The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-08-05
TEE KArLsoAD coxxIssrox.

Il IL diisscult to understand the mo-
tive Of the protest 10 positively urged
In the convention Al Olympia agsinst
Kfnnsar's proposition for railroad
commission. IN the elaborate system
outlined Iva the committee report.
there In indeed legitimate ground for
objection, Stree IL involves details
which II may be desirable 20 modify
from time 10 time ~ conditions
change. going 10 the extent Of tisurr-
ing the functions of the legislature
But - TO the principle involved IN The
creation of q commission as perma-
nent feature Of our state governments
there ought 10 he no objection. Every
state which has attained anything
like positive success in the regulation
Of railroads how employs a commits
sion - the immediate means Of Apply
ing and exercising It's own eminent
authority. There Is In fac. no other
practicable way. Legislatures cannot
always be In session 10 provide RENE
dies for emergencies rs they arise, aud
il they could be II would not he pysc-
ticable for them TO sit as courts u in
quiry, judgment and administration
over business questions which contin-
uaiiy arise between shippers and car
riers. This is a special duty calling
for special qualifications easily enough
to be found and employed In railroad
commissions. II Is not an exssgera-
ton 10 say that IL would be as difficult
TO frame . system OF general rules
governing railroads that would en-
force themselves without special adj
ninistration, as 1t would be to frame
. system Of laws that would maintain
order and equity without system Of
courts 10 interpret and enforce them.
The railroad commission has come TO
be recognized in the United States as a
necessary feature Of any state govern
mcnt which attempts to exercise It's
rights in the general control OF rail-.
roads.
The constitution ought distinctly TO
assert the right OF the state 10 general
control OF railroads, 10 Tsrovide for a
railroad commission as q feature u
the state government, and further, 10
define the right Of such commission to
full information from railroad COM
panies concerning their business. And
here the act should stop. The coustrne-
ton Of = detailed system, 10 be based
upon the genera! principles here de-
fined, is the business of the legislature,
properly so because II il Legislative
In the letter and spirit OF the term. and
because, further. any system TO be al
ways efficient and convenient must
be modified from time 10 time to
meet the necessities OF constantly
changing conditions.
II is not only proper 20 NIX the gen
eral principle Of control Of railroads
by commission tn the constitution,
bat II Is highly expedient TO do so.
II will not only establish n correct and
salutary principle aud secure all the
benefits involved in 1t. but viii re-
move corrupting question from our
state politics. The railroads. which
always like the freest possible rein,
would OF course fight the proposition
for n commission before the legislature
just Ms they are now fighting il before
the convention. with much letter
chances of success In the former
case.
In dealing with railroads the idea
Of justice should be Kept constantly
in mind. 1t would be as harmful at
this time, perhaps more harmful, To
go too far than not to go far enough.
We need railroads. They are abso.
lutely essential to the development of
the state. and our policy toward them
should be such as will attract capital
for Investment in them rather than
repel IL. The question is big one and
II should be handled withou, he de-
sire to serve special railroad interests
on one hand and to "cinch" Tie rail
roads ON fhs other