The Russellville Democrat., 1886-12-01
The Duty of the Democratic Par
 ty of Arkansas.

The legislature of the state will meet in the early part of January, 1887, and every member Of the dem
 ocratic party who is convessant with its history since 1874, no doubt feels the importance of the meeting and deliberations of the next legislature. The democrats have now, as they have had, since the year 1874. good working majority in both hous- es. Now that the democratic party has failed in great many respects to come up to the expectations of the people who placed them in power, no one can deny. And while this is true, the republican party need take DO consolation, for their history for six long years was continued his tory of crime, bloodshed and pecula- tion. But what we want in this ar- t;cle, is to point out the duty of the democratic party and the obliga tons they are under to the people who placed them in power. The question may be asked, what impor- tant legislation is required by the peoples We answer: The coming legislature must regulate the tariff on the railroads now being operated in the state. as to freights and pass engers. This question can DO long CT be unanswered by the cry that we must encourage the building of railroads in the state. The people will listen to this song no longer, nor will they longer submit to the dictation of railroad kings. They demand, and will have. equitable and fair rates fixed and laws passed to prevent discriminations as we now have. There is no kind Of soph- istry that will satisfy the people. The democrats must come up to the emergency. And the democrat who in the next legislature fails in this important matter, will soon find him. self without a constituency. Nor must the Governor of the state fail in his duty Tn this matter. What harm could come of Governor Hughes making strong recommendation on this subject? He has alresdy placed himself on the record as to the du- ties of railroads paying taxes as re- quired by law, and we hope his mess age to the next legislature will con
 tain $ recommendation that will be in such language that there shall be no misconstruing it's import We do not wish it to be understood that we desire or would advocate the passage of any law that would be unjust or that would discriminate against railroads. For instance, we ! do not ihink that the measure of damages should be fixed as by last legislature for failing to deliver freight after the amount had been rendered for carrying freight We saw s practical illustration of this act at the last term of our circuit court A man shipped goods from some northwestern state and the proof showed that box of meat had been damaged, and the damage was assessed a. the vslue of the meat; on the next day the same man had g case tried, in which, he claimed ad- ditional damages for the detention of the same goods for about seven days, and his damages was fixed at the amount charged on the bill Of lading for each day. which amount ed to about one hundred snd sixty dollars. We thought that this was the most valuable lot Of meat thai hsd ever been shipped into the state. That act goes to extremes and does not do justice 10 the railroads We do not advocate any such legislation. What the act ought 10 have done, was to fix fair measure of damages. Now what the next Legislature ought and must do. is to regulate all these matters by well guarded act that will do equal justice to the people as also to railroads that are being ope- rated in the state. And when this is done, you wllI see better feeling existing between these roads and the people. DEMOCRAT.
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