Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-04-13
THE THOMAS BILL.


definition of the rights of the ship
per, and forbids eXtortion ordiscrim-
nation either between individuals or
localities.
The second feature is the abolition
of the Railroad Commission.
It has been urged against the bill,
and it is the only objection yet raised,
that il is favored by the railroads.
In reply it may be said that If the
railroads arc willing to accept and
conform to the provisions restricting
them in certain particulars, which
have, in the minds of the public,
grown into grave abuses, we can well
afford TO consent TO the abolition OF
the Railroad Commission.
This bill is plain, direct and simple.
1t is not experimental, but practical.
IL deals not with a theory, but with
a situation. 1t does not seek to arbit.
arily interfere with the details OF
transportation, but it lays down in
stead broad principles which the
roads must observe. 1t secures to the
citizen his common law rights, max
ing it possible for him by the aid of
the State to enforce these rights.
This part of the bill is a marked
advance in railroad legislation in that
IL conforms TO the growth of public
sentiment and to the experience of
recent years. We repeat that if this
bill receives the support of the rail-
roads, it shows a disposition on their
part to live up to their public Obliga-
lions which is commendable.
But it ia objected that the bill abol-
ishes the Commission. So it does, and
ii does this because all that the Com
mission could possibly gain, all that
it has been authorized to attempt, is
secured by the restrictive provisions
of the bill.
The objections to the Commlss on
have crown from wear TO year. 1t is
an exnense. and il is of little benefit.
Tho compIaints filed with it have
bepn few and unimportant. 1t re-
cognizes its own useiessness by con-
SANITY urging an extension of power
and an increase of dignity.
But its demands for the practical
control of our railroad system will
mot he conceded by the people of Ken |
tucky. II is the Iowa idea, which is |
embodied in the Spalding Bill, and |
tho experience of Iowa warns Us
against such departure. Iowa to-
6ay is suffering seriously from the |
anii-railroad legislation and other
and similar attempts 10 regulate
every affair oflife by legislation,
Reason as well as experience con-
dennis such a departure. This Spald-
ing Bill, as it is called, gives the Com
mission the power to locate stations,
to arrange the train skedule, to exam
inc bridges and condemn them, and |
so to fix rates that everybody will be !
happy and coal win sell for Ten cents
tho State.
No triumphirate is capable OF doing
his work, even if the charters OF the
railroads did not protect them against
This interference. 1t would necessl-
ate the employment OF corps OF
engineers Tor Drldge eX-
animation, and its reports would re-
ieye the railroads of any responsible
ty for accidents.
1t would necessitate the employ
ment of an army of expert accoun-
lants to arrange traffic table not on
the basis of natural conditions and
the conclusions of active, persistent
aud uncomfortable competition, but
OH the idea of uniformity the State
agreeing to compensate the man at
the top of the hill for the natural dis
advantage of his location.
Kentucky is in no condition to at.
tempt anything like this. 1t would
be to adopt an experiment which has
restricted the development of certain
sections of the country, and which
has been abandoned elsewhere.
Such law would at once put a
stop 10 the building ofnew roads No
man would put his money in a rail-
road 10 be managed by three Com
missioners endowed with such power,
unless those Commissioners could at
the same time be endowed with su-
per-human wisdom