The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-08-16
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1854.
THE RAILROADS.


embndiei result OF powers delegated
by the people to the state for the pro
motion OF the pub,ic good, becomes
by virtue of such delegated aud re-
ceived powers the pledged agent "t
the people, guaranteeing IN return
for thess trusts OF p0wer- supervision
aud vindicatiDn OF their rights aud
interests without exception. There
were no exception made when these
powers were granted and received,
and there should he non- in the full
tilment of these trusts. The legisla,
ture, then, from its responsibility, as
the servant ot the people, has no
right to create or set up a power that
it does not superiutend; has no right
to create railroad corporations and
turn them loose upon the country
without continued supervision and
regulation, and that, too, in reference
to the public good, because past REQ.
ords point to no instance proving that
railroad corporations are less liable to
err than other public servants, viz:
hackmen, millers, judges, legislators
if left to assist their own stlpends or
salaries. We remark, the legislature
having thus duty, or work, to per-
form made inviolable too by most
sacred trusts of powers from the peo-
pie, becoming thereby responsible to
them that railroad corporations, its
creatures, shall be conducted with JUS
tice, without extortion, and with
much due observance of the peoples
welfare; this being so, it is of great
Importance that proper and prompt
means of investigation be adjudged,
that the legislature by judicious in>
vestlgation may be just to all. Here
it becomes very necessary that COM
missions be chosen to canvass the
field, of complaints as to unjust exac.
zion, and determinations on the part
of rair Dads, and regulate injustice il
such exists. We emphasize, the en-
trusted power that the legislature ex.
ercise to create railroad corporation
is the pledge on the part of the legis>
lature that it will fulfil its cosnter~
part, viz: protection of the people
from corporate injustice. In these
investigations and regulations due and
of course the same regard should he
exercised towards the interest ofrail~
roads among our most useful institu-
tions, as exercised towards all other
interests of public servants. Gov
eminent is failure if it embraces not
in it its arms equal benedictions to all
the interests of its citizens. Thorough
Investigations or alleged charges
against railroads cannot be other than
most beneficial to the country. If
these charges be found upon iudicious
investigation to be we'll founded, all
must admit that such grievances
should be removed; if found, howev-
err, to DO erroleous, the people would
be satisfied and and railroads securing
enlarged confidence would be much
benefited. Be this as it may, the
people, the source of power, who
framed and continue the government
at great expense to guard and protect
their interests against injustice, can
only look to government for vindica-
ton. And, in order to be just to all,
it must be an investigating govern
ment. Investigation is the vitality
of reform, determins the injustice,
and adjusts the relief. Let the good
work go on. 1t is commended. howey>
err, that this is not necessary; that
railroads have the right to regulate
their rates of freight. Hear the
learned chancellor. He says: at is
not 10 be supposed that complainant
(Iailroad corporations would have
accepted the charter, invested its cap.
ital and assumed its obligations under
the charter without the right to fix
its tolls and manage its own business.
This is the most important part Of
the franchise. 1t is essential to the
very existence and life of the corpor
alton. 1t is in form and substance
contract" Ths learned chancellor
here states what he conceives to be
essential to the existence and life, Of
the corporation, but fails to state
what is essential to the life of the
sovereignty of the state. Had he, we
remark with due respect, turned his
attention to this he would have seen
at once that the assumption that
railroad charters are contracts, in
stead of preserving would destroy the
life and validity of railroad charters,
from the fact that powers of sover.
eighty were granted by the people to
the sfnte to prevent this very thing;