The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-01-17

have been corrected, and development
and growth has been in no wise re-
tarded. The people of Kansas have in
this, as in other matters, manifested a
clear recognition of the fact that JUS
tice to all interests is alone consistent
with, and the sure foundation of per-
manent prosperity.
In a state like Kansas where the
railroad system is comparatively new,
and extensions progress with rapio
strides, many vexatiOus problems are
sure to arise which must be settled.
The successive volumes of reports
which have emanated from the board
of railroad commissioners bear witness
that a large body of complaints have
been adjusted, and that in their adjust
ment the spirit of the law has in the
main received fair and just interpre-
tatlon.
Since this board was created vast
energy has been displayed in the con-
struction of additional railroads in the
state, and the extension of systems
already existing. Within little over
five years the railroad mileage of Kan
sas has grown from 3, 716 to s. 799 miles.
Doubtless some of this has not been
wisely planted, but it is certain that
the people would not be willing to
relinquish single mile of
that which has been built.
1t may be further remarked
that such is the extent of our territOr-
ial area, future development will re-
quire considerable additional mileage,
especially in the western half of the
state, TO adequately supply the whole
state with transportation facilities.
The freight and other traffic has not
grown in an equal ratio. From the re-
ports issued from the office of the
railroad board it appears that the total
number of tons of freights carried over
all roads for the year ending June 80,
1888. was Il, Ss1 ,322. For the year end
ing June 80, 1883, the freight tonnage
amounted to % 1924 ,299 tons-an in
crease, compared with the former year,
of 9.942 ,977, or 1912 per cent. The
earnings from this traffic have in
creased in far less ratio, those of the
former year being $45, 135, 33l "a, and
those for the fiscal year last past
amounting to $49. 349 1866. 19-an in
crease of 81, PA ,034. "a, or S.54 per cent.
This denotes an approximate average
reduction of the freight charge upon
freight traffic of 1888, compared to that
of 1888, of 34.5S per cent. From the
same source 1t appears that, from pas
senger traffic the earnings have grown
from S14. 345, 761 SO in 1888, to $1S $685.
O31.52 in 1888, an increase of 81 ,249,
1886, or 23.4 per cent. l believe that
a careful review of the present situa-
ton in respect to railroad development
and investments in this state will re-
veal nothing that should create serious
apprehensions or encouragement.
The board of railroad commissioners
in their last report recommend some
additional legislation in respect to the
functions exercised by them. which APP
TO- TO a net md o6n cd n
increase the usefulness and efficiency
of that Office. The first relates to the
enactment of appropriate provisions
for the due enforcement of the orders
and decisions. Heretofore this has
not been found to have been necessary
and due regard for the authority re-
posed in that board should have rem
dered this forever unnecessary. The
board represents in all its official utter
ances the state. There are many mat.
tiers arising in the operation of rail
roads affecting the convenience and
reasonable accommodation of the public
which do not rest in well defined lega
obligation on the one hand, and of an
solute right on the other, the due reg
ulation of which, in the last instances
is confided by the statute to this board
Its findings, decisions and recommen
dations as to these, as well as othel
matters, upon which its authority is
invoked, cannot be disregarded without
undermining its authority and
bringing it's functions into contempt
Suitable provision should therefore
be made to give legal sane
ton to their decisions, orders, anC
recommendations, and secure compli
ance Herewith.
The second is a matter of pres
ent, and will become one OF
| growing Importance to the business in
| terests of the state. 1t is to confer OF
! the board the power to require the
adoption of JOINT freight tariffs upoI
| freightS passing between two points
within the state over two or more rail
| roads, and to prescribe the rate to bC
| charged, and the pro-rata share OF
each carrier, whenever it shall appear
| to be just to the business interests o.
the people of the state.
Under the existing statute, the pow
ers of the board touching the rates O.
transportation extend only to the re
vision of rates complained of, and up
| on complaint before it. 1t must ineV
itably happen that, in the multiplied
ton of competitive points, undue dis
proportion will ensue between thu
rates at such points and those main
tanned at places where competition
does not exist, leading to unjust dis
ordinations. These should be sub
jected to such adjustment and revis
ion from time to time as necessity ma,
arise, to assure to the public fair treat
ment. To this end / recommend tina
appropriate power be lodged IN tn
board of railroad commission
ers, by additional statutory pro
vision, which in such cases may no
require the Intervention of forma
complaint for its exercise. In word
the board should have greater afirma
tive jurisdiction, and be clothed wit
unquestionable power to enforce it
reasonable orders and decisions.
TEMPERANCE.
The growth of public sentiment i
support of constitutional prohibitio
in Kansas is steady, healthy and uI
mistakable. In the last campaign n
political party had the temerity to de
mand a resubmission of the quesJio
to the people, in the face of popula
verdict that has been repeated an
emphasized every time the populd
sense has been taken=J As an issue
Kansas politics, reSubmission Is q
dead as slavery. The saloon as facto
in politics. as moral iniquity. ha
been outlawed and made ''fugitiv
and a vagabond on the face of til
CdEGu. OE IldO pdIG VI IL WlIllA III
territorial limits of Kansas.
The present legislation in aid of th
prohibitory amendment is perhaps NJ
perfect nor free from objections, bI
so nearly satisfactory that doubt.
public opinion demands any radios
revision; and law should but be publ
opinion passed over into publ
will. Results justify the opinion. tt
law generally is being respected an
enforced, because by sort of educs
tional process it is becoming identifie
in the public mind with othC
, criminal statutes. This was necessar,
for the reason that it was Legislation
denouncing as a public offense VIII;
had not been Heretofore, and is NJ
, per Sc, criminal. Convictions are thu
made easier where the proof warrant
it, because juries and courts have con
to regard the law as it is reflected
! the light of public judgment. FIR
: quent change IN such a law especial
,, tends to unsettle public confidenc
and begets distrust and doubt. II
| racOrda nf courts and Of T1riG0nQ fro