The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-03


The House acted wisely doubtless in au
thorizing the appointment OF n committee
to investigate and report upon tho differ
ences between the Beading Railroad Com
pany and its employees, and between that
company and the miners who have been
mining coal upon its lands. There IS de-
termined and continued struggle against
what is called Capitalization, but
i'll spite of the struggle, the
powers of the general government are be-
coming greater and those Of the States less.
Notwithstanding the constant assertions OF
members of Congress from their places in
either house that the general government
has 10 authority TO interfere in this or that
matter, Congress, like the Federal courts,
is constantly increasing its jurisdiction. 1t
seldom refuses to take notice of matters IN
which its assistance is sought, and it is
worthy of notice that each step it takes in
the direction OF Capitalization is accepted
as precedent for taxing another.
Senator Reagan, who is strong opponent
of the Blair educational bill, because of its
centralizing character, was mainly instru
mental in securing the enactment Of the in
terstate commerce law. II will hardly be
denied that that law IS a centralizing one.
Indeed, it is doubtful if Congress ever
enacted law that tended so much to make
the people magnify the powers Of the gen
eral government, and regard with lndiifer-
ence those of the States. The interstate
commerce law furnishes the excuse for Con
gress to investigate the affairs Of the Reading
company. Before the enactment OF that
law tho Reading troubles would have been
settled, if settled by legislation at all, by
the Legislature of Pennsylvania. Those
interested in having the troubles terminated
did not give a thought apparently to the
Legislature of either Pennsylvania or New
Jersey. They appealed directly to Congress,
and their petitions received a prompt an
swer.
1t is a question whether the tendency
toward Capitalization can be checked.
There are conditions constantly arising
which seem to demand the exercise OF
greater authority than a State possesses,
and honce the people arc becoming more
and more dependent upon the general gov
ernment.
The first time that Congress took notice
of labor strike was when Mr.. Jay Goulds
Missouri Pacific railroad employees had Il
falling out with him. 1t is Impossible TO
say whether Congress did anything toward
settling that strike, but il is certain that it
ended g few days after a Congressional
Committee began TO investigate it,
1t seems about impossible to get at the
truth of the Reading troubles. The strik-
ers tell ono story and the company another.
1t is assorted that the troubles are the result
of the efforts Of capitalists TO increase the
price, Of coal, by producing scarcity of
that article If there is any truth in this
assertion it ought co be known. Tho price
of coal has been increased in all those parts Of
the country which are wholly or partially
dependent upon the Reading mines. While,
therefore, the labor troubles are confined to
Pennsylvania, their effect is felt in several
States. Whatever Congress proposes to do
it should do promptly. There is suffering
among the strikers and among coal consum-
ers, and it will steadily increase as long as
the troubles continue.