The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-11

roads practice both these evils is as well known
as that railroad trains are run at ell. These
are the evils to be reached and cured. Already
there is plenty Of law on the books. Neither
one of the wrongs can be practiced without a
violation of the common law, and the person
who suffers has already a remedy. Indeed,
the Reagan bill, as characterized by
its author, is "a compilation of the
common law" If this is all, of what
avail will it be above the law as at
PRESENT. 1t relegates the aggrieved and OPP
pressed individual to his personal and individ-
ual status in court, where he is met by all the
power of a great corporation. 1t provides no
new remedy; no greater remedy, no help to an
old remedy. It is simply declaratory. The
commission plan, on the contrary, reinforces
the individual with the full authority and
power of the government. When a complaint
is made the commission relieves the individ-
ual. 1t uses its great authority for a thorough
investigation, and if the case has merit to
stand a legal investigation, the remedy will
come of itself, for the railroad companies are
few which will care to go into a United States
court to oppose the government armed with a
complete case. The commission will do more
than this: If John Smith files a complaint in
some State or United States court, the case
is seldom heard of outside the courtroom, and
never seen except on the court docket. But,
let John Smith file a complaint before the
commission, sitting in one of the several judi
cial circuits where the offense is alleged 10
have been committed, and it at once arrests
public attention. It's merits will be
examined, its allegations made known, and
it will tend to the creation of a public senti-
ment that no railroad corporation, howsoever
arrogant OF powerful, can in the long run with
stand, or will long care to affront. The laws
Of human selfshness-supreme in corpora
tons that have no souls-will operate to an
adjustment of the specific wrong and a re-
versal of the unjust and injurious policy.
DOG " Jul 2 FAX ptAiASAp0i AA4lS " 10
gained is the reinforcement of the individual
in his contest with the corporations. This
has been the weak point in the popu-
lar fight from the first, and to
this the Reagan bill is not addressed.
But just here the commission plan comes in
with full force and power, and hence the COM
mission idea has always commended itself to
our favor. The details of the Senate bill
seem to be we'll guarded. TIL commission
proposed is one of dignity, and will be filled
by the President, whether Mr.. Arthur or Mr..
Cleveland, with men of ability and integrity.
No executive could afford to trif1e with the
public in so grave a matter. The two houses
of Congress are at disagreement, and conferees
have been appointed. 1t is greatly to be
hoped that the House will not obstinately adj
here to the principle of the Reagan bill,
which will defeat all legislation for this
Congress; but that, with a desire to see some
thing practical done, senators and repre-
sentatives alike will be willing to concede
something to secure a measure, based on the
commission idea, which will give to the peo-
pie the power and influence of the govern
ment in any just and equitable contest with
the gigantic corporations that have forgotten
their proper responsibility to the sovereignty
which called them into existence.