Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-21

The Railroad Commissions Report.
The members of the Legislature have
had in their possession several days the
eleventh semi-annnal report Of the Rail-
road Commission, and they have given it,,
doubtless, the attention which it deserves.
1t is, apparently, a very carefully pre-
pared document. 1t seems to have a pur-
pose beyond that which such documents
usually have. II is an argument in de-
Tense Of the acts Of the Railroad Commits
sion, aud to show that the present rail
road commission law cannot be changed
with advantage to either the people or the
railroads.
1t is to be regretted, perhaps, that the
commissioners appear to think that they
and the railroad companies are enemies,
and that II is their duty to appear before
the Legislature as the opponents OF the
railroads. OF course the. report Of the
commission ought to 'coftan all the facts
which it is necessary for tho Legislature
to know in order to form a correct judg-
ment, but il is questionable whether the
commissioners are expected to draw
conclusions from tire facts. It cannot be
otherwise than that the opinions Of the
commissioners should have great weight,
and if these opinions should happen to
be biased for any reason serious injury
might be done to great interests.
The Legislature has before it bill to
modify therailroad commission laws. A
legislative committee that was appointed
several months ago TO inquire into the
workings Of the laws has prepared re-
port, which, If it has not already been,
will soon be submitted to the Legislature.
The character Of the report mas not yet
been made public. Before the discussion
Of the question has been entered upon,
the commissioners come forward and
present an elaborate argument against
the necessity for any change in the exist
ing commission laws, and advance the
opinion that the existence of the laws has
not been injurious to the interests Of the
public or the railroads, and that the eX-
ercise of their powers by the commission
ers has not damaged the railroads. They
90 even further, and say that the present
laws cannot be changed in the way con
tempated, and that they ought not to be
changed.
The commissioners could hardly be
more active against the railroads il they
were attorneys for somebody against
them. In fact, what they say has far
more weight than anything that recog-
nized attorneys might say, because they
speak with some show OF authority, and
from a standpoint that is supposed TO be
friendly.
For many months the railroads have
declared that their interests were being
sacrificed by the commission laws and
the way they were being administered.
1t is for the Legislature to decide whether
they are being damaged or not. The
issue is one of fact, and il would seem as
if the minds Of the members Of the Legis-
lature ought to have been left free to pass
upon the facts.
The entire State is interested in this
effort which the railroads are making for
the privilege Of having little more con
troll Of their properties. ltis doubtful #
there is any considerable number Of
people in the State who are unwilling
that they should have a fair hearing, or
that justice should be done them if it be
found that they are being dealt with I'M
Justly.