The Washington critic., 1886-12-17
WASHINGTON, DECEMBER II, 1856.
INTERSTATE COMMERCIAL BILL
THAT OuGHT 10 PASS.


the same exemption from legislative In
reference that is accorded to ordinary
business pursuits, implies a singular
forgetfulness on the part of these great
corporations of the peculiar position
they occupy in the commerce of the
States, and the commanding influence
they are capable of oXertlng upon the
markets. to say soothing of the fact that
in many instances they have been the
recipients Of enormous largesscs from
Congress, and as debtors to the Gov
ernment, have been treated with un
paralleled leniency.
The railroad companies never com.
plain of legislation that secures to them
extraordinary privileges and immuni.
ties. 1t is only the legislation which
undertakes to regulate their use of
these benefits in the interest of the
public with which they find fault.
None of them were ever known to re.
fuse a land grant yet none of them
ever failed to vehemently protest
against the forfeiture of grant, even
when they had never earned 1t. Laws
that are all on their side, permitting
them to do as they please, are emi-
nently acceptable laws that lean to
the side of the people, permitting the
roads TO do as they please only as they
are pleased to do right, are regarded
with indignant disfavor.
Fortunately, there is no question as
to the constitutional power of Congress
in the premises. In matter so init
mately concerning the welfare of mil
lions of people--producers, consum'
ers and dealers---as the transportation of
what is produced, consumed or dealt
in, 1t were calamitous indeed If no
checks could be interposed to the ra-
pacity of the transportation lines. The
trainers of the Constitution wisely pro-
yided for an emergency, of which in its
present formidable proportions, they
could have had but faint foreknowl
edge.
The Interstate Commerce bill, now
pending before Congress, Is an out.
growth of this emergency. 1t Is de.
signed to meet an urgent necessity.
1t more nearly approaches perfection
than any legislation that has ever been
had or attempted upon the same sub.
ject. 1t is the work of men who have
given years of laborious investigation
10 the questions involved. 1t is the
fruit Of concession and compromise as
la, irh ,n1 IN
be regarded as in a certain sense the
special friend of the railway corpora
tions, and the House, which has always
been understood to represent more
nearly the interests of the unincorpo.
rated people.
The bill places the roads under re-
strictions which are believed to be
Just, as to rates of transportation, dis
ordinations against shippers, charges
for short and long hauls and pooling
between competing lines. 1t consti.
tutes commission for the hearing of
complaints and adjustment of damages.
AT the same time 1t permits aggrieved
parties who are skeptical about the in
corruptibility Of commissions to seek
their remedies through the regularly
established courts of the United States
1t is intended TO thoroughly pro-
tect the interests of the people without
infringing upon the charter privileges
or vested rights of the railroads. and
no doubt appears to be entertained Of
its entire acceptability to o large ma
jority of both Houses of Congress. II
is equally undoubted that the railroad
companies will spare no effort to pre-.
vent its becoming a law.
The Importance, therefore, of the
earliest possible action upon the bill
is evident. There was never measure
which depended more largely for sue.
cess upon immediate consideration.
Every days delay is so much lost to
the friends--so much gained to the op
ponents of the bill, and if the latter, by
encouraging prolonged debate, by the
manifold influences of the lobby, by
artifice or stratagem, or by any means
whatever, can stave 1t off to the closing
hours of the session, they will have
gained their purpose and secured au,
other two years lease at least of un
bridled power.
The bill is in good hands, however
and both Senator Culom and Judge
Reagan, who have labored so long ant
zealously to bring this legislation tC
its present advanced stage, have strong
hopes OF overcoming all opposition
whatever shape 1t may take, ant
forcing the measure to an early pas
sage,
The ferment in Ireland is not likely
10 be soothed by the forcible arrest o
John Dillon and William O'Brien a
the Loughrea rent meeting yesterday
].