the rosd. After
full investigation of all the circumstances
attending the operation Of the road and the
earnings of the same, the commissioners
have recommended uhItOrm rate oil three
cents per mile, and the bill now pending 10
the Legislature for the purpose will un.
doubleday pass. This single act will Effect
saving to the people of the State of more
than the entire cost of the compassion for
year aud without injustice to the railroad
Company. We do not regsrd Col Patterson's
bill As being extreme. On the contrary, it is
conservative, just to the people and The rail-
roads. They are common carriers. Though
owned by individuals or corporations, they
were nevertheless constructed for public
uses, and in a qualified sense are public
highways. Hence everybody constituting a
part of the public, for whose benefit they
were chartered, is entitled to an equal and
impartial participation in the use OF all the
facilities afforded by the roads. The owner
ship is in trust as we'll for tine public as for
the shareholders. But the stockholders have
no right TO make unreasonable and unjust
determinations which ipjure one commune
ty for the benefit of another. TO prevent
this Injustice is the object of Col. PAtterson's
DILL, and we hope it will become the law.