The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-04-18
Railroad EcOnOmy-NO. 8.

sH iiiue' oe Iecouped from shippers
IN the rate of freight with the unjust
determinations that are not unfreouent-
~ allowed, have excited among the, peo-
pie against these so-called unscrupulous
and monopolizing corporations" feel
ing Of hostility, and it is no cause for
surprise that, believing themselves out
ragged, they should resort to retaliatory
measures. Wrong begets wrong. The
people have made in many instances i'll
founded complaints and unjust demands,
and when these were notacceded to have
resortcd to threats and sometimes secret
violence. Their Representatives in the
Legislature have been appealed to, and
in many eases they have threatened; !;
hostile legislation has been the result.
This feeling is not confined to our
own State but exists throughout the
country, and is agitating our State and
National Councils. This state Of things
is adverse to the interests of the roads
as well as the public.
The great motor for the unexampIed
progress of this most progressive age is
the railroad. Without it we must not
only stop in our onward march, but
must fall behind in the great race for
improvement, and this threatened cir
repressible contest" should cease The
roads have constitutional and chartered
rights which must be respected, for they
cannot be successfully operated without
the protection Of the sovereign power of
the State on the one hand, and the hear
ty cooperation Of the people through
whose territory they operate, on the
other.
The people also have rights and they
must be respected. The Supreme Court
of the United States have said that
"miere a party iarests his capital in an en-
terprisc IN echich the public has an interest,
yields 70 the public The right Of control
to the extent Of that interest"
The roads are dependent upon the
prosperity of the people for their rev.
enue, and the people are to a great ex-
tent dependent upon the roads for that
prosperity. There is a mutuality Of in
terest and there should be in feeling.
To accomplish this, thoughtful men sug-
gested the appointment of Board of
Railroad Commissioners having
no personal interest should represent
the people. The plan has been adopted
in majority of the States and so far
as | know, has worked successfully
and to the satisfaction of all parties
but when proposed in our State it is OBJ
jected to by some ultra railroad men,
who regard the movement as hostile to
their interests. In this they are mistak-
en-. The intelligence Of our people not
only is not opposed to railroads, but on
the contrary desire them and feel that
our prosperity to a great extent depends
upon them-but they desire to feel that
their interest is represented, and that
they will be protected not only from
unnecessary and extravagant rates, but
unfair and unjust determinations. The
advantage of an intelligent Board OF
Commissioners G to the roads themselves
can hardly be over-estimated, for while
they represent the people, they stand
between the people and the corporations
Railroads should desire such Board:
1st. Because it creates third party
which stands between them and the peo
pie, and protects them from unreasona-
BILE complaints.
ID. Because through this third party
they will learn the real wants of the peo
pie and be the better able to serve the
people and benefit themselves.
3D.. Because it gives them the benefit
of the judgment of disinterested par
ties in relation to the conduct of their
business-the inequalities and conse
quent injustice Of their tariffs, which
can certainly do them no harm and may
be Of great service.
4th. Because it protects them from
unreasonable litigation by designing anC
unscrupulous men.
9th. Because it protects them from
''hostile legislation" as the Legislature
would not be likely to pass laws con
trary to the recommendation Of th'
Commissioners.
9Th. Because through this Commis
sion, they viii be likely to hear Of an!
wrong-doing by their employees AM
thus be able to protect themselves fron
greater wrong.
7th. Because it enables them to SO cor
duct their business as to harmonize Al
conflicting interests and thereby secur
the desired success.
Away then with the idea that a Boar
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