The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-01-10

misstated these facts in any particular.
l hear none. Now, sir, is not this
enough to show that the Commission has
not the experience or the information
necessary to enable them to manage the
fifty million dollars worth of railroad
property in this State? / take it that no
member of this House would like to have
bis property taken out of his hands and
its management given to men who could
not give better reasons for their action
in connection with it.
The third reason for the modification
is, that the business men of the greater
portion of the State ask for it, and rep.
resent that the Commissions rates are
injurious to the business of the State.
These petitions come hero from every
Court House town along the line Of the
Columbia & Greenville and the Charlotte,
Columbia & Augusta. believe, except
the town of Union, and we have petitions
from at least three.fourths of the other
prominent towns along these lines, and
also from some Of the lower towns.
There is not petition here against the
change from single body of business
men, or from any individuals in the
State, so far as l know. 1t has been
said that the railroads got these petitions
up. do not know how they we're raised,
but I do know that the resolutions from
Anderson were not gotten up by the
railroads, but were sent to me in response
to an inquiry for my information. Even,
however, if these petitions were gotten
up by the railroads, they have been pre-
sented by the representatives from, their
respective Counties, and it is admitted
that the signatures are genuine; there
fore it shows that the railroads and the
people are on better terms than the
Commissioners and the people. If so, l
think the Legislature should grant these
petitions, and modify the law as the
busines. interests of the State desire.
But ne are told that the business inter.
ests must be benefited by the Law if the
railroads are injured. This by no means
follows. The rates may be arranged &c
as to annoy and inconvenience the busi.
ness men, and at the same time to injure
the railroads. For instance, the freigbts
from Charleston to points along the Air
Line-like Central, Westminster and
such points-go by way of Atlanta
cheaper than the Columbia & Greenville
can carry them under the Commis.ion's 8
schedule. To points towards the North
Carolina line they 60 by the Northeast
ern Road into North Carolina and back.
1t will, therefore, be seen that there are q
great maLy complex questions entering
into this matter, and it seems to me that
where the railroads and the business
men both claim to be injured, that it
should be sufficient reason to induce the
change asked for. These are the reasons
for the change.
During this debate I have regretted to
hear the railroad officials censured for
being present in this House and accused
of lobbying. They not only have the
right to come into this hall, where the
highest or the humblest has the right to
come; but as matter of fact they were
specially invited by the unanimous vote
of the Railroad Committee to come
before US. The opponents of the change
were also invited. The Commissioners
came. They have not been censured for
doing so, and I ubmit that it is in bad
taste to invite gentlemen before you aud
then censure them for coming.
a few words more and will close, for
I know that the House is weary Of this
debate. We do not propose to abolish
the Commission. We retain it, with
power to prevent oppression, but without
power to opprcss. The Committee is not
welded to this particular bill. 1t is com.
posed, in part, of my bill, and in part OF
the bill Of my friend from Charleston,
Gen. McCrady,) and both Of US voted
for the changes that have been made by
the Committee. The scope of this bill is
to give the railroads the right to appeal
to our own Courts, and if they violate
our LAWS severe penalties are imposed.
The Commission also have the right 10
report to the Legislature, and such chan
ges as may be necessary to protect the
people will be made in our laws. This
bill fixes the passenger rates, and enfor-
ces first and second-class cars. 1t seems
to me that it amply protects the people,
and is much fairer to the railroads than
the present law. 1 know, Mr.. Speaker,
that there are differences of opinion
among the members on this bill, but /
am satisfied that in the vote about to be
taken the result will represent the judg.
ment of the members of this body, With
out prejudice, and that the desire of each
will be to do that which is best for South
Carolina. l hope the results of our ac-
ton will rebound to the true interest of
our State, let this issue be decided as it
may.