Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-26
Continuing. Mr.. Wingfeld said ::

ION the one hard are the railroad cor
pOratiOns. vested with great powers and
having invested millions OF capital: on the
other hand there are citizens OF the Com
mOnwealth cOmpla lining that their powers
are used upiustly and oppressiYey; that
their interests are crushed out by being
brought 10 disadvantageOus terms: that
the roads are not managed with sufficient
care with reference TO protection. rs clti-
Zens living near to market have not the
proper facilities afforded them and do not
enjoy their proper advantages arising from
neaInPEs TO market: that at points where
two railroads connect fTeighs are so u Ned
as 10 coeTce the farmer where he shall buy
and where he shall sell. These general
statements Of complaints OF the people OF
the State II they We're told In detail. ought
to take more time than | will now con-
sumo. The people Of this state will con.
tinue to demand relief OF their public ser
wants, with a rising storm OF Indignation.
until that relief is granted.
There is now on the statute.bOO law
TO afford specific relief upon certain line
Of grievances. In order TO have that bill
carried out we heed n man of the highest
character. q bold and original mind TO grasp
the power Of complaint, and man OF The
highest order of ability. Will call the ri.
tention of you gentlemen to one sect ION OF
the Railroad Commissioners bill passed
1879 II. The ninth section reads: me
Railroad Commits iOner snail make an an
nua report TO the Legislature Of mis- dOlngS,
Including such statement OF facts. &C. &c
." Now, cir, IL seems,to me II we mad had
such a commissioner in the past 10 pave
collected data there could have been drawn
general conclusions from the data collected
that would have given the irst proper step
upon this veXed question. with such data
collected. with such general conclusions
drawn therefrom, this General Asse mOy
would have been prepared 10 have taken
hold OF this matter advisedly. and to have
enacted proper legislation for the relief Of
the people OF the Commonwealth without
endangcTing the Interest OF the owners Of
these roads.
Now. sir, the question comes Is the
young man whom We have as Railroad
Commissioner such man as can collect
this data. grasp the sub ect entrusted to his
care and has he drawn these general con-
illusions? Has he made a report In conform
ity with the provisions OF this section? !
say. sir. he has done nothing Of the kind.
Here Is mis- report and IL Is sufficient evi
dence in the case. | say. Sir that he Is not
such "A man. am not called TO prove neg
alive TO this report, but To prove something
affirm atively in relation to the competency
OF this official. say. sir, without fear OF
successful contradiction. that this report
proves nothing affirmative as to the COM
potency OF this official TO grapple with
these great questions. Senators may
read this report for themselves and
they Will find nothing of value in IL that
will enable them 10 deal with this
question. All. sir. that IL contains is some
thee or four pages OF commonplace gene
ialtles, utterly worthless, ana some Letters
and correspondence in isolated cases To
which his attention was called. showing
! that when bis attention was called to some
particular grievances he submitted letter
10 the railroad president, and the railroad
president gave snch relief as ne sa W proper
Now, sir. with such a report as this with
the knowledge that each senator has or
this young man, of his capacity and cali ore
shall We continue him in Office, or shall We
now take this necessary step TO prepare the
next Legislature TO deal wisely aud pro
perry with these vexed questions? lie has
been IN Office now for some time and has
had opportunity 10 prove himself and as
said his report proves nothing affirmative
as 10 his fitness
Now. MIR. President. we as public ser.
wants have our duty To perform To the PEG
pie OF this Commonwealth. IL is in our
power 10 remove from office a man IL We
think that by so removing We should do
what Is best for the public service. What
sir, IN my position in this matter: That /
deny that this young man is qualified To
grasp this great subject. His report shows
nothing nothing that will show that he
Is the man TO gfapp.e with this question.
Soy further. sir that 1t Is our duty TO the
people OF this state, who are demanding
with louder and louder voice OF each sue.
ceeding Legislature that we shall deal with
this subject, and deal Justly by them, TO
protect their interest"