South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1889-01-18
RAILROAD DIscRInINArIoss

sessions OF the Legislature, I Gale,
attention TO the subject OF railroa.
discrimination in freigh, and pas
sengsr charges, en3eavored TO pre-,
sent some Of tho gres, wrongs infiic-
ted upon our people. and recon men,
died. such legislation a, would correct
The evil and protect the interests oil
this State. The injustice, the injury
the witheripg effect upon cur indus
tries are so apparent and well known
by every thoughtful man, that il {,
unnecessary to repeat them.
large majority OF the States Of The
Union have regulated these subjectl
by statutory laws. and the authori,,
to do so has passed beyond the do.
main Of legal contention.
The Inter State Commerce Law
has teen in effect about two years
and experience has thoroughly de,
monstrated the wisdom OF the Act
and rendered il comparatively Ger.
tain that it will never be repealed, OF
changed. except to prevent evasion
or violation Of its remedial provisions
Our shippers have received great
benefits under the operation OF this
law but in order that they may be
secured in the full advantages to be
obtained. it is essential that DOM.
mission should be created, under au.
thority OF the State, whose duty i.
should be, amongs, others, to ssccr.
tain whether said law is being viola
ted against the interests of any Of the
people Of this State, and IL SO, TO Ole
and prosecute complaint before the
Interstate Commerce Commission
Tor the correction Of the abuse.
The Legislature having full control
OF commerce within tina State, to
that department alone can We turn
for State regulation.
Sixteen years ago, the people made
the following fundamental declare
ton:
Railroads heretofore constructed.
or that may hereafter. be constructed
in this State, are hereby declared
public highways and shall be free to
oil persons for the transportation OF
their persons and property thereon,
under such regulations as may be
prescribed by law; aud the Legisla-
ture shall. from time to time, pass
laws applicable TO all railroad corpo>
rations in the State. establishing rea
eonable maximum rates Of charges
for the transportation of passengers
and freights, and providing for the
correction Of abuses, the prevention
of unjust determinations between
through and local or way freights
and passenger tariffs. and for tie pro.
lection Of the just rights OF the pub
lie, and shall enforce such laws by
adequate penalties. Sec. 9, Articie
AZ, Goa stitutiOn.
No law has yet been passed to
meet the requirements of this Con.
stitutional command, and afford the
protection that the combined wisdom
of the State deemed essential. So
long as this question remains open,
every effort made for its just and
fair settl ement is heralded abroad as
indicating hostile attitude towards
railroad enterprise. We understand
thoroughly the necessity ofrailroads
for the development Of our natural
resources but we understand also
that unless reasonable freight char.
ges be secured for all shippers. the
lnducement for the agricultural i'm
migrant, and for the various enter
prises which those resources invite,
must be hampered and limited.
renew the recommendation that
such legislation upon this subject be
enacted as will secure even-handed
justice TO both the railroads and the
people. I especially recommend
that, both as to passengers and prop
erty, a greater charge for shorter
than for q longer distance, and every
species OF discrimination against, or
in favor OF, Individuals or localities.
and every means by which it may be
accomplished, be absolutely prohib-
tied. That a commission be created
with such authority as may be neces-
sary for the application and execu.
ton Of the law, and to obtain such
relief as may be bad from Federal
law, and that adequate penalties be
provided to secure respect aud ODE
dience.'
GIVING RAILROAD PASSES TO PUBLIC
OFFICERS.
Upon tue subject Of giving railroad
passes to public officers, repeat the
language of former message:
The practice of railroad companies
issuing to public officers free passes
over their roads is another abuse to
which call your attention. That
this is done with an improper motive
is so transparent as to admit of DO
question. There Is no branch of the
government but, in some form, is
called upon to act in relation to the
rights, duties and liabilities of such
companies; and therefore, where
questions between railroad companies
and the people arise, it cannot be
matter Of surprise that a feeling OF
distrust peryades the public mind,
when the public servant, whether
Legislative, Judiciary or Executive,
holds the laws Of bis country in one
hand and n railroad pass in the other.
i most heartily recommend tile g.
nactment Of law TO prohibit the deliy.
cry OF such passes to any and every
officer within this State and that the