Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-02-13
GIVE THE HoUsAToNIC A SHOW.

As the railroad situation at Hartford continues to develop itself the mists are gradually clearing away and the justice of the Housatonic's position is made more evident. That this justice and the good faith of the gentlemen who are in | terested in the matter are called in ques- tion can only be accounted for by the natural rivalries of competition.
 The Housatonic petition for an in- crease of capital stock, the amount of which is specifically stated and appears somewhat modest in comparison with the demands of its rival, seems reason able, just and proper, and there does not appear to be any we'll founded objection to its concession beyond the natural an tagonism of the road that might be ex- pected to feel the resulting competition. The Consolidated railroad has no more earnest friend than the DEMOCRAT, nor one that would rejoice more in its pros- perity and success. Not for a single moment would we entertain a project that would involve injustice to it, nor urge an act of legislation that would hamper it's progress or seriously i'm pede its development. It is for this reason we feel we cannot be accused of prejudice or hostility when we sincerely deprecate the position this great corporation has taken in opposl- tion to the petition of the Housatonic. That the Housatonic should have the same privilege that belongs to other roads under the general railroad law, that it should not be discriminated against be- cause when chartered it was given the privilege of building extensions or branches only ten miles in length, that the modest demand to be allowed to issue four million dollars in bonds to provide for necessary enlargements ought to be granted, would seem to need no demonstration. Nor would it we be- lieve but for the entourage of suspicion that has been built up by opposing lawyers. But surely it ought to take more than the word of these paid and selfish attorneys, more than the inuen- does and implications of an interested rival, to throw serious doubt on the good faith and honest intentions of men who have shown themselves most jealous in the prosecution of the great work they have already done in perfecting their railroad system in Connecticut. It may
 be necessary, before accepting unques- tioningly the assertion that the pro- posed parallel is purely spec
 ulative scheme, that the legisla- ture convince itself that there | would be more profit in such a scheme
 than in the certain returns from the
 operation of a parallel road. It may be necessary also to convince itself that
 there is not more safety to the intere sts of the state in the healthy workings of railroad competition than in the possible exactions of a corporate monopoly. Legislators who look closely to this matter, who are desirous of doing what will best conduce to the interests of their constituents, will conclude we think that it were better to have double sys- tenn with its healthy and life giving com petition than single one which like great ueV1lnSn CO1ld hOld the entire state in its clutches.
 As the hearing before the committee progresses we believe the justice of the Housatonics position will appear more and more evident. There should be no disposition to refuse it the advantages given to other roads and no toleration of rivalry that would crush it in order to make itself more powerful. Equal and exact justice-to corporations as we'll as individuals a safe motto for Con- necticut legislators, and there is no reason to make fish of one road and fowl of another in this good old common wealth. Give the Housatonic a fair show.