The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1883-08-02

attempt to fix arbitrarily rates which
are below the cost Of the service, or
which would not leave a fair profit
to the owners, would he in effect an
appropriation of the private property
of some to the use of others, and
would unsettle the foundation
upon which rests that security
OF private rights essential to any
progress, and even TO lib
erty itself In fixing q standard for
Railroad charges, it should not he
forgotten that we are unable to fix
the amount of the cost to Railroads
of the work To he done; nor can we
fix the compensation of their agents,
officers, employees, nor the price OF
fuel, iron, cross ties, cars, or any
thing else which they use.
IL should also he remembered that
inconsiderate or unjust legislation
will almost certainly end in injury
To the State, and give impetus and
strength TO the sentiment that the
subject Of railroad supervision, if not
hey oud the power, is at least beyond
the competency of the State to man
age wisely and well. Any regula-
ton Whatever will be resisted Ivy the
Railroad companies. Every advan
tage will be taken OF oversight in the
law, and this tendency will be in
creased il the scheme be liable to the
charge of injustice do not expect
that law even tolerably perfect can
be framed at once. Our duty will
be to adopt just and fair principle
as the basis OF the law, to frame the
details with care and prudence, and
then to amend and change it as
time and experience shall demon
strate its defects. The State has an
undoubted power over internal com
merce, as We have seen. The power
may be made to operate indirectly
but efectualIy on Interstate traffic
if properly used. The State cannot
be dlso iged from her strong posi-
ton. Let it be understood that she
means with care and patience and
firmness to proceed with the work
in spirit OF justice and fairness,
and her position will be impregna-
bic. Let there be as little inter
krence as possible with the proprie-
tary rights of the owners OF Rail-
roads, and as little infringement on
their management Of their own pro-
perty. The object should be, not to
punish for supposed past delin-
quencies, but to secure justice in the
future. Ii the Railroad companies
should show a disposition to comp
crate with the State in remedying
evils now felt, such co operation
should be encouraged, even invited.
II, on the contrary, the Railroads
seek by every means to evade and
defeat the operation Of just law,
all the power of the State should be
invoked to secure her people justice.
There are many arguments of
great force that can be urged in be-
half of tue supervision herein sug :
gested. Some of these l have men
TONED to your ExceIlency orally. +
omit them here, because the limits
of a communication like this would
be nnduly expaT!ed by their inser
ton. wish to say IN conclusion
that | have no special attachment
for the plan herein advocated. AT
Ter much reflection, it appears to me
the most feasible and to promise the
largest good. l give it as my con
lrlbulion to the discussion Of this
important subject, in the hope that
ADLER peGs may be induced to enter
upon its examination If upon
further discus sion and examinatiomit
shall be found that | have erred l
shall rel ice, since,a as a citizen of Mis-
sissippi, eau have no other interest
in the matter than to have that thing
done which will most advance the
welfare Of her people.