National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-06

The most valuable Of the various reports
submitted 90 Congress, or either house
thereof, by committees that were author
lzeu to pursue their inquiries during the
long vacation Of last year is that of Senator
'Culloms select committee which was APP
pointed to investigate and report upon the
subject of the regulation of the transporta-
ton Of frcights and passengers between
the several states by railroad and water
routes. No committee of Congress has
ever given more faithful attention to its
duties, and none has succeeded In collect
ing and presenting, in clear concise, and
effective shape, q greater amount of valua-
bic information. Other committees have
presented much more voluminous reports
Indeed, some committees appear to have
made themlstal;e Of supposing that value
Of their lalors must be estimated by the num-
Der Of pages which they would hand to the
printer. But the Cullom report fairly
bnstles with good points, tersely put, and
is q magazine Of great facts ascertained by
experience and observation.
The regulation of commerce between the
states is one of the great problems OF the
age. Most Of those who have undertaken
to discuss 1t have succeeded in displaying
their ailuencc Of msiuformation. While
there Is no doubt as to the right of
the federal government 10 lcgislate upon
interstate commerce, there are grave
doubts as to what extent that right
may be iudiciouslY exercised. When the
fathers put this power into the constitu.
ton there were neither. railroads MOI
canals in the country. The commerce OF
which they knew, as compared to that
which Congress is asked to regulate, was
asa grain Of sand to a mountain. Tue
growth and development Of the country
have changed the conditions Of commerce
in all respects, but, great as the change:
have been, the power TO regulate still re.
mains and will be held Just where the
fathers put It.
And yet the people of the United States
however much they may desire TO resist
the entertainments Of corporations, do no
/ want too much of the paternal In our gov
eminent They recognize that railroad
/ corporations have rights that the railroad
has been, aud must continue to be, TIL
/ great factor in our material PROCESS. Thel
know that oppressive laws, which would
seriously impair the value of property in rail
roads prevent them from earning fair divl
| dends on actual investments, would be inju
/ rious to all interests It's best for the farme
( and the manufacturer, best for the pro
Queer and the consumer, that the railroad
should be able to keep their tracks aul
rolling stock in good order, and in condition
to do their work promptly and well.
II tue government were to undertake T.
manage the business of the roads an,
should so bluuler rs to break them down
the evils of legislation would be far in ex
cess Of any possible good, While Their
should be a limit fixed to eXtortlon-fo
cXtorton Is possible where there is no con
petltion-it would be scarcely possible 70
the government to regulate charges in a,
cases. Some roads can afford much lowe
rates than others. There are many local
ties where residents ought 10 be thankfu
that capital has given them railway cor
nection with the rest Of the world, eve
though they pay freight and passenge
rates twice or three times as high as thos
charged in densely populated states.