Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1885-05-13
0t)e Canfaster 1ntrllieclifer.
-
LANCASTER, MAY 10, 1885
who Slew the Bill.

hVuDo, liio ySao uOiiiS CiSh1y-clSue anu VIC
nays eighty seven, with twcnty-six not vot-
ing. Philadelphia and Allegheny voted
nearly solidly against it, only six votes in
the Affirmative coming from the former and
two from the latter. None of the repre-
sentatives from Delaware, Montgomery,
Chester, Lancaster, Dauphin, Cumber-
land, Franklin, Perry, Juniata, Mif1lin,
Blair, Cambria and Westmoreland voted
for the bill, making practically solid del
egation against it all along the main line of
the Pennsylvania and Cumberland Valley
railroads, the only exception being in
HUNTINGDON, one of whose members voted
for the bin while the others stdodged' and
failed to vote at all.
II is clear exposition of the fact that
the ipannSnce of the greatest railroad of the
state caused the defeat Of the measure,
which its president appeared personally
before the committee of the legislature to
oppose. The legislators along the line of
the road believed that the measure was one
against the interest of the Pennsylvania
railroad, and, like the Drumore Solomon
of our county, they were ready to strike
anything rather than that corporation.
Their loyalty to it haspalliation in the fact
that the Pennsylvania railroad is great
public work of which the state and
its people have reason Ito be proud
but loyalty to any corporation isnot justi-
fed where it causes dislOyalty to the in
terests of the state. In this case ye be-
lieye it to be clear that the conception
which the president of the PesnsSlvania
railroad has taken of the reA interests of
his company, and which has been AGO 2i,ted
by the legislature from the counties on the
naSka railroads lis false and he and they
in short time, that so great
work must be managed in accord
with the interests of the people of its state,
to meet its fullest profit, There is moth
ing antagonistic between the true
interests of the two. The Penn
sylvana railroad company, unfortu-
nately, has encountered itself with the
support of Improbable extensions out
side the state, intended TO be its feeders,
but proving to be its suckers. Its interests
would be forwarded by looping them off !;
but to this heroic surgery its managers are
not equal. Other interests than those of
the company hamper their free action for
its best good. Their reports constantly de-
clare that nearly all their business is local,
and the fact certainly is that their local
business is the sustenance of the company.
Its prosperity rests upon that of the peo-
pie who are forced to rely upon its service,
and it is clear enough that what it can do
for their welfare it should do.
This anti-discrimination bill provided, in
q measure, for the protection of the Gus
toners of Pennsylvania railroads, and
sought to guarantee them under the law
no more than what should be guaranteed
them by the interests of the railroads them
selves as Pennsylvania roads, for which
Ouly they were chartered.
The legislators who have failed to vote
for the measure have not been true to the
interests of their people, and this they will
surely find out should they venture before
them for endorsement. There is no con-
ceivable reason, other than loyalty to a
supposed railroad interest, which can ac-
count for the failure of the country
legislators to vote for the anti-discrimina-
tion bill. Nor is there any other reason
apparent why Philadelphia legislators
should approve it. 1t is certain that the
interests of Philadelphia suffer severely
under the present practices of the railroads.
Their discrimination rs altogether against
it.
AS TO Allegheny county there may be
the question raised, whether its mere hants
do not make more than they lose by rail
road addiscriminations. Pittsburg has very
commanding commercial situation and
is able often to bring its railroads
to their knees. 1t has great
trade to he catered to and many
rival railroads to serve it, beside |
water navigation to the uttermost parts of |
the land with which to keep them in check
= has its fuel, both of coal and natural
gas. upon its borders and free from railroad
dictation. 1t gets, as consequence of its
natural advantages, better freight rates than
any place in the state; and has profited
greatly from the discrimination in its favor
"a many branches of trade, though in
others It has suffered severely, through the
greater fayOrs secured by cities farther
west. But as to Allegheny, there may be
fair question about the profit of a
discrimination policy. Tho -.her places
In PENNSYLVANIA, which suffer from the un-
due favor shown Pittsburg by the railroads,
may fairly object 10 it, though she is city
Of the state, and complain that their legis-
iators follow the Allegheny representatives
10 sustaining this railroad policy. AS an
Illustration of Pittsburg's advantage in
carriage, We cite the fact that manufac-
tnred IRON is carried thence to any part
of New England for four dollars q ton
IN nmall quantities, and to any place west
Of the Hudson river for three dollars o ton;
no such general rate can be obtained from
Lancaster, through which the line from
fittsburg goes on its way to New England.
Nor are those rates given directly to Pitts
burg manufacturers by the Pennsylvania
railroad. They are given by The Union
line, transportation company which runs
2yer tne pennsylvania and other railroad |.
lines. :