The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1884-02-02
MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD REGU,
LATI0H
n. 0. Picarune. |

y. o. Picayune
The railroad supervision bill, whose pas
sage through the Mississippi House has
been noted in our tolegraphic columns, IA
the result Of great deal Of thought and
discussion by and among legislators and
State papers. While, perhaps, not 50 rigid
AZ would be desirable, still it Is admirable
70 FAR as il goes, and cannot result in in
Jury 10 the railroads. The commissioners,
in revising the railroad tariffs, are TO have
regard 10 tho entire business Of the rail
road under consideration, and to exercise
watchful and careful supervision over
the tariff, and 10 continue % revise II
from time to time. in accordance With
justice 70 the public and 10 the railroad,
and 10 30 revise hs 10 allow y Just and
fair rsturn on the value ot tie road
and it's appurtcnances. etc. That bon
orable officials would exorcisS the discre-
ton involved In such performance with
equity both 10 people aud companies, ia
beyond doubt and the remedy for nal
ieasance or nonfeasance is exactly what il
ought TO DO -impeachment South Caro-
linn has recently made very grievous
mistake in giving TO n court authority 10
oyerturn the commission rates that il, 10
practically reduce the commissions discre-
ton TO nil If commission is not lt 10
be entrusted with tho power 10 make rates,
that Ia an end to the whole matter, and the
proper thing to do is 10 abolish the com
mission; but examples from the working
OF the supervision theory in other States
have not yet proved that the theory is im.
practicable or injurious.
Tho Georgia commission is the most
successful we know Of, Under it's influence
COMPLAINTS against railroad discrimination,
overchargos or unfairness Of any sort,
have almost disappeared; and until South
Carolina had modified her law, the railroad
officials in Georgia were satisfied nppar-
emily with the workings Of tho com
mission. But the exhibition of
Legislative subserviency in South Caro-
lima seems TO have produced com
bntivc spirit elsewhere; and If the people
do not guard their own interests by so.
Letting faithful legislators, all the commits
-ons in the country will be overthrown or
reduced to impotcncy.
In the meantime we rejoice Mt the spirit
exhibited in Msaiosippi. Tho bill is better
than We had expected. 1t is safe, and its
errors are in the direction OF too great len
lency toward the roads. II is first-rate for
start, and such improvements "a expert.
ence may suggest can be made in future
years.
1t provides that tho commission shall
hear every complaint and try it fairly,
hearing evidence oral or written, exam
ming witnesses, etc The time for the
sessions of the commission is fxed-on
the first Monday in every month except
September it il allowed to sit as long
IA 1t will and at other times whenever il
chooses, and TO hold extra sessions away
from the Capitol if il deems best.
One of the most progressive provisions
of tho bill is that which authorizes the com
mission to confer with the commissions of
other States, or with special commissioners
appointed by tho Governors of the States
which have no railroad commissions, for
the purpose of agreeing upon draft of
statutes to be submitted to the Legislature
of each State, which shall secure such
uniform control of railroad transportation
in tho several States, and from one Sdte into
or through another STATE, as will host sub
serve the interest OF trade and commerce
of the whole country" This looks to uni
formity OF legislation throughout the whole
country, and such uniformity is most de-
sirablc, ltis emphatcally a wise provision,
except the nine words which we have itali-
cized, and they will do no harm. Although
no State Legislature can enact laws regu-
lating interstate commerce, the considera-
ton of such legislation by the commission
ers of all States will probably lead to
draft of statutes iustihable by universal
experience, and Congress would not be aP-
poaled to vainly 10y tho combined wisdom
of all the States.