Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-17
state Gem merce Biii.


resulting thereirom, for it cannot be do
MED that Virginia to- day is o railroad
ridden State, and tba. the wretched
condition OF large nuuubcr OF our peo-
pile is due TO the rlinOus discrimination
upon the part of these transportation
lines. The people of this State demand
somo strict legislation in this regard
which shall not bc uncertain in It's prac-
tical effect Rhe Legislature must re-
cogniZe the fact that the people viii
not bc satisfied with any halfway mea-
sure. They require and demand that
they be fully protected. The bill
rs reported 10 the House Of Delegates
is, We learn, shaped after the order Of
the national Interstate commerce hll.
being adapted to State purposes The
most important feature OF this bill Is
that which forbids discrimination IN any
manner. and especially IN making II nm
lawful Tor transportation lines 20 charge
a higher rate for a shorter distance than
IS charged for q longer distance. Under
this provision of the law. as reported, we
understand that tAe evil referred to Will
no longer exist. This, however, seems
only TO refer To q control OF this nature
over transportation charges between
points within the state of Nirginia, and
aS there is still remaining an opportu-
nifty for the transportation lines 10 dis
crlminate against the people by charging
a less rate from point beyond the
limits OF the State to any point within
the State than they charged from point
within the State 10 the same point Of
destination. tEe committee having IN
charge this measure very wisely amend
Cd that section 50 as 90 prevent
such discrimination. aud under the
bill as amended the railroad lines
can no longer charge the tobacco
growers of Charlotte, Halifax, md
Pittsylvonia counties higher rates to tue
markets OF Richmond, Petersburg, Nor
folk, aud Lyuch5urg than they charge
ON tobacco from points in North CARO-
Ina to the same markets. which practice,
We understand. they have heretofore
been following, nor can the grain and
bay producers of the Southwest and
Piedmont aud Valley sections of the
state I've charged higher ratesto tho mar
kots at Lynchhurg. Rchmond, Peters
burg, and Norfolk than are charged on
similar shipments from poiutsIn lcnnes-
see and West Virginia Going 60 the same
markets. In this particular careful con
sldcration seems to have been given 20
the protection of tho interests of the
agricultural class OF this State. hut
iu-t here the bill seems 20 be lacking IN
order TO secure the masses of this State
all tho protection they have a right
TO expect, tor IN failing To make this
feature Of the measure operative IN
both directions there is nothing to pre-
vent the railroads charging higher
rates from the varlOu, centres and dis
tnhuting markets within the State 10
points within Tie state on supplies IT,
quired ior living than they charge on
the same character OF shipments going
to points beyond the limits of the state
from the same markets. or, in other
words, according 10 the ui.l 10 It's present
shape, tie railroads can charge more ou
bacon, groceries, flour. meal, clothing.
fertilizers. coal, and all character Of sup
plies from Richmond, Petersburg, Nor
folk, or ivncbburg 10 points In Char
lotta. tlUlltaX, and Pittsyivaula counties
ltrom which points It must bc understood
the people ol the section referred TO orc
compelled 10 GNw tile very nccessaues
Of iiiel than they charge from thc ,aiae
cities 70 points within North Carolina.
in the same way more can be charged
trom Lynchburs TO all points in SoGin-
west Virginia and the Valley Of Virginia
and from Richmond and Norfolk TO
Piedmont Virginia and the Valley
than is Charged from the same
points TO points within Wcst Nir-
giu.a and Maryland. In this way tie
people OF this state viii be called upon
10 pay higher prices for their supplies
coming from these markets than these
same supplies can be sold by the same
markets TO the people OF adjoining States.
This Is matter oil vast importance 90
the masses OF this State and the Legis-
iature. unless 10 covers TINS ground. viii
have done but little 10 afford the protcc-
ton the people have righ; to expect at
their hands from these shameless cor
porations which, having IN the past dis
criminated IN the manner explained, viii
UuGuestionably continue unless this i'm
pOriant safeguard is provided for.
lhe members OF the Legislature must
not think that the people of this State
viii be satisfied 10y being informed that
provision has been made to protect them
~ shipping their products m market, and
noreQard whatsoever paid in protecting
us in getting frDM these markets every
conceivable character of supplies essen
tlal Tor the support Of oEr wives and chill
dren, but the bars left down and tho rail
roads 1T liberty 10 regulate their charges
on these supplies in whatever manner
best suits them. They mustnot mistake
the temper OF the people by imagining
that halfway measure will suit the
wants Of the farming and laboring in
terests Of this State. This question can
not be eyaded, nor can It's vital impOr-
tancc be bclittlod. 1t will not bear fur
ther neglect, and unle-s full and com
plete relief is afforded 10y the members
of this Legislature the question wlll
confront them two years hence. backed by
the determination Of an inpatient people
exacting and demanding Justice from
these corporations. The farmers Of this
State DO not desire any radical legislation
nor tue invasion OF vested rights al
they want Is full protection both IN ship
ping their products ~ market and re-
ceiying their supplies H'r,Jr0m One
is as vital 10 the very existence Of the
people of tuis State as the other, and
unless law IL enacted under which this
relief is afforded in boM particulars but
httle will have been done for this down
trodden State.
The people OF the Stale ask 10 fayors
ut the hands Of these corporations, for
they are but the creatures of her crta-
ton. but they DO demand inst strict
watch be placed in position 20 hold them
in check and control them for the best
interest OF the people. Just here per-
nit me 10 state that we desire and insist
that this commission proposed TO be Gre
ated 10 control these matters shall be free
Of any influence OF these corpom;ions.
1t il known that they possess many ways
by which they secure their object, and
provision should be made for every safe
guard to prevent any influence being ex-
erted by those corporations. This Will
cot be the case ii the support OF the
commission is dependent upon assess