The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-28

TUE pADCSNuAs us Atdu-lu4caAuu VI
the testimony here-as an attempt
to circulate aud give currency to base
less gossip and tclnd2 alter every
thing substantial IN the way of
charge has been disCre1ited and dis
proved. am CO3tent to leave the
matter with the Committee on Privi-
leges and Elections for such disposi-
ton Of it az they may find to be in ac-
coiance with dignity and justice. l
trust that it will receive early stten-
ton snd seton.
The msjority and minority reports
we're referred 70 the Committee on
Privileges and ECcions.
Senator Whitthorna was appointed
a member Of the following commit
tees: On Claims, on Pensions and on
the Tenth Census, also on Naval AT
fairs, during the temporary absence ii
Senator Jones Fla
Toe bill providing for sn ex ension
of the executive mansion was passed.
1t approprates $1,000 0 for the pur-
pose. A bill was passed to provide
for the allotment Of lands in sevelalty
to the Indians { Round Valley Reser-
walton, California.
A bill was passed providing for the
addition Of third story to the public
building st Dallas, Tex, and sppro-
priating S25, 600 for the purpose.
The following bills authorizing the
construction of bridges, reported IA
vorable from the Committee on CON-
merce, were passed: A railroad bridge
across the Missouri river at or near
Kansas City, Mo-; railroad bridge
scross the Missouri river at or near
Council Bluffs, la railroad bridge
across the Missouri river on the Inc
of railroad between either Clay or
Jackson counties, Missouri, and the
county of Wyspdotte, Kansas; a
bridge across the Missouri river near
Atchison, Kss.; a railroad bridge
across the Missouri river at or near
Saline City, Mo-; railroad bridge
across the Missouri river near the
city of st. Charles, Mo. railroad
bridge at or near the city of st, Joseph,
Mo-. a railroad bridge across the Mis-
souri, river rear Chamberlain, Oak.
The interstate co nmerce bill was
then taken up. Toe pending question
YVES on Senfsor Camden's proposed
amendment 10 strike out the words
iron the same point OF departure"
from the lcpg and shori haul clause
of the bill.
Senator Cullom offended the bill
The committee bad given the subject
Of long and shoTL hauls good deal of
consideration, and had not felt it safe
to 60 further than the State of Massa,
chusetts had gone in that matter. No
county in Tho would had absolute
long and short haul laws for railroads,
There was IN this country belief
that the shot haul people were
swindled in order to make up for losses
on the long haul. The committee
had endeavored, by this bill, to pre-
vent the possibility of the railroads
recoupiDg themselves out of the short
haul people for losses on the long
haul. The committee, he said, had
not been able TO bring their judgment
to the conclusion that it ould be
wise 10 insist that there should never
be grea er charge for a shorter than
for a longer haul. He wished such a
law could wisely be passed, but if
passed as things were, such a law
would be greatly injurious to the bust.
ness of the country.
Senator Sherman could not see how
the Committee-having recognized tbs
long and short haul principle-could
resist the amendment proposed by
Senator Camden. Without that amend
ment double the rate from Chicago
to New York might be charged from
Pittsburg 10 New York. That would
be a great injustice to Pittsburg. 1t
was impossible 10 stop short of extend
ing the long and short haul principle
to interior points on railroads, if it
was TO be applied to great terminal
points on the same railroads. Ii there
was any justice controlling railroad
rates to extreme points, the principle
must be extended to intermediate
pointe. But it was said it sometimes
cost mora for short haul than a long
one. That was not 60; it could not be
80. 1t bad never been shown to be
so. There was no ground of equity
for larger charge on q short haul
than longer one. II we were
to make q rule about it
at all, we could not escape
going the whole way. Any other rule
would utterly destroy all the interme-
data towns and cities. One of the
great evils OF our time was the coucen-
tration in our cities-the result of rail-
road arrangements-at tha expenee of
Il cal communities. The weight on the
few words which Senator Camden had
moved TO strike out (ftom the same
point of departure) showed that the
object was to keep up the privilege of
making heavy charges from local
points in Ohio, Indiana and West Vir-
ginia, and all intermediate points.
Senator Miller opposed the amend
ment, and Senators Harris and Beck
advocated it.
Senator Conger also favored it. The
people Of Michigan, he said, had for
years been suffering extortion from
railroad overcharges. The bill, as it
stood now, was in favor of the great
cities aud against small towns and
rural districts. He ridicHled the idea
that the general provision of the bill
relating to extortionate charges was of
any uss against corporations. If the
railroad managers OF the United States
had come together they could not have
gotten up bill better calculated to
serve their interests against tie water
routes than this bill would serve them.
If the bill passed, there would be no
further need Of improving our water
communicaiions-the railroads would
have the water courses absolutely uu-
der their control.
After an executive session the Sem
ate adjourned.
The House.
A Senate bill passed extending for
f~r,,. rr;l % 1909 N