The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-05-26
INTERSTATE COMMERCE
SPEECH 0P Hun. {. C. WALPHALL,
OF MISSISSIPPI
Dehcered 70, the .SeaQte ef he t'a'ted Sfates,
Noaday, Nay 10, 1886.

Moaday Nay 10, 1856
IN senate. &c in Committee Of ths Whole, hay-
suder confederation tae "iH :. l552l 70 regulate
eonmerce-
Nr WalthalI said
Mr.. PRCsIOgNr: I have listened with
much interest - tbe discussion Of the
pending measure, and have given the
subject some independent consideration
Nv determination j. 20 vote for this bill
miles il shall b. so amended a. to make
It m IRE Objectionable than when il ame
from the hands of the committee, though
il does not, in some Of it, important fea
tures, meet the approval Of my iIdg
ment ] feel sure II IL not presented II
perfect measure by its distinguished
author who has exhibited such marked
ability and fairness in MS patient effort
70 solve one Of the most porpexing prob
ie ms Of the age, for his experience has
taught him that those who have consil
cred the subject most maturely have
found in IL the greatest difficulties.
II It we're proven here 70 day that
rlilrOad companies are not now oppress
Ing the people in their dealings with
them wolld still support any re tsona
Bile Congressional measure looking To
their supervision and control, because OF
the undsniable fact that such oppression
in the absence OF legal restraint, is pos
sible, and no adequate protection can be
afforded b7 81 ste laws. 1t we but cDn
slider ~ i'm measurable the railroad ia
terest of this country has become, how
vast is the wealth, and how immense the
powers Of tese eorpDratiOn4, the neces-
sity forces itself upon Us 10 set, If we
4. / . Il
in their business transactions with the
pc lple Of the cJuntrv. Their lines 20
dly stretch out 40, 700 miles and their
ownership is estimated to equal one sixth
OF the entire possessions of all the peo
pie living under our Government. To
this many millions are being added
yearly by the Construction Of th)psau Is
Of miles Of new rIllrJAd. 1t has not
been many years since all the railroad
prJpsrty ia the L ltOn was worth less
tltn the amount of this yearly adIi
tiOn.
The people pay these companies over
eight hundred millions year for trans
p0rtatiDn, and the commodities trans
ported run mp 20 fifteen billions year
in value. Ii is estimated that eighteen
hundred thousand men are employed in
constructing and operating railroads
som OF these companies have more pa
trUntge to bestow than a Cabinet officer
and some of their presidents have been
paid larger salaries than the President
of the United States. Many of them re-
gsive aud disburse vastly more money
per aunum than passes through the
treasury OF many Of the States of the
Union. The men at the head of some Of
them are among the abiest business men
ia ths nttiIn. Ihey have weIltl, to
employ talent and power TO command
iul fence. Tney are organizes for gain,
aud those who manage them, however
just and liberal they may be as men,
manage them for gain aud are inf len ced
by the same considerations which control
the m lnagers of other purely business
institutions.
Every interest in this country is de
pendent upon railroads; agriculture and
commerce are especially at their mercy.
With all this power in their hands no
m an can give valid reason why these
corporations should not be put under the
wholesome restraints of the Law, and the
oppressive exercise Of their power made
impossible. II il no answer 20 say that
self interest will prevent them from i'm
posing undue burdens on traffic lest their
business suffer by its falling off If the
burdens are possible what objection can
there be to the double guarantee against
them of both self interest and the law ?
The very tendency of power, lodge it
where you will Is toward abuse, and
railroad power forms no exception to
the rule | have no word of denuneia
tiOn for the railroad managers of the
country as a class. They ar as worthy
as the m IN of any other class; they are
L = -.
they are SO aud are influenced by The
same motives that influence other men
that | want their power placed under
control.
Tne contest between the people and
she railroad companies originated in,
aud is kept alive and stimulated by, th'
same motive in both the parties, an
that the m Itive of self-interest. Ole
wants the service for the lowest price,
and the other demands the highest price,
jIst as other men in other callings buy
for the lowest and sell for the highest
price they can. The instinct of gain Is
strong rs it is natural, aud we expect to
see aud do see the evidences of it In
every liue of trade, in every department
Of business, in every phase OF human IN
dustry, aud in all the business dealings
Of men'with eicl. other The merchant
does not sell barrel of -four for eight
dollars if he can get nine dollars for it
NJ m IRE does the cotton planter sell his
proddce for S cents per pound it he can
gst9. NJ tradesman, no professional
mtn, nor labJring man puts lower
price on his wares or his work when he
can get higher one as readily.
Bat iu dealing with each other We
have the alvtutag5 of dealing at arms
length, VIII ch IS our protection. When
the merchant charges given price for
his good, we are not bound 10 buy from
hIm, a. there are other merchants and
other IN lrkets. Nor is he bound to pur
chase our pro luce at the price We name
Nor Is one man bound to employ or be
employed 10y any other particular man
Tor service at price named, there being
OrtheT men ready TO serve or to be
served. But when we deal with railroad
companies we have not this liberty,
th ugh it may be true that we are not
literally bound TO ship our produce by
railroad if the price does not suit US
PrActict ally, we are bound to d. it or
Lose the privilege of marketing our prod
uce, aud thus We really have no choice
There Is no other railroad in reach, or,
If there be, competition Is destroyed by
an agreement that the charges on both
roads snail be the same We have no
voice in the contract; the terms are die
lated by ole OF the contracting par
ties, aud the other must accept or do
worse.
Railroad terms, it is fair to say, are
not alays exorbitant; often they are not
only reasonable but extremely low. For
instance, during the New Orleans Expo
s1Llon passengers were carried from the
town live I'M to New Orleans aud back,
about 600 miles the round trip, for about
30, ald at the same rate from other points,
one cent mile, when the regular price
Itself quite reasonable - was three
cents.
Other excursion trips are constantly
eelng made on other roads st greatly re :
duced rates. These rates are often so
low AS to be barely remunerative; still
they pay something, otherwise they
would not be given. But 10 these cases
the people aud the companies deal at
arms length, as the people deal with
each other. The people were not bound
10 90 10 the Exposition, but might 60 or
not, as the price made it to their advan
tage or not and it was to the advantage
OF the railroad companies to induce
them to gh self interest, has usnal, con-
Trolling both parties. But we never
heard of reduction corresponding to