National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-06-14

The successful Inauguration OF cable
railroad In Washington, with It's clean,
comfortable, and rapid cars, will undoubt-
edly, by its wholesome competition with the
dirty, inconvenient, and slow ones Of the
present horse railway companies, seriously
affect the enormous profits the stockholders
of the latter now enjoy, and 1t is not
strange that they and theirs should protest
against business rivalry that will compel
them to abandon their old-fashloned
methods and sleepy ways and adopt in
their stead more modern system, that If
more costly and less profitable, is at least
better suited to the needs OF the long SUI
fering public.
1t is very natural that those who now
have exclusive possession OF the streets
should protest against any Interference,
but we do not believe Congress has any in
terest in the perpetuatlon Of the present
horse car monopoly, and confidently
expect that 1t will approve Of the PROPOSE
tion Of some Of our most intelligent aud
public-spirited citizens, as embodied in the
cable bill.
The measure has been carefully prepared
by the District committee after a patient
hearing of all parties interested pro and
con- andis hedged about with precautionary
clauses and wise restriction, and will, II It
becomes a law, mark an era IN the material
growth and prosperity of our beautiful
city. The best peopleof Washington favor
It, and the only ones opposed, aside from
the direct and indirect beneflclnries OF the
present horse car monopoly, are OF that
harmless class whose unfortunate visual
obliquity has shut out that portion of the
universe that lies beyond their noses.
The suggested amendments to the bill
that have been concocted by the cunning
attorneys Of the horse,car monopoly come
with poor grace from them. Has II ever
occurred to them that what is offered as
sauce for the cable goose may prove also
equally necessary for the monopoly gander,
and that any restrictions that are not appli-
cable and salutary for the present horse-car
monopoly cannot in common fairness be
added TO the franchise Of new company
that starts out with an honest intention of
meeting healthful public want as well as
incidentally lessening the grasp of great
monopoly on the streets Of this city?
Any suggestions that thus emanate, how
ever plausably put forth, can have but one
purpose, and we sincerely hope that the
District committee will not endauger the
success of their bill by the acceptance Of
any Of them, but rather insist upon the
adoption of the measure as reported. The
high character of the gentlemen named in
the bill as incorporators, with the carefully
worded restrictive clauses added by the
committee, is q sufficient guarantee that
the purposes of the bill will be honestly
and speedily attained. To speak of the
cable system of street cars as experimental
is to display ignorance.
There is not well-informed person but
knows that It is practically success In San
Francisco, st. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago,
Philadelphia, and New York, and we doubt
II single representative from any Of those
cities In the present Congress can be found
to deny 1t.
Instead OF fighting against the march of
| Improvement 1t would be much wiser IL the
horse car companies would bow to the in
| evitable and ask of Congress for such a
change in the law as will enable them to
dispose Of their horses, stables, and un,
slightly rails and substitute therefor the
cable system with its quiet, rapid cars and
smooth streets. To be sure IL would tenn.
| porarily lessen their dividends, but 1t would
accommodate their patrons, and In the end
prove profitable change, besides restoring
the good will and confidence Of the public.