Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-09-12
IHE posT-ISTElLicEHcER PUB. co
n...tia lime 10 l2S3.
..seREss OF RAIlRoAD POwER

Tbs absorption by the Atchison, To-
Ia A Santa Fe Company of the Mo
I've branch of the Southern Pacific
"a the half consolidation Of that COM
o nsnv with the Southern Pacific indi-
ps,es. r we think, the probable plan
~hicb will be adopted by all the western
lines. They will have a common I'M
dsrstanding about rates, and will run
rains on each Others roads as they
nlsase. In other words there will be a
nractical consolidation of all the roads,
md when the laws are modified TO per-
nil an actual consolidation, the whole
Management will be reduced to one
p,esident and one Board of Trustees, TO
whieh the various superintendents will
,anort and from which they will re-
cs,ye orders. There is much to be said
hoth Cor and against such an arrange
msnt. In its favor can be urged the re-
duction of expenses, the simplifying of
the management, the striking out of a
thossand details, the reduction Of
clerks. etc. On the other hand il would
ne the consolidation under one rule of
one-iftsenth of the property of the
United States, and that property Ia of
suoh nature that it, in effect, stands be-
fore every mans door aud levies tribute
upon him every morning. With this
uracticaI consolidation of the Southern
Pacific with the Atchison, Topeka d
Santa Fe extended to all the roads Of
.he Republic, 1t would mean that one
sixth Of all the property of the country
had set up little government within
The Government of the United States,
and that it WIS kind OF property
which would demand in tribute from
the people annually, nearly or quite
one thousand millions of dollars. Il
would, too, very sJon. be almost as
much of an honor to be high officer
In this governments as in the Federal
Government; the reward would be
greater. A high place, too, would be a
more certain endorsements of ability, for
men would be chosen for their especial
fitness. Gradually the foremost men of
the Nation would be drawn to the side
Of the lesser government; the shrewdest
lawyers; the ablest writer's; the most
saQaciOus business men; the foremost
mechanics; the most daring and accom-
plished engineers, and the meR with
most pronounced administrative abili
would insensibly take on imperial char
acteristics. The officers would know
that their positions were not dependent
upon the popular will, but upon such
services a few managers would approve
of,and slowly contempt for the ruen
who we're forced to pay tribute TO the
roads, would come over them. IL is easy
also 10 see that in any contest with the
Government, the lesser government
would have the advantage. in the single
object which would be the point OF
controversy the greater knowledge
which tho lesser government could
bring TO bear upon IL, aud in the im.
perial unity of action which would
guide its oouusels. How many years
with this superior ability and disci-
pline, and with steady swelling
mighty revenue, before the lesser gov
ernment would overthrow the greater
10 would not be long time. Indeed
after getting In thorough working or
der, with the proper men IN every
branch of the service. IL would only re-
quire one master spirit TO give direction
TO course which, IN few years. would
thoroughly imperializs the United
States. The possibility of such a cul
mination grows more pronounced every
year. Think of what the railroads were
30 years ago-think Of their present
power The very first need OF the Gov
eminent is TO have new railroad code
written something which will FIX the
sovereignty Of the Government aud the
dependence of corporations in clearel
light than II is now seen, and which
will provide in direct way through
which justice can be swiftly established
between the roads and their sovereign
Either this or In self-defense the trunk
lines will have 10 be condemned and
sold, and their management assumed
by the United States.-SaN Lake Tri
bsns