Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-07-05
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION.

We publish this week, for which we are
indebted to the Ne,os and Courier, the report
of the Railroad Commission of this State,
making certain recommendations for tariff
of freight rates on the railroads in South
Carolina. This report affects all our people.
1t is of as much Importance to the farmer or
mechanic as to the merchant, and the paper
containing it should be preserved for future
reference The intimation is given out that
these rates will be disregarded by the rail-
roads, until they are compelled by judicial
proceedings to obey them, the reason given
therefor being that the law creating the
Commission is unconstitutional. But as
similar laws have been sustained by the
highest judicial tribunals of other States, it
is not probable that it will be set aside by
the Supreme Court of South Carolina. AS
showing the arbitrary powers Of the railroad
commission of the State of Georgia, and in
dicating the tendency Of the commission to
take control of details, itmay be stated that
only last week the commission of that State
issued acircular by which it is ordered "that
each railroad company in Georgia, at each
freight station, shall provide, on or before
September, ample and suitable depot or shed
room for the reception and protection from
damage by weather ofanymerchandise of that
may be offered for immediate shipment over
their respective routes. Where depot room
is not now sufficient for this purpose the
erection of suitable sheds is ordered, to be
properly tloored, rooted and enclosed on the
Sides" This order is peremptory, and is
regarded by many railroad managers as ty-
rannical, but the commission is firm and the
people approve its action. Commenting up
on the report Of the South Carolina Com
mission, the Ne,cs and Courier says edito-
rally:
This tariff is not, of course, a finality
The railroads will make their complaints
and recommendations, and there may be
some changes. There probably will be al
loWances made to the weaker lines. But
we are advised that this standard tariff is
not likely to be much changed. The Com
mission have taken a long time to do the
work, because they meant to do it thor
oughly, and having so done it, it is not their
purpose to change their conclusions without
excellent reason. The passenger rates are
greatly reduced, and this will be great
boon to the public, and will, tits hoped, soon
prove to be one to the railroads likewise.
Increased travel is sure to follow the reduc-
ton. The rates are the same as those estab-
lished in Georgia and are thought to be JUS
titled by the circumstances. 1t is even said
that one or two of our roads are so pleased
with the experiment Of low passenger rates
that they contemplate reducing their rates
to two and half cents mile. This is less
than the Commissions rate. Ofcourse roads
can charge, if they like, lower rates for pas
sengers and freights than these, which are
maximum rates only. The only limitation
is that they must not discriminate against
any person or locality in so doing. The
rules ordained by the Commission have, we
are sure, been framed with an earnest and
painstaking desire to be fair alike to the
Railroads and to the public. Time will be
the only proper and sufficient test ofthe de-
gree in which they are just and wise.