Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1886-01-26

you INTO existence. the good YOU we're
TO co, has failed. and se proposs. II yoa
are unable to operats tins line, to give
yoa lass compensation for yoar proper
": There 10 no confiscstion IN this
Dill IL proposes. in the fAiress and
most equitable manner, and after due
investigation IN The courts and fuil in
formation, when all parties are beard,
70 assess the value OF the property Of
tne oeifnqusns company; il proposes to
pat II up TO poblis auction and have it
oring TIE fullest compensation, and then
10 allow the company that will take this
property, pay for and operate 1t, 10 ac-
quire title to it.
NOV, II Il - possible for the ineenuity
OF any oppeneut of this bill TO suggest
any anfair feature contained 10 II, TO
suggest any disturbance of vested rights
or any injury to the property of any
corporation II this Territory, | voald
be most happy to listen 10 such arsu
Bent
IL is impossible, gentlemen, for an
argument to be presented against this
bill, IN reason or in authsrity. from the
law books That such legislation IL
within the scope of these Houses. have
not doubt. Ny friend. tie houorabls
gentleman from King, think has some
authorities on his desk; al any rate, |
know that be 10 familiar with them all,
having Examined the sutiect since this
Dill came up, and the authorities are
complete and full, and the weight is
overwhelming that this Legislature has
the power to enact this bill, and not
only TO enact II. but iR q much more
summary manner II might provide for
toe condemnation Of the prop rty Of
oorpcrations when they are dsiiuQ1ent
10 their service TO the public; bat this
10 guarded to the fullest extent. Ii has
avoided any tendency or intention of
aHfairness In It's treatment of the prep-
srty OF corporations, buI cones forth to
secure to the people and TO the property
holders who are served by corporations
created by authority Of law that seryise
for which the corporation 10 created.
NOW, you can well imagine. gentle
men, Just what will occur in this Fsrri-
tory II this bill does not become a Law.
You already well know what has oe
Cured. You know that there are miles
Of railway IN this Territory that are no.
operated. That property has been con-
demned, tracks laid down. and compet-
ing lines kept out, because whenever
you build railway on one line, YOU
will not have competing line parallel
the road buIlt.
In our Territory that cannot occur
within any reasonable number Of years.
You thus allow railroad company to
lay down its track, take the property of
the people in tie community where it
rams, and deprive that community OF
railroad service. / am presenting no
fancy sketch to you, because il exists
both IN the eastern and western portions
of the Territory.
do not know for what cause the Sc
reads have ceased to be operated; but II
10 the duty of the State 10 protect its
people and see that the roads are oper
sted. Ii the companies are unable to
operate them, then We will take and
transfer the propsrty upon valid consid-
erations TO companies that will operate
them. This 10 fsir-this is right--and
il is unobjectionAble.
The importance of this question 10 my
only reason for talking upon 10, for /
do not feel very well this mornin tu,
do consider the bill as 90 far reaching
In its effects, and of such vital necessity
IN the nov and future condition OF this
Territory, that l am anxious 70 see IL
become Law.