Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1883-02-27

The bills introduced in the present
Legislature having in view the regulation
of freishts and fares on the railroads have
gone down under the influence of power
full interested opposition. There remains
a day or so yet. No one can tell what a
day may bring forth, but nearly every
body has an idea what a day in this mat
ter will not bring forth. The SENTINEL
has said more than once that no legisla-
ton regarding railroads may be looked for
this Winter, and as day after day of the
sixty days session has gone hopelessly by,
and the disposition of the Legislature has
been more fully revealed, its assurance OF
the disagreeab!e fact has grown stronger
hands the people have expected relief Of
this kind is Of no avail. 1t does not hurt
them, nor does it promote the popular
cause. Tie members of the Nevada
Legislature have msde their record pro
and con on this question. If anything is
to be learned therefrom it is a lesson for
the future. Let the dead past bury its
dead;'' but let the inscription on the head
stones of the present Legislature, in
scribed BY an indignant community,
be Sc. in words OF flame at the cleo
ton OF members to the Legislature
two years hence. There are men, and
they have been conspicuous in their
Roman-like frmness and spirit in even
this dying Legislature, that look upon a
pledge, whether formally expressed or
only implied, as q sacred obligation to be
fulfilled. What a glory for Nevada it
would be if in 1884 men of this character
only should be selected to represent the
people in the Legislaturel In them rest
the honor and salvation Of the State. Two
years hence the taxpayers of Nevada
should not stand aloof from political con-
ventions, thereby allowing Tom, Dick and
Harry to thrust themselves into legisla-
tive nominations. Responsible citizens of
the highest responsibility should be Sc
lecsed by those interested materially in the
welfare OF the State, and they should be
sent to the Legislature, though they may
be induced to stand for Office only at a
sacrifice of their own inclinations for the
benefit Of the commonwealth. Such men
as these whom the Office seeks and
who do not seek the office, and such alone
will bring legislation in Nevada up to a
wholesome and honorable standard. From
now on until the next election it is
the duty of the press Of the State TO
keep this serious matter before the public,
and when the time Of election comes, to
rouse the people TO a sense Of tie emergency.
LIE. there be two years Of rational agitation
on this profoundly important subject, and
the result expressed in the voice of a thor
oughly walked up and thankful people can
not fail to be splendid in elevating the
tone Of Nevada's next Legislature.
We have advices from Carson which in
dictate that we should not give up all hope
for the present Legislature, not absolutely
all hope. On Monday, we are informed,
Gov. Adams was to send a message to the
Senate especially calling the attention of
that body to the recognized fact that the
people expect some sort Of legislation on
railroad corporations during this session.
The people of Nevada will perceive in this
a well-founded purpose on the part of the
Executive Department to fulfil its duty to
the State. 1t is known pretty generally
also that a bill will shortly follow up the
Governors message by being introduced
to carry out specifically the general sug-
gestions Of the message. The bill will
provide that all railroads in the State
be reduced in their charges to SEVENTY PER
CENT OF "A THEIR SCHEDULE CHARGES
WERE on THE FIRST DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1888.
This will apply to all roads in the State
alike, and cannot be considered 'uncon-
stitutional," though it is likely that in
order to save the Battle Mountain and
Austin road, which is earning next to
nothing, there will be a saving clause in
serted in the bill. This clause will be IN
avoidable, and will also be likely to kill
the bill, for it gives rise to the much worn
plea and excuse of "unconstitutionality."
Whether anything will come out of this is
doubtful in the extreme. 1t is better not
TO look for immediate legislation, for then
there will be no disappointment. Relief
is in the future only.