Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-12-19
"Hiain TsiLf IN HaiIroad Mute iu
az n.nnL-


Last weeks issue Of the Montpelier Watch.
man bad pn uciuvey written communica-
ton on tho general lack Of Efficiency OF the
late Legislature and its sins of omission
Prominent among the latter, ID need not bee
said the failure 20 enact any legislation 90
the interests OF the people for the regulation
aud control OF the railroads was named On
this subject the writer said
The several railroad bills ,uotahly the short haul
bill aud the bil creating an cfhcien' railroad com.
mission, similar tu laws prevailing 90 other states.
where government still exists by, OF and Tor the rtn-
ple aud not primarily for corporatiousl designed t1
defend aud protect toe people against notorious
t1rti0us, unjust discrimination. uurteus1me etae-
tons and other rrieviouH wrongs practiced upon
them hy the great corporations that the state has ere
and STEADY deatn-tho fate tuat has oeialieu
al similar bills tor score of yeurf dating from the
Wben these creatures of the states fostering hu
cralty became greater tuau their orator. 81 aI-
powerful arc they, that no citizen eau contend suc-
cessfuy With them tor his ceareHt rRuts, and only
the state ttHeli, emancpated and rehuhiitated eau
impose the restraining band, 20 impcratvcy demand
ed. Having created these corporations it BE- clearly
tue boundtu duty of the state 10 TO- 30 that NOT
one of her citizens, the ieebleHt BE- wrouged uY
them. And why should the railroad corporations 1i
vermont 10 this instance almost s0lidy banded toe
Rether herCely resist Just state supervision over
them. rs exercised cpecriuly accepted iu
nearly all states This fact iu itself amounts 90 O.
practical admission on their part that such superls-
ion BE- necessary. The peculiar history of majority
OF the railroad corporations 800 vermont should nave
taught them 90 be less arrogant and d1miueeriur.
Deiaultinp for the most part vast pecuuiary otga-
interest Of the money With which their roads were
built, impoverishing many contrUutiug tp their cou
structiuu, and enrching only those fortunate meu
VINO, IN various ways aud sometimes hy anomalous
devices have grasped their later management. these
practically bankrupt corporations even through their
very BANKRUPTCY nave grown h1 uomlueefing} luur
pendent successfully 90 ignore the rights aud dst1
the power OF the people. All experience teaches that
nothing b. 90 supremacy independent us irrcspou-I-
biity and this precisely the vantage ground ueru-
pied by our railroad corporation Having long since
repudiatsd pecuumry obligations. they mudesl.t
emaucipate themselves from all legal restraints Bog
boldly assuming guardianship over thrir creator Do
b. not an exaggerated statement-f1r the furi I-
known 90 all Intelligent citizens-tnat for nearly O.
score OF years these corporation, either slnEy or
acting 10 concert, through the expenditure uf money
that possibly might have better gone 90 CREDITOR Boy
the lavish use Of Tree passes auu other ofma 90 pee
soual fayoritism, through paid attorneys political
nenchmen aud other ageuts and agencies 300 which
they abound. nave substantially dictated. with few
honorable exceptions generally recognized. oil lu-
portant political ana civil nominations, elections All
appointments; while controlling absolutely all ieaIs-
terests. And some Of them nave not even stopped
here; Tor either directly, or through what D. EuOwu
ia legislative paranCe az 'lUg-ruIul. you-ticte
me-aud-l h-tcAie-ynu arrangements. 80 which the,
excel. they have constantly exercised potent luhu
ence on a other legislation. Tue late session fur
nisned several signal instances of tuis potent influence
/ on both men aud measure. There were sudden
conversions from friendly aHgressiveiy uustl.
attitude toward some % the proposed railroad ieai-
D
sacred history. The power Oi the "rus aud tui
lobby never more potent nor NOR, openly aua
ameiessy exercised. The legislature never con.
veues without tue constant presence and watchiul
pgrysluu OF the trained attorneys and expert IOnns
lists Of these corporations, with pucuced eyes quci
60 detect any insuient movement u behalf Of the peH
pie against tue assumed unlimited prgruEutIyrs 81 90
/ railroads. And when any such movement be- made u'
some bold ueuphyte. at the late session. bow gucs
] by tue great managing moEuis with oil their Jesse
sAtraps, down 60 the paid local agents and o.
I tcrneys iu each county. swuOu down uhr arm
with banners upon tue rash culrtit and his doumei
bautLuC. And go the people. ana oil who attempt
serve tnem.go 20 tine wall: anu could 30 ue other
wise, Witu such drilled cohorts ptel against the
coherent. purp1Heless, uuurcauiEpu multitude DIR
ing period of 20 years some 0f these attorneys an
professional lobbyists nave never once failed Co come
60 stay and 90 with The Legislature until th- sy-
tematlc, Illuminating espionage has g. ue regard
ed as matter oi course, aud sensitive cheeks mas
almost ceased % tiurle with shame thereat.
In conclusion the writer says. with truth
that neither political party is alone respous
ble for this state OF thing. but that botl
have contributed 20 It equally II proportion
20 numbers and opportunitr-. through theI
leaders controlled 10y the corporation Bu
the people themselves are ripe for tue rene
dy, even TO political upheayA. n that b
necessary. II Is the leaders alone VINO ~
timid and suOservient-
'Ihe people a-e beginning o. zee Clearly and
thiuE earnestly regarding these thiuEs and, 90 tuo
ugu GOOD time. aud a. early day, tu.. else %
true usccruer ut slgus and rorteulg. they viii sure
either mad, or MAKE, wav 90 Resume. once t.- a.
full control OF their own AFFAIR.".