The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-01-31
Railroad Determinations.

IN regard I'd raiiroau 'no'''PV'''7' w.
And we bclieveall the platforms Of the
different parties in onrSate had clauses
last year MS to these corporations. The
Democratic, or, Bate platform, in sec-
ton 5, favored the establishment Of Il
commission to regulate the tariffs
charged by the railroads Of the State
$50 as to put IN end to the unjust dis
elimination by said roads in favor O!
through rs against local freighis."
Nov, the Home Journal is no more
bought up" by railroads than it was
by bondholders. The roads may insert
advertisements in our paper, and we get
pay for the same at our regular rates,
whether the pay be in money or tickets
of travel But there is great deal OF
bosh in this reckless abuse Of railroads,
and We greatly fear that the members
of our Legislature will act hastily and
unwisely in lcgislaIing about them.
We would say to them: "festina feHte' "
The railroads, beyond all question, have
added immensely to the taxable value
Of our lands, end are a source now OF
large revenue. In fact, our county Of
Franklin derives over SO, 900 from her
tax upon railroads. But, leaving this
argument out of view, rs well as the
great advantage railroads are MS means
of rapid and heavy transportation, we
will notice only the right our Lcgisla-
ture has 10 interfere with local and
through frcigllts. Section II of the n.
Il G. Railroad charter reads as follows:
"Thc Company shall have the exclusive
right Of transportation or conveyance Of
persons, goods, merchandise, and pro-
duco, over the said railroad by them to
be constructed proUidcd that the
charge Of transportation or conveyance
shall not exceed thirty-fve cents per
one hundred pounds on heavy articles,
and ten cents per cubic foot on articles
Of measurement for every hundred
miles, and five cents mile for every
passenger; and providcd, also, that the
said company may, when they see fit,
farm out their rights of transportation
on said road, subject to the rates above
mentioned
Now, the question is Have the reads |
Violated any part of their charters? Wei
c.nuot say But We have made it our
business TO talk with several reliable
gentlemen connected with the roads in
our State, and We gather from them all
similar statements, TO the effect that the
present local rate of freight is much be-
low the amount authorized 10 be charged
by their charters, and that this rcduc-
ton has been brought about principally |
by means Of what is commonly called
+" discrimination between local and
through freights; that through frcights
are controlled by competition and are
frequently unrcmuncmtivc, but what
little is made from carrying Huough
treights enables them to reduce local
charges. They tell us that the rates now
charged for freight barely pay operating
expenses, interest, taxes, &C., leaving
only about one or two per cent. interest
per annum 10 the stakeholder.
Now, our inlormants mag have lied to
us, but we don't believe so. They did
not know our object in seeking intorma.
ton. If they told us the truth, il fol.
lows that il the roads did not secure
through freight, even ut very low rates,
they would have TO increase local rates
largely in excess of what the rates are u
now, or the road would have to 90 into |
bankruptcy, and it seems to us that any G
ruling to prevent differences IN through f
and local rates would necessarily cut off l
all through business, since that woull {
have 10 be taken Mt figures entirely he q
low the power Of my one State or rail.
road to control, or not taken at all and
not to take it would necessarily compel
railroads to exact on local business the
highest rates possible under their char
ter.
AS TO passenger business we can speak
confidently, and, us the court witness
avs, "of our own knowledge" We do
now that the charter of the NJ, G. d
{. Louis Railway allows a charge of fire {
nts per mile for each passenger, and u.
do know that only about three cents I'll
charged That is, if passengers choose vi
y avail themselves of the reduction in
on acceptance of terms pre-. be
crined by the company, which terms we pil
uppose they have right to protler, as
ne reduction, we also suppose, is rolo,- .
ary on their part and not in any sense 81 /.
Nor do wo think these OF
crms the least stringent as to the passep. IN
er, or arbitrary or despotic on the part 81
the company. Tickets are placed on VI
lie to the public, but must be bought s >,
nring business hours of the day-say VI