The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1886-11-20
LOAD SUPERVISION LAW IN
MISSISSIPPI.


.,,t,cians, because tney haVo A~u Ao ga
~. IN the management Of such prop
f'ep nave no interest in making the
.smept r ,munerative'
Tbe strict enforcement OF the law
inna a.d 70 the encouragement of manufac-
res in the State. ..o ,to.o
.s asartb-The surplus products OF the state
~ AGRICULTURAL and manufacturing mus
amarkets beyond the limits OF the e'a'e'
,bo laws of Mississippi are powerless 10
Tsct or regulate Interstate traffic. The laws
mississippi are only operative within the
~. .of the State on the small volume OF
bmestic traffic. o.rn
ynns railroads must be permittedito earn
.nar enough to maintain the property, anu
W. I = in hest physical condition to serve the
IN .s,,o and to do this they must be allowed
M rates AZ will enable them to pay the IL
m sast on their capital, after providing lor
perating expenses ,o,
sIxth-The reduction of charges on the Vol-
ma Of domestic traffic transported rom
oInt to point along the railroads wlthln 'he
,o,e will necessarily force an increase IN 'he
soroes on the large volume Of traffic coming
nm and going to points beyond the i'mi's u
be State
seventh-It is fact that not one railroad
N the state Of Mississippi has ever paid one
ber centum per annum IN DIVIDENDS 10 'ne
tockholders whose money and tlme nave
been given to the construction OF the rail-
Dads now in the State.
Eighth-lt is q fact that nearly every rali-
\ Rosdl in the State has become bankrupt anu
nonv of them have.gone through the courts
IN nh.nkruptcy and been sold. The reason for
h,s IL that their earning capacity has not
S,een sufficient to produce money enough u
nav current expenses and provide for the in
ferest charges on their bonded debt. Thls II
nrincipally owing to the limited volume OF
traff,c. and the sparsely settled country they
run through; and, If it were not 1or th'
Through traffic they coutrol, destined 1or
|noints beyond the limits of the State, there
Iis NOT n single railroad in the State OF Missis
sippi that could earn Its operating expenses !,
10 say nothing of providing for the interest on
Its bonded debt.
Ninth-It is q well-Anown fact that the
people in different parts of the State have
voted taxes upon themselves as subsidies 10
get railroads built for the convenience ana
development of the state, and in order TO en-
hance the value of their property; and we
claim that when intelligent people tax them
selves voluntarily for this purpose, 1t Is the
strongest evidence that they do not believe
that railroads are inimical to their interest,
and that they are willing they shall be paid
reasonable rates for services posiormed.
Tenth-We claim that self-interest alone on
the part of railroads, if no other motive actu-
ated their management, would lead them 10
foster and develop the resources OF the state
in order to give their roads increased busl'
ness. The charge made that railroad man
ayers seek to destroy one place to build up
another, is not worthy Of attention or respect
from any well.intormed man in the commu-
nity. Commercial centers have their geo
graphical advantages, and manipulation can
alter or change these natural positions.
Eleyenth-We assert that railroads have q
direct interest in agriculture, mines, manu-
factures and all kinds of industrial enter
prses, and that their interest in the develop
ment of all these branches of trade and
industry, so as to increase the volume OF
their traffic. will dictatate q just policy, with
out any attempted restricted legislation.
Twelfth-The cIamor in favor OF CONTROL ng, by
unjust and impracticabe legislation the property
Others is in the interest Of and is actuaed ny
spirit of communism ; and this has been especially
visited upon railroads, because they are a species
of property that Icannot be moved beyond th'
reach of demagogues and communists, and II II
thought that the spolaion of tbs property OF cor
porate bodies may be attempted without calling
forth the indignation that would be aroused If thu
were attempted Oh other business interests In th'
Community.
Thirteenth-The claim of right to appoint on
person to manage the lawful business OF another
is in its essence communism Carried to its logica
result 1t would deprive every citizen of the right +
manage his own business, and put him under disa
b,lity like q minor. instead Of recognizing him a
man capable of managing his own affairs If
business is unlawful prohibit it. Ifitis lawful, le
the owner manage 1t himself and thus encOurag g
enterprise and thrift 1fit is right for the majorit
to use the government to appoint guardians owe
owners ofrailroads, why not over merchants, fti
mers doctors, bankers, printers, BARRIERS ,.mechar
les and laborers The true rule Is, to makeJus an
impartial laws, and make everybody obey then
DuU never 10 put one man over aHotHer man
lawful business. If the opposite principle prevail
this commune, alias the majority, will become
tyrant, and will tell us what we shall drink or ea
or wear or in what Church we shall worship an
what political party we shall support. Is this Do
mocracy: This spirit Of communism tends drecil
to the destruction of individual liberty ana til
right OF private property, and will in the end,
not: checked, crush out all personal energy an
manhood.
Fourteenth-We believe that the majority shon
rule In matters ofproper.. governmental concerl
but not In permitting the majority to oppress an
commit wrong and spcliation upon the minority.
Fiftecnth-We affirm that every lndividusl und,
our system of government should be recognized
the w as free sgent, responsible for his action
ana entitled to reap the reward Of his energy. thri
ana itelligence, when engaged in lawful pursuit
Sixteenth-If the spirit Of communism no
advocated by political demOgogues. shall he su
cessf' In destroying the property OF corporation
the next step will he to make war on priva
property,-on landed, manufacturing agriculture
financial and commercial interests, or what ey,
pursuits wealth has been or can be invested In,
Seventeenth II wrong has been done the uuLl
interests through the agency o. unscrupul ms nj,
dishonest spcculat0rs In IN load p.oprr,y. NAL