Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-15

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commission To regulate freights and tariffs SO as
70 prevent unequal discrimination, with such
powers shall protect the rights OF both tue Peo-
pie and the railroads.
1t will be seen from these revolutions that
both wings of the Democratic party have
pledged themselves in emphatic and unmis-
taxable language TO the creation of Rail-
road Commission TO REGULATE the tariffs |
charged by the railroads, 81 as to put an end |
to unjust and unequal determinations"
But strange 10 say, in the face of these |
sacred promises to the people, we find Bate |
Democrats and Russell men treating this |
question az if it were a new one, open 10 dis |
cussion. The people have already passed |
upon this guestiou. In tones OF thunder
they have pronounced their verdict, and
they will be equally as emphatic in condemn
alton Of those base enough to betray them.
From one end Of the Union to the other the
people have risen in their might and msjes-
~ to protect Themselves from the destructive
methods of the railroads. The gigantic
money power OF the railroads has not been
sufficient to purchase State Legisla-
lures, and most of the States Of this
Union have constructed bulwarks TO
protect the people from ruinous usurpa-
tions. The people of Tennessee demand
the same protection. They demand that
their behests be obeyed. Railroad commits
sious have worked satisfactorily in Alabama,
Georgia and South Caroline, and the people
Of Tennessee will derivs the same benefits
if freed from fragrant abuses. Complaints
come from all parts of the State of exhorbi-
tant and discriminating charges; that the
great highways OF the State, chartered by
the Legislature and originally built with the
money and for the uses Of the people OF Ten
nessee, are operated 10 benefit one locality
| at the expense of another, and 10 the injury
of certain material interests, TO enrich for
eign cities and stockholders. No man asks
determinations in his favor, but the people
do ask that they shall not be dig
eliminated against If the railroads
are disposed 10 act fairly, a commission
will not hurt them. The railroad power in
this country ia startling and tremendous, and
unless checked they will destroy and build
up cities aud communities just as their Gu
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heartless and as they are generally owned
by foreign capitalists, they care nothing for
those whose money, sweat and toll build
these roads. The men who sre asking
mercy for the poor, innocent railroad capl-
tali-ts can be more proftsbly employed in
asking juslice for the people. Too much
power should not be given The railroad com-
missioners. Bot, if necessary, power must
BE- fought with power. 1t is idle TO say that
the railroads of Tennessee commit no wrongs,
and that no legislation is needed The Bale
and RUSSELL platforms, from which we have
quoted above, attest that there are wrongs,
and that the people demand legislation for
their relief. The root of all the evils Of dis
| elimination will be found in the policy OF
railroad consultations. No difficulty OF the
kind now confronting us existed before the
war, because the railroads were run by the
people who built them and for whom they
were built. The policy of consolidation is
at the bottom Of all the trouble, and as the
railroads pass into the hands OF foreign
Capitalists, the greater will become the
necessity for railroad commissions. The
, American people live under dark end
threatening cloud of corporate monopoly
and corporate power. Five men in The
United States own s5O0,OOO0O0 and control
corporations worth sSO0,O0O,Ooo, or one.
eighth OF the entire wealth of the country
Nearly every day we hear of the CONSOLE.
dation OF railroad lines, These large
mouopolies, by agreement among them
, selves, can demand excessive trib-
E ute from the industry of the country
{ Indeed, the whole business Of the country
E is absolutely dependent upon them for trans
port ation They direct the currents OF trade
the entire internal commerce of the country
The people are struggling against the on
ward movement of the evils OF this stupen
3 dous system. To prevent unjust diversion o.
+ traffic 10 the injury of one city, one commu
nity for the benefit of others by unequal dis
/ elimination and excessive rates, has be
I come matter OF the deepest concern TO thu
f agricultural, commercial and manufacturing
/. interests OF Tennessee. The people cherish
}. no feeling of antagonism to railroads. They
: are the great civilizers of the age, develop
9 ing a new and higher life, and ar
9 a necessity 10 our industrial future.
4 commission would be better for III
a railroads and better for the people, a
8 both can be induced to work in harmony il
d tbs grand mission CT developing the re
e sources of the State. We hope the Demo
! Gratis of the Legislature will be true to thei
J. pledges 10 the people. Every Democrat ii
:, Tennessee is pledged 10 the support OF
). Railroad Commission, and the people VIII
Is are now busy in advising and warning tn
is Legislature will attend hereafter to the tss
d of censuring and condemnipg every membe
Ie who proves recreant TO hls trust.