San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-04-07
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1885.
THAT LAWLER RESOLUTION.


The resolution Of Congressman Lawler,
of Illinois, for a committee of investiga-
tion into the causes of the recent rail
way troubles in the west, is pertinent
and timely. Ii cannot be sneered out of
notice, no matter what action Congress
may take in the matter. The resolution
reads
Resolved, That the Committee on Labor be
aud is hereby directed to investigate into the
underlying causes OF these differences exist
ing between employees and employers of rail
way companies and other common carriers,
and to that end may send for persons and pa
pers administer Oaths, and compel the attend
auCe Of witnesses, and NAV employ stenO-
grapher, who shall be paid such reasonable
compensation as said committee may direct;
and the said committee may sit during the SEES
siOns of the House and report what legislation
in their opinion is necessary to bring these
troubles and differences TO "A satisfactory con
ClusiOn; and the sum of SJUOO or so much
thereof rs may be necessary, is hereby author
lied to be expended from the contingent fund
of the House for the purpose of this nvestiga-
ton. the accounts therefor 10 be approved by
the chairman Of said committee.
This resolution is one which, If adop-
ted, would place Jay Gould face TO face
with his wOrkingmen on equal terms,
which a million honest citizens have
been asking fer month past: What
course has Jay Gould secretly pursued
TO bring about this open war between
the Missouri Pacific road and the men it
employs? The inquiry which Mr.. Pow
DERBY sought, unsuccessfully, to reach
through Gay GOuld's consent thereto,
would be set on foot by the only author
ity competent to compel his answer.
Congress has jurisdiction in this matter.
The Missouri Pacific road only exists by
and consent of the American people,
whose agent Congress is. To entrust
to private individuals the functions Of
government, as is done when private
parties are made the carriers of persons
and intelligence, is always a mistake,
and when done should only be done un.
der the most rigid provisions and ample
safeguards. The inquisition Of Congress,
or State Legislature, into the business
methods of all the chartered corpora
tions entrusted with governmental, or
semi-governmental functions, should be
regular, thorough and frequent. Gov
eminent has no right to relegate such Il
work as that OF carrying its citizens
from point to point to any private hands.
There is a manifest incongruity in plac-
ing the convenience, comfort and safety
of all citizens in private hands and thus
jeopardizing them by every ill advised
course, Of which such parties. unduly
entrusted with power, might be guilty.
The inquiry sought to be instituted by
Mr.. LAWYERS resolution should not be
delayed one day beyond the time need
full to set 1t on foot. 1t is only through
such an investigation that the people Of
this country will ever learn what they
are justly entitled to know, viz: the true
inwardness Ofthe relations of the Missou-
ri Pacific road to its employees. This road
Ia not private corporation. 1t is char
tered by government, received a subsidy
from the public lands, is acting for the
government as its agent for the conduct
Of an Interstate commerce and is di-
rectly accountable to government for its
acts as such common carrier, besides
being accountable through its officers TO
the law by which they are bound.