The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1884-08-27
THE INDUSTRIAL INTEREST,
A Railroad Commission Mel
Their Necessary Nor
Desirable.
No Conflict Between the Reads and the
Business Public.
The Farmers Safeguard Against
Oppressive Charges.

PPASSsNC SndTScb.
The Southern Lumberman, from
which the following is clipped, repre-
sents one OF the largest interests in
Tennessee.
We have taken considerable pains to
obtain the calm and quiet views OF the
saw-mill men and lumber dealers, as
well also those OF prominent business
men representing nearly every in
dustrial interest, concerning the pro-
posed Tennessee Railroad Commits
sion, and find that they agree with
wonderful unanimity that a commits
sion is neither necessary nor desirable.
We learn that there is no conflict in
this State between the roads and the
business public as body, and no
serious complaints are made in any
locality that have not, or cannot be,
adjusted by presenting the cause OF
complaint in proper manner to the
proper persons. Railroads, like every
other business, are run for money-a
profit upon the investment-an as
their profits are derived from the peo-
pie 1t is obviously to their interest to
cultivate friendly feeling to increase
their trade. The managers, officers,
and employees are daily brought into
business contact with every class OF
people, from the highest to the lowest,
from the tramp to the millionaire, with
a considerable sprinkling OF editors
and preachers, and ashower Of cranks,
and it is matter OF profound
establishment that they give such
general satisfaction as we find.
1t is said that the commission is in.
tended to prevent discrimination and
extortion. We do not comprehend
how the roads can seriously Cypress
US when it is impossible for them to
take from US any right or privilege we
possessed before they were built.
Suppose they charge up sixteen cents
for lumber from Lebanon, Murfrees
boro, Franklin or Gallatin, to this
city, and then transport the same lum
Der from here to Montreal-three hun
dred times the distance-for thirty
cents, who is injured? We have the
same turnpikes, in as good condition
as before the roads were built, mules
and wagons are about as cheap, ant
pike tolls much less than formerly; 80
rather than submit to "extortion," OIL
have "our hard earnings wrung from
us by oppression" we had much bet
ter fall back on the good old wager
and team plan OF our fathers. There
are many sections of the State of Ten
nessee where new railroads are imper
atively demanded-must be built, ant
that soon, or they will fall 80 far be
hind the other portions OF the STATE
that they can never regain thei
proper places.
Is it Just to the citizens OF those sec
tions that we, who enjoy the blessing
of railroad connections, by establish
ing hostile commission forever deba
them from enjoying the same bless
ings? That, indeed, would be elias:
legislation of the most hurtful kline
that would Disseminate in favor OF the
wealthy sections of the State, which
possess all the transportation facili
ties they need, to prevent the poore
sections from ever securing the sam,
advantages. The fact has been demon
strated, and admitted, that, should tn,
proposed commission be establishe,
and invested with power to regulat
the operations of the railroads in tn,
State, no capitalist, either native o
foreign, would risk his means in thei
investment, and railroad construction
would cease in this State, and that
too, at time when a large proportion
OF the best and most progressive cit
zens OF the State are bending every en-
ergy to secure railroad connections 10
their respective sections. 1t would b
an outrage upon their rights and lii
critics to Illustrate their honest endeay
ors to benefit themselves and the
sections in a legitimate manner.
The Baltimore Manufacturers Re,
ord, reviewing the statements and Fl.
ures given in Poor's Railroad Manua
the advance sheets of which have ju!
been issued, makes the following stat,
ment, based upon the actual figures:
"The aggregate railroad mileage {
the whole country is now l2O,55
miles, against S7,7S2 miles in 1885,
showing an increase OF 37,5 per cent
while the total capital is S7,495,47l
81, as compared with S5,425, ,5G
as the amount of capital given by tn
census of 1850. 1t is, however, to tn
South's position that we desire NOR
especially to call attention.
III we take the four-year perio
from 1879 to 1883 it will be found this
the development of the South's raj
road system during that time wa
very rapid, and the statistics will sho'
a most gratifying progress; but If W
, were to examine closely into the pre-
, ent condition of railroad building i
r the South we would find that, in
, number of the States where most III
; Just and arbitrary laws have been Ell
: acted for the control OF railroad
capitalists have sensibly refused
, to risk their money in enterprises IL
, control OF which is taken from thel
> by law, and that railroad building
, therefore very slack"
AUSELESS COMMISSION.