Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-02-03
RGiiroa0 Legislation.

-- Jackson Tribune and sun.
There are several bills before the
legislature to regulate freigh
charges upon the railroads within
the State. We have not read any
of the bills, but we would enter I
word of caution in the premises
There is not more important ques
ton pending in the general assem-
bly,. There is need for reform
Unjust determinations certainly
exist. Rates are as rule so high
on local freights that exchange be-
tween counties, cities and towns
within the State is crippled or utter
ly barred. There is no, doubt but
what the policy of favoring through
freights has been run to an extreme
which unduly taxes local traffic
Competition on through business is
the excuse, but il is not a wise poll
cy. There should be and there is a
medium ground. The best interest
of the roads as well as of the people
demand that this medium ground
be found and firmly established.
The roads are interested in the de-
velOpnent of. all the industries ot
the State, As carriers they want
an active and progressing business
all along their lines. The more
producers the more products, the
more manufacturing, the greater
the volume of local business, the
greater. the income Of the roads.
It is therefore the interest of the
roads to encourage all these things.
Fo help bring in industrious peo-
pie, to foster local manufactures, tO
encourage all industries that con-
tribute to their carrying trade. But
they have overlooked this impor-
tant interest too much in the fierce
ness of competition for business
from and to great centres and be-
tween the seaports of the country.
Hence they need regulative legis-
ktIon which is at once just and lib
eral. Such legislation will arouse
them to the Importance of Interests
TOO long overlooked.
z On the other hand, there must
not be over neddling. The railroad
interest of the State must not be
crippled. The railroad business
must not be made Improbable. The
building of new lines must not be
discouraged :.
What is wanted is just and liberal
legislation. Legislation that is con-
ceived in a broad spirit. Legisla-
tion that aims at the fostering ofatll
the interests involved. There must
be no trampling upon vested rights.
No revengeful assaults upon neces-
sary institutions. No policy that
will entail costly law suits. Such
legislation would react most hurt
fully upon the State and make en-
emies of powerful corporations that
should be friendly, and that ought
to work with the people in the de-
velopment of the industries and
the prosperity of the State. s
All legislation on the subject will
be in measure experimental. The
question is new one and it is full
of complication. 1t is by no means
certain that States can deal with it
But few States are
trying it and Tennessee should
study their efforts and policies. Let
every possible light be brought TO
bear upon the subject and let us
above all be cautious. 1t were bet
ter not to go far enough than to go
too far. There is always peril in
over doing things, and in matter
so vital caution is imperative.
Again, in taxing the railroads
there should be wise foresight and
a broad liberality. We must not
tax them so as to drive their ma
chine shops oat of the State, must
not tax them so as to stop their inn
We must not drive
them to other States to erect per-
improvements which bring
people among ustO live.
They should bear just portion of
the burdens of government, but all
vested rights and chartered privi-
Ieges should be faithfully guarded.
We want our railroads to prosper,
we want many new roads, we need
and must always need their power
iul agency in the development of
the State. e.s.g a..
Hence il is that we enter eau
tiOn and urge our law makers to be
DTOdu anu IlDcrttI dS well uS just. n
ust policy will not be opposed by
the roads and wise legislation will
work good to all.concerned.
A YOUNG man who is his own
Iather, thus explains through the
press 81 married widow who hi d
. grown-up daughter. My father
visited our house very often, fell in
love with my daughter and mar
ried her. So my father became my
son-in-law, and my step-daughter
my mother, because she married
my father. Some time afterWard
my wife had a son. He is my IA
.her's brether-in-law and my uncle,
'or he is the brother of my step
mother. My fathers wife. namely,
my step-mother, had a son. He is
my brother, and, at the same time,
my grandchild, for he is the son of
my daughter. Ny wife is my
grand mother, because she is my
mother. j am my wife's
husband amt grandchiId at the same
:. :. Il ILL.,