The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-11
Southern States and Railroads.

The progress of railroad regulation !
in the south is both rapid and remark
able, and at the same time it is noise
less and without a jar. The success
ful example of Georgia is stimulating
other states. The legislature of South
Carolina has just passed very good
law, modelled on that of Georgia. The
Atlanta Constitution saws that the
condition OF the relations between the
people and railroads in South Caro-
lima is not greatly different from that
which existed in Georgia before the
establishment of her commission, and
thence infers that the operation OF law
will not he greatly different. The rail-
roads have not been injured by the
Georgia law, either directly or indi-
rectly. Their earnings have stead
lily increased, and travel has been
greatly augmented. Foreign capital
has not been driven away, but the
| contrary. Railroad development has
not been retarded. Therefore the
prevention of discrimination and the
reduction of rates have been clear
gam to the people. The Charleston
| News and Courier is so thoroughly
convince of the salubrity of such
| legislation that it considers it doubt
| ful whether any of those South
Carolina Legislators who voted against
| the law would have been nominated
had it been supposed that he would
| oppose the only measure of relief from
| railroad discrimination which was
before the legislature and promised to
prove OF advantage.
| The South Carolina law establishes
a commission OF the usual number
three. They are required to inveSti-
road companies, to ascertain whether
the regulations prescribed 10y them are
compiled with. They have full author
ity to examine ali railroad agents and
employees under oath. They are re-
| qulred to inspect and correct all con-
tracts between railroad companies do
ing business in the state as to rates
and charges for freight and passenger
tariffs, which the railroads are re-
qulred to submit to them. The conf
| peting railroads doing business i'll the
| state are required to submit to them
Tor inspection and approval every
arrangement and agreement what
ever regarding the division of
earnings of any kind, so far
as they affect the rates and
regulations made by the commission
ers to secure to all persons doing bust
ness with the said companies just and
reasonable rates of charges for freights
and passenger tariffs. Railroads are
not allowed to resort to rebate, draw
back, or other shift or evasion to hide
discrimination. If they violate any
provision OF the act, they will have to
pay double the damage sustained. The
court may grant preliminary or final
injunction without any allegation or
proof of damage to any plaintiff or
complainant. Any director, officer,
trustee, or agent OF any railroad may
he compelled to attend and testify.
In practice, it is found that such
severe and rigid regulation Of rail
roads, administered 10y commission
carefully chosen, enforces itself with
out effort or compulSiOn. Both rail
roads and people conform to the
schedules prepared by the commission,
and if injustice is found on either
side, the case is brought before the
commission and easily adjudicated.
An illustration has just occurred in
Alabama. John IL. ClISby IL Co., large
cotton buyers at Montgomery, bought
200 bales to be shipped over the
East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia
railroad to Norfolk for shipment to
Liverpool, HOO in November and 100
in December. The company suddenly
gave notice that it would not issue
any more through bills of lading, nor
receive cotton to be SO shipped, be-
cause block in its business prevented
it from getting the cotton to Norfolk
in time for the ship or line named in
the bill of lading, and it would conse-
Quently become liable for demurrage,
dead room on ship, advance on ocean
rates, etc. CliSby's Liverpool purchaS-
ers refused to permit the cotton to be
shipped through another port, and it
was left on hand, and insurance and
storage had to be paid. Clisby 81 Co.
complained to the railroad commits
sioners. They summoned the gen.
eral freight agent from Knox
Vile, who instantly came down, and
us soon as he had seen the dispositions
of witnesses, and talked the matter
over with the commissioners he agreed
that under all the circumstances the
company would give through bills OF
to Liverpool. 1t will be seen that this
was as complicated a case as is likely
to come before such commission
and yet it was settled at once without
judicial intervention. The same thing
will happen in all cases, as soon as q
commission gets fairly at work; but OF
course we do not mean that the deciS
ion will always be against the railroad
company. Unjust complaints against
the railroads are often made and nc
sensible commission will fail to reject
them.
Some Of the Texas municipalitie: