The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-02-06
MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD REGU-
LATIQN


4. O. Picayune.
The railroad Supervision bill, whose pas
sage through the Mississippi House has
been noted in or telegraPhic columns, Is
the result Of q great deal Of thought and |
discussion by and among legislators and |
State papers. While, perhaps. not 50 rigid
as would be desirable, still it is admirable
so far as It goes, and cannot result IN IN
iury to the railroads. The commissioners
in revising the railroad tariffs. are 70 have
regard to the entire business of the rail
read under consideration. and to exercise
a watehfuI and careful supervision over
| the tariff. and TO continue to revise II
from time to time, in accordance with
Justice to the public and to the railroad,
and to so revise as to allow just and
| fair return on the value of the road
and its appurtenances, etc. That hon
orabIe officials would exercise the discre-
ton involved in such performance with
equity both to people and companies, is
beyond doubt; and the remedy for mai
! feasance or nonfeasance is exactly what 1t
ought to be-impeachment. South Caro-
lima has recently made very grievous
mistake in giving to court authority to
oyerturn the commission rates-that Is, 10
practically reduce the commissions discre-
ZION to nil. If commission is not fit to
be entrusted with the power to make rates,
that is an end TO the whole matter, and the
proper thing to do is to abolish the com
missions; but examples from the working
of the supervision theory in other States
have not yet proved that the theory is in
practicable or injurious.
The Georgia commission is the mos
successful we know of. Under its influence
complaints against railroad discrimination
oyercharges or unfairness of any sort
: have almost disappeared; and until South
Carolina had modified her law, the railroad
officials in Georgia were satisfied appar
emily with the workings of the com
mission. But the exhibition O.
legislative subserviency in South Caro-
lima seems to have produced com
: bative spirit elsewhere; and if the Peopl
: do not guard their own interests by Sc
Iecting faithful legislators, all the commls
t sions in the country will be overthroWn o
2 reduced to impotency.
Z In the meantime we rejoice at the splrl
Il exhibited in Mississippi. The bill Is bette
= than we had expected. 1t is safe, and II
/ errors are in the direction of too great len
ieucy toward the roads. 1t is first-rate fo
Q a start. and such Improvements as exper
ence may suggest can be made in futur
v years.
J. It provides that the commission sha
, hear every complaint and try it falrl.
f hearing evidence oral or written, exam
r. ming witnesses, etc. The time for tn
sessions of the commission is fxed-o
i the first Monday in every month excel
September-but it is allowed to sit as lor
as it will, and at other times whenever
= chooses, and to hold extra sessions ava
~ from the Capitol if it deems best.
&c One of the most progressive provisio1
g of the bill is that which authorizes the col
s. mission to confer with the commissions
20 other States, or with special commissions
appointed by the Governors of the Stat
e. which have no railroad commissions, f
Id the purpose of agreeing upon draft
o. statutes to be submitted to the Legislatu
IN of each State, which shall secure sc
re uniform control of railroad transported
be in the several States, and from one STATE a
On or Ltr0uqh another State, as will best ST
n serve the interest of trade and CONNER
an of the whole country" This looks to III
or fornity of legislation throughout the wh'
a country, and such uniformity is most
sirable. tits emphatically wise provlsit
except the nine words which we have ita
cized, and they will do no harm. Althou
no State Legislature can enact laws res
lal lating interstate commerce, the conside
lfe ton of such legislation by the commissi'
he ers of all States will probably lead to
he draft of statutes justifable by univer
no experience, and Congress would not he I
If pealed to vainly by the combined wisd'
of all the States.