The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-10-22

| MS lHduYuTdl anu Ills par tiiiS hhOoo"SOo
to the legislature, to urge upon that
body the appointment of board of
railway commissioners, whose duty it
should be to stand impartially between
that class of corporations and the peo-
pie for the purpose of securing equal
| and exact Justice to all. This has be-
come so necessary, on account of the
exactions of the roads and the rapidly
rising indignation of the people thereat,
| that sooner or later it must come. The
fact that the corporations object to such
a commission, unless it can be so
| ordered and made up as to be mere
| tool of their own, is in itself sound
reason why ii should be at once estab-
| lshed.
Governor Barstow fully senses the
need-the imperative need-of our far
mers, hard pressed by western COM
petition which is fostered and aided by
| the very railroads that were ostensibly
| constructed for the benefit of our own
people, for reduction in freights
upon our farm products to their natural
markets. In his first message he said:
eve should never forget the vast
benefits Vermont has derived from her
railroads. 1t has been well said that
we have no means of forming a correct
estimate of how much has been added
to the wealth, comfort, prosperity, and
power of our state by the construction
and operation of our great railroad sys
TEN, by the facilities they have fur
nished for travel and transportation,
by the markets they have opened, and
by the value they have given to other
property But when complaints arise
that the people are not afforded the
same facilities in freight and passage
that are extended to other communities
by the same lines: that determinations
in freight rates are made between per-
sons and places; that rebates and spe-
cial contracts are allowed to some and
denied to others; that unjust combina-
tons exist whereby consumers are
obliged to pay more than fair price
for articles in common use; that large
numbers travel without pay, thereby
increasing the price paid by others !;
that the farmers of the West can place
their products in the Boston market as
cheaplv as can the farmers of Vermont;
that our small villages are becoming un-
desirable places of residence and bust
ness, for the reason that they cannot be
reached or left by through trains; that
manufacturers are deferred from locat-
ing in the state, by reason of uncertain
and high rates of freight, it manifestly
becomes a proper topic for legislative
consideration
In his last message, upon the same
subject, he said:
In my former message / suggested
the appointment of commission to
which should be delegated the general
powers of the state over railroad COM
panies. Such commission, if appointed,
should, think, be paid by the state
and be required to make inquiry as to
complaints in regard to discriminating
and excessive rates for freight and pas
sengers. The free-pass system con-
stantly brings obloquy upon the state,
and trust you will consider the pro-
priety of wiping out the reproach. But
nothing is of such paramount impor-
lance to the material interests of the
state as proper action by congress in re-
gard to the regulation of Interstate
commerce. | am informed that freight
is sent from Chicago to Liverpool at a
less rate than is charged Vermont
farmers on their products to Boston.
All are aware that the value of farm
lands and products is largely in
creased by their proximity to manu-
featuring centers. But it is claimed
that high and discriminating rates on
raw material, fuel and manufactured
goods are such as to practically exclude
manufacturers from establishing them
selves in this state, except, perhaps, at
few points, and if we seek our mark.
, cts in Boston or New York, we are
, charged higher rates than are paid tc
the same points by dealers in the fal
West. This is grievance that neither
Vermont nor Vermont railroads car
remedy. You have doubtless observed
that Mr.. Stewart, our member of con
gress from the first district, has intro
duced bill for the regulation of inter
state commerce. The governors OF
: several states have advocated the neces
: sity of national legislation upon thi,
| SuDJcCl. anu llc pIcSlucHt ulScu III
propriety in his message to congress il
December last. The republican ma
tional convention at Chicago committed
that party to the adoption of measures
2 looking to the same end. Allow me t
express the belief that if you follow tn,
, example of many other states and Civ,
l the people railroad commission ant
e also give an impetus to the interstate
: commerce movement by arousing tn
interest of the remaining members o
our delegation in congress, you may b.
; assured of lifelong and kindly re
: membrance from your constituents"
Here the good governor, in his anx
iety to be just to the railroads, declare
: that the high rates of freight from Yer
mont points to the lower markets is
grievance that neither Vermont no
= Vermont railroads can remedy. To
certain extent this is true. Train
: loaded with western produce are draw
over the New Hampshire and Massa
chusetts roads that intervene between
g us and our markets at much lowe
S rates than trains loaded with the pre-
i duets of Vermont But-and here is
S point of great importance that appear
q | a., lao lra,f IN fha