Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-25
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE
RAILROADS.


An important question discussed at th,
Atlanta convention was, ''D0es the pub
lie interest require national control OF
railway transportation Gen. A. r
IlawtOn, of this city, taking leading part
in the discussion Of this proposition. he
said:
II this resolution in any form is TO pass
this body (aud for one do not doubt that
some resolution should pass, l respect
fully submit that the form 90 the resou-
ton ia very objectionable as IL now stands.
1t says national control of railroads. A
very large word 1t may include the pur-
chase by the National Government OF all
the railroads in this country; and this
convention, IL its opinions are TO be treat
ed with respect, would be quoted as in-
dOrsing that view. National control means
that the Government OF the United States
should exercise control OF the railroads OF
the country. In the very elaborate dis
cussiOn which has taken place ON
this question by the distinguished
gentlemen who addressed the con-
Vention last evening, be declined
to discuss the question in the form in
which it is presented. lie ignored the
resolution very properly and said be pro-
ferred 10 deliver his address upon the
form Of the resolution as presented by
n
Government to railway cOrpOratiOns.'
That was the theme Of his address. Do
We propose to take up and vote upon the
prOpos ton that it Is % the interest Of the
country that the National Government
should control all Of the railroads. Now,
Mr.. President, ! agree with almost every
thing that was said by the distinguished
gentleman, who, by invitation, addressed
the convention last night. do not, as
Iux adb 10, ia "a -
effect OF the decisions Of the Supreme
Court OF tue United States, no one Of
them having been on a question like this
now presented. But waving that and
accepting as true that the power
does exist under the constitution
OF the United States, and that
these decisions, as argued, all refer
10 the State control of transportation and
roads, then, Mr. President, ! am inclined
to believe that it was a very worthy eau
ton urged 10y the gentleman last night.
or the governments of Europe several
have absolute control OF the railways. |
do not know what the views OF any OF the
gentlemen here are ON the subject, but no
one who has discussed it proposed that
the United States should own all the rail
roads. IL Is proposed that the govern
ment should own the telegraph lines.
Assuming it is true that under the power
10 regulate Interstate commerce, tndt
Congress has all the power necessary to
legislate on this subject. and that it could
give that protection which you, Mr.. Presi-
dent, so earnestly suggested on the floor
but few minutes since, II is true that in
the Congress Of the United States there
are none OF those sins which have been
exhibited in the Legislature at the capt.
tai OF the STATE OF Michigan and in every
other State2 Does all the unity that
exists in the legislature exist in the
Congress OF the United St8tesy When all
these questions are here discussed for the
purpose of bringing influence to bear upon
Congress, and a resolution has been in
troduced here that proper steps should be
taken TO bring the action Of this cOnven-
ton before Congress, is 10 not to be pre-
sumed that ITS actions should bear the
mark of consideration and intelligence?
AS far as | am concerned, | am perfectly
willing 70 see the resolution passed. but
would offer a substitute is follows: That
the interests OF the railway COMPANIES
and the public being identical, Congress
should legislate on this subject, so far as
it can. to protect alike both interests I'M
der its power to control Interstate COM
Inerce. Gentlemen, l think such "A resO-
luton as that ought to be passed il we
undertake TO control legislation on this
subject. / confess that the views eX-
pressed here could control me in any
action, and | say 1t with great respect TO
the gentlemen present, for the two DAYS
that 1 have been here have listened with
profound interest and derived as much
instruction as / nave done in years in the
same length of time. | am thankful l was
present here. The informal manner in
which the vote IS taken. the system by
which it is counted, puts no sort Of charge
upon anybody, and 1t makes the express
sion of opinion pOwerless IN the eve OF
4 l..
Of that vote. l make that remark
having In view the short discussion given
TO this very great question.
In the State Of Georgia alone seventy or
eighty millions Of property is invested in
railroads. aud that is very small proper
tiOn OF the amounts invested in MANY Of
the great States in the North and West.
1t is the largest question ever proposed or
submitted. affecting the material interests
Of the country, TO any parliamentary
Dody That commission to which you,
Mr.. President, have 80 properly referred
to be appointed for that purpose, would
have more power than the President OF
the United States himself, and would have
larger control over property than was
ever committed 20 any legislative body.
Under general regulations the legislative
bodies Of this country have jurisdiction OF
property Of every man. But TO say how
be shall control his property is a power
that does not exist anywhere in any gov
eminent with which any Of us are ac-
quainted.
The railroad problem, which so many
men have grappled, and which was dis
cussed 50 ably by my distinguished friend
last night, is one Of great perplexity. You
remember be said he could count upon
the fingers Of his two hands ali the men
who, n they were put together, might be
capable Of framing a system that would
work out this problem. IL this is the
case, how mOmentOus is the question
upon which we are now called 10 vote
And, therefore, we should take care what
we do. As the influence OF this highly ia.
telligent and cultivated body MIGHT affect
the question, We should BE- very careful
that we do not uso words
TOO large for our meaning. AS II
stands 40 present. 10 inolmdes the right "a
dispense with sl the officers elected by
the stockholders and a. taae entire charge
OF The railroads for thg public interest
Therefore ] say, and ! a. Il most re-
speouully % the views expressed In
reference - this question. that IL We
pass any resolution 40 all-and am moi
opposed 10 the passage % q resolution
nor do ] misrepresent those with whom
may be in connection IN the railroad
system 81 this part OF the couuiry-whet
i say that IL is within the p0ssibilitie,
that some control by the national
government IL necessary according {,