River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-10-11
SENATORIAL.
Hon. H. A. Taylor's Views on Railroad
Matters-A necessity for Legis-
lative Action.

After the nomination of Mr.. Taylor
as candidate for Senator from this dis
trict, he was sent for aid requested tC
state to the convention his views upon
the Railroad question and Trusts.
Mr.. Taylor appeared and after stat.
ing that he had not sought nor desir.
ed the nomination, but that he was
too much of Republican to refuse to
do duty in any position to which the
party might assign he spoke substan.
TALLY as follows:
Il have long thought that there ex.
listed a necessity in this state for some
further legislation looking to the bet
ter regulation of railroad traffic. At
the Republican State Convention, two
years ago, submitted, and after con-
siderable discussion secured the alop-
tion of resolution pledging the Re-
publican party, through its members
of the Legislature, to enact such laws
as would prevent the discrimination
in railroad rates that was being prac
ticed as against local and in favor of
competing points. This discrimIna-
ton was the crying evil in railroad
management. 1t was building up a
few commercial eenters and destroy.
ing the business of all way stations.
1t made every town that had but one
line of railroad pay unwilling and
Tuinous tribute to the larger places
where two or more roads created a
competition that secured in all cases
reasonable, and not unfrequently RI
diculously low rates. Roads would
carry through traffic to competing
points, often at actual loss. and then
bleed the local towns to make up the
deficiency in their earnings.
The passage of the Interstate Com
merce law sought to correct, and has
corrected this evil as far as inter-
state traffic is concerned. The object
which l think ought to be accomplish
ed now, is to apply the principles of
the Interstate law, as relating to the
''long and short haul" to traffic
wholly within the limits of the State.
If the principle is a sound one, as it is
generally conceded to be, then there
is no good reason why it should not be
applied to state as well as to inter
state traffic The reason the last leg
islature took no action on the railroad
question was that the Interstate law
had just passed and WAS about to be
put into operation, and as it was like
ly to create quite revolution in rail
road rates, it was thought best not to
hamper the railroads with other legis-
lation until the effects of that law
were fully determined. Now we
should have a state law, to prevent
the railway companies making unjust
determinations in State trade by
charging greater rates for short dis
lance than for longer one. If am
elected l shall do what can to secure
the passage of such a law.
l am also strongly inclined to the
opinion that the functions of the Rail
road Commissioner should be enlarged
or what perhaps might be better, a
railroad commission provided for that
would have fuller powers in correct.
ing without delay or expense, any
evils that might exist. The remedy
now is too remote. If the railroads
attempt any injustice upon the public
the laws should provide for ehectnal,
speedy and inexpensive relief. / am
in favor of such judicious legislation
as will best protect both the railway
companies and the public. | would
not Cypress the one nor allow the 9th.
er to be imposed upon. The railroads
have been the most potent factors in
developing and building up our State.
They have made available our for ests
opened our mines-and furnished d
market for the proceeds of our fertile
fields. They have marvelOusly in
creased our wealth and population and
carried settlement and civilization to
our remotest borders. But while
growth and prosperity has come to
the State, the railroads have multiple
ed and grown rich and powerful
When the Potter Law was enacted,
many years ago, most OF our railroads
were in their infancy and struggling
for existence. That law established
wise principle, but in its operation
worked some injustice and embar'
raised worthy railroad enterprises
Things have greatly changed since
then. The country has settled
up. Traffic has increased many fold.
| The railroads have completed their
lines, made their connections, placed
their securities and are doing profit
II
able and increasing business. Then
they needed encouragement, now they
require restriction.
As to Trusts, will say that | am
opposed now, as | have always been
to all trusts, combinations or monop
oles of every kind the object of which
is to extort from the people illegiti
mate profits. | believe in full, fair
free competition. 1t is an axiom oil
business that Competition destroys
monopoly" The laws should prevent
if possible, all combinations found tC
avoid competition. Give fair cOmpe
tition and in every department of bus
mess activity prices will yield to the
mandates of this memorable law Of
| trade.
Gentlemen, although | did not de
sire this nomination, and so expressed
myself to many of you, yet | can bu
thank you for your confidence anC
support"
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