Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-18

evidence that local rates of railroads
throughout the country are reason
able, is to be found in the pres.
perity of local points all over the
country, and by comparison with
railroad charges elsewhere in the world. 1t
has sometimes been assumed that competi
ton does not exist at what are called local
points" but this is not true. The desire of
railroad 10 increase the volume of its
business must always depend for its sup
port, as against sometimes quite far distant
regions served by other railroads tributary
to the same or competing markets. consti-
tutes active competition. The rates be-
tween local points on the line of railroad
in northern and central Iowa and the mar
kets of Chicago and St Louis influence rates
between local points on the road in SOUTH
ern Iowa and those markets. and vice versa.
Again, between two railroads. even if they
are nslderabie distances apart, there is,
about half way, belt of country, the in
habitants OF which can generally go by eithe'
road, and the contest between the railroads
to secure the business of that belt influ-
encfs prices OF transportation not only on
that particular traffic but also on other
business which is transacted at the same
stations on the respective roads, Railroads
must remain in the country where they
are, whatever happens and their punish
ment for excessive charges while il would
be less slow in coming than that of the in
dividual merchant, would be far more Ger
tam and severe, because their business would
be ruined, or other roaIs would be built as
a permanent competition. Nevertheless. il
is true, and Will remain true as long as
railroads are conducted on business prin-
cipleS, that the trade centers will be better
able to obtain lower rates OF transporta
ton than local points, for precisely the
same reason that such places are able to
obtain many convenienceS and luxuries
which local points do not and cannot en-
joy. Those who desire water and gas in
their house., or many and cheap amuse-
ments, or the lowest rates of freight, must
go to where there are enough other persons
who desire the same to make it profitable
to supply them. This is not because the
railroads desire it to be SO. but because.
in the nature OF things it must be so.
1t is manifestly not for the interest of any
railroad to arbitrarily drive business away
from local point where it carries all there
is TO point where the traffic must be di-
vided with other roads. 1t has been said
that railroads make trade centers, but such
Is not the fact. The tendency of railroads
is to put different trade centers on an
equality by the annihilation of distance,
but they no more make centers
OF population and trade than do
other manufacturers or trades, who seek
such points for their own profit.
Most, If not all, of the cases of alleged I'M
reasonableness in railroad charges will,
upon careful investigation, be found to be
due to misapprehension or misunder-
.standing Of the facts. The experience OF
State Commissions shows this to be true.
TO require absolute publicity of rates, and
that changes should not be made without
.lnhlic nnfIcp yvn1lH ha
ence to the business community
The Senate and House This Week,
WASHINGTON, January 17th-.The past
week having been devoted by the Senate
largely to speech-making and executive
business, the calendar remains almost as it
was at the beginning of the week, with
Sespect to the measure of general legisla-
ition. The judicial salary bill is unfinished
business. The Dakota bill. bankruptcy
bill and electoral count hill are to be
brought forward for debate and action IS
Soon as possible, and an understanding will
probably be reached on Monday or Tues
day by the Senators respectively in charge
OF these measures, as to the order in which
they shall be taken up. Senator Harrison's
RESOLUTION, looking to an inquiry into GER
tain statements of the Commissioner of
Pensions regarding the official acts of his
Predecessors, and Senator Voorhees, sub
stitute FOR it. are still pending Senator
flustis has given notice of his intention to
oeliver speech on Tuesday upon his reso-
luton to pay in silver the bonds that have
been called for redemption on the 1st of
February. This resolution, with Mr.. Beck,s
substitute for it, is still in the Finance
Committee, with no probability of receiv-
ing early action.
In the House. tomorrow, after the ir-
trDlnPtinn hills L.
called for motions to pass measures. one
tor each committee. under a suspension OF
the rules. A two-thir1s vote is requisite
in every instance. The Committee on
Military Affairs viii avail itself of this OF
porunity of bringing before the House a
bill appropriating $500 600 to purchase the
old Produce Exchange building in New
York City, for armory purposes. Among
the more important measures that are
likely to be passed in committee and re-
ported to the House this week are the bills
known as the Mcpherson bfff IN the last
Congress, authorizing national banks to
increase their circulation knotes to the
full amount OF their SECURITY bonds
a bill authorizing theS Comptroller
of the Currency to sanction a
change of name and increase of canital
stock by national bank; fhe Oklahoma
bill; Mr.. Hateh's bill to create Depart
ment of Agriculture, ana Mr, Matson's bill
to increase the pension off widows. The
Boutelle resolution, relative to the Norfolk
Navy Yard, will be further considered by
the Committee on Naval Affairs tomorrow
or Tuesday. The author Of the resolution
has little doubt that it will be reported TO
the House on Wednesday. AS it is a pri-
yate resolution, immedate action can be
demanded. If the tone Of the discussion
on the measure in the committee can be
taken as an indication of the discussion to
follow in the House, that body will find
thrust upon it spirited political debate.
Pacific Coast Wine esnierests.
WASHINGTON, January Eth.-C. A. Wet
more, representing the California State Viii
cultural Association, is in Washington.
He will press upon Congress, during its
session, several measures Of direct interest
to the wine-producers of the Pacific coast.
the most important of which is to prevent
the adulteration of California sweet wines,
such as ports and sherries Mr.. Wetmore
is not yet ready with his bills, because he
wishes to consult with members of Con-
gress from Kansas, Ohio, Missouri, New
York, Virginia and Other reproducing
States before formulating any definite legis-
ative programme. f. Pohndorff. who has
been representing the California viticult-
ural interests at Louisville and New Or
ltdios Will arrive mere lHiS Week, assist
Mr.. Wetmore in his work before Congress.
Capital Notes.
WASHINGTON. January 17th.-Hon. Z. C.
Marshall and wife, and Charles l.. Weller.
of San Francisco, are in the city
The Secretary of the Navy has directed
that a vessel of the Pacific Station be sent
to the Samoan Islands.
Type-Setting Tournament.
CHICAGO, January 1zth.-Upon yester.
days figures being corrected this morning
1t was found that Levy had taken the
third prize in the type-setting contest. 1t
is impossible to get he verified table to-
night but as near as can be ascertained
the total number of ems set by each man
at the close of the tournament is: Barnes.
80, ,2104; McCann, 37,s06l; Levy, 33gis:
Hudson, 33.764l; Monheimer. 33y347l:
Creevy, 33,250; Dejarnett, 31.42s This
gives Barnes the first, McCann the second
and Levy the third prize.
National Photographers Association.
ST. LOUIS January 17th-The Executive
Committee of the National Photographers
Association have held meeting, and de-
cided to hold their next annual Convention
in Music Hall, this city commencing july
23d. In order to encourage disDlavs ~