The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1886-09-10

mont should attempt any control Q
railways and their business, and II u
TO what extent and how--is one ofth,
highest importance, OF vast proper
tions, and OF perplexlng iutricacy
To solve II so as to secure largely
be netlcial results will be the work o
years ofexpenments, and will require
the highest order Of statesmanship, al
well as practical knowledge Of rail-
road business such as few men pos
sess, or can possess except after Ions
aud close observation and the mos
patient AMI persistent investigation,
Therefore, while Il Is doubtless tru,
that too many men In Congress, es-
peclally Ia the Senate, are servants
of the railroad corporations rather
than Of the people, yet IndiscrIminatt
csnsure because nothing Is yet done,
or because this or that pet scheme Ii
not adopted at unce,Is manifesily un.
Just.
In France and Germ my, and par
ticulsrly in Prussia, the railroads are
mostly owned aud operated by the
Government, which plan, although II
has Its objectionable features, does
away 1t oOce with many II not most
OF the troublesome questions which
are now demanding solution Of the
American people. In England there
il to some extent Governmental
supervision OF railways, and they are
constantly the subject OF Parliament
airy investigation, aud at least seini.
judicial regulation. There Legislators
have advanced TO several points
which are not yet in sigh. ia this
country, among them that OF concsd-
ing ga fieId' to . faIlrsad, and char
tering no pew road uuless a practical
necessity fer it, construction i appar-
ent. But English measures might
not be applicable 90 this country,
with It's I25, 900 miles OF road, repre-
senling capitalization Of over SiO.-
900, 600, 900, where charters as rule
are not granted by the general Gov
ernment, bul by the several States,
and where the right OF eminent do
main Is held out free toany organized
company, regardless OF whether It has
genuine paid-up cash basis on which
to begin operations or moi.
The question as 10 both the moral
and the legal right Of National or
State regulation OF raIlrosd traffic may
hs considered settled. The expedi-
ency OF any regulation, aud how 10
regulate asd 20 what extent, are the
questions for present consideration
or the macy propositions enterine
into the subject, we think two are 50
manifestly just that they ought To be
enforced In the country generally aud
In every State First-ihat no new
road should be permitted to be built
rs a parallel or merely compelling
linz, when rad already built can
do the business demanded by the
public; or IN other words, where there
is no practical public necessity for &
new rOad; and second-under no cir.
c. instances should company l,e
recognized by the law until ~ I"as'
fifty per cent Of its proposed ca, .i'nl
was actually paid up 10 cash. The
endorsement oflhe first of these prep.
ositions pFe-supposes, Of course, Gov
sr' Inentsl restrictions, so that the read
permitted to have the monopoly II a
certain field could not charge exorbi-
tant rates.
But confining onr view TO railway
operation and traffic within the State,
the Legislature Of Oregon has 10 con
slider matter OF the gravest lmpor-
tance, and requiring its most thorough
and conscientious thought. The ex-
perien.e Of several other States may
furnish Oregon with some light upon
the subject. In several States 1t has
been about this First--the railroads
had things pretty much their own
way, and became extortionate and
aggressive, as is the case 10 some ex
tent here second-tbe people, be
coming gangeredand revsngeful, passed
impracticabIe laws, such as Exiuf
maximum rates, or attempting t.
govern arbitrarily the rates Of produce
and for all distances thIrd-iindinf
these measures resuIle d In more harm
ihsn geeh, in,nissiuns were ap
pointed, with ceftsin powers and du
ties, generally not with arbitrary
1 power to absolutely fix rates or chang'
them, but to hear complaints, ane
i to present them to the companie
with reasons and recommendations
About fifteen States. we believe, ar
trying these railway commissions,ant
| 1t il generally conceded that the.
have accomplished much good. Il
New York, the commission has rcall.
no power except that which Is ad'
yisory, yet the testimony cfthe com