The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1886-10-29

made his report, and invite your care.
full inspection of 1t for the ascertainment
OF many details pertaining to one of the
leading and important-and In some re-
spects the most mpOrtant-interest Of
the State.
AS part of his report, the Commission
er says. "ln my judgment some addition
al legislation Is required In OrdertO make
the office of the Railroad Commissioner
Of practical use to the public" implying,
at least, that this office, under existing
laws Is Of no practical service to the pub
lie. This conclusion Is doubtless in ac-
cord with the popular sentiment on the
subject. but lam unabletO fully adoptthe
proposition. The report Of our able
Commissioner is In my opinion of great
value, and this Office has secured 1t to
you. This much, at least, has been
gained by and through the office.
Under existing laws prescribing the
duty of the Commissioner, he is required
to ''repOrt what further legal provision
should In his opinion be adopted in rela-
ton to railroads." In the performance
of his duty in this behalf, the Commits
siOner makes several important sugges-
lions, which may be properly treated as
recommendations, and, in view Of their
official source, they are entitled to great
weight and merit, and doubt not will
have your earnest consideration.
In connection with and as part of
this subject, call your attention to the
not unyexed one of
RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
There has been much legislation in
reference to or connected with this SUBJ
ject of railroads, mostly, however, ven-
ture to say, in aid or protection of them,
yet in the main necessary, wholesome
and just. The idea that at this time
there is occasion for further legislation
on the subject. and that, too, in the in
terest of the public, prevails very gen.
orally. And by consulting the report
of the Commissioner, you will notice
that his suggestions or recommendations
are numerous and important. This re-
port did not come to me until very late,
consequently my opportunity for con-
sideration of it has been quite INSULT
cient to enable me to do more than call
your attention to it., and to impress upon
you its importance. Should you SO leg
islate as to meet the recommendations of
the Commissioner, you will, in my opin-
ion, accomplish much towards meeting
the proper demands of the public.
These recommendations have nv ap-
proval.
But it is said that further legislation
on this subject cannot be effective save
by creating a
RAILROAD COMMISSION.
and investing it with enlarged powers
and authority over railroad affairs, even
to the extent of fixing and regulating
the toll or rate of transportation. And
believe that the object and ends of fur
ther desirable legislation can be best Sc
cured through a Commission, and that |
the existence of Commission invested |
with such powers and authority as are
given to like Boards in several of the |
States, Massachusetts and New York for |
instance, would 60 far towards curing or |
removing all real or fancied grievances.
And experience in other States has dem
onstrated that where competent Commits
sioners, properly empowered, have made !
examination as to alleged grievances,
and upon finding them real and well
founded have made such recommends
lions to the railroads complained of as |
the Board deemed called for, there has
been, with rare exceptions, a prompt and
ready compliance with the recommends
lions of the Board, and this, too, where
the Board is powerless to enforce its
The Commission, if one should be
created by your legislative action, should
doubtless be empowered and required to
report to future Legislatures, as to all
complaints received, and examinations
and recommendations by it made, and also
what, If any, further legislation is re-
quired.
Another question about which there is
some diversity Of opinion is, should the
Commission have power given it to apply
to the Courts for the enforcem of its
In my opinion, such
power should not be given without pro-
viding that the Court applied to shall
not enforce such recommendations, un-
less, or only so far as it (the Court) shall
find them just and reasonable. That the
Legislature has power in the premises to
he extent suggested have no doubt,
but this alone is no reason for exercising
While I believe that the interests of
he public require legislative action in
he direction above suggested, [ feel GER
ain that many of the honestly enter
aimed grievances of the people against
our railroads and their management are
lot we'll founded, and that some of the
most important of their complaints cali
lot be successfully reached short of or
without national Legislation, such as was
fought through the Interstate Commerce ,
Bill. In confirmation, quote with I
pleasure from the message Of my ac- +,
,omplished predecessor, Ex-Governor {
3arstow. He said upon this subject, {
No Board or Legislature can reach out {
ide the State, and much that is wrong I
n these matters is the result of the