The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-01

The Public Regulation Of Railigays b,
W.B. Dlbney. g.. w Putnam s Sons
Questions of the Day. M. Tx.
through West, Johnston & Co.
No question 8 more prominently be-
fore the minds of all thoughtful peopl,
than the railway question. Il is posi-
bly, the most important problem that
the next generation Will have to solve
The growing tendency towards consoll
datlou. the vast powers ( combination.
the capacity to OrganlZ ItiOn limited ig
nothing but lImi less wealth are sub
i-cts hat NAV well afford much room
Tor reflection 10 the minds OF tbose IL
lerestrd in the welfare OF our cDuDtry.
A. IN all questions II must. OF course.
be remembered that there are two sides.
Toe pc Pile have rlgh's that must be re-
spected. and corporatiOus. to. so lOrg
as they contiUe thems Ives to the legll-
mate objects of their beiug. are also TO
be occurred in their franchises.
Iuasmuch as all c)rplrate rights
spring siom the people. aud nave been.
and IN future ar- 10 b granted by the
people. 10 a country sucn as ours. thu
student OF history fnjs much sat sfdc
ton IN the thought that whenever m,
De pie have been oppresse d, there has
always come the relief sure and certain.
which has go aolIsbei the great primo.
pies OF liberty ADD fIeeJOn. wnetnef
the oppression be iDhiced by tyraDt
State, or Srant cDrDOralIJn.
Any new work that throws light
upon 40 important subject Is always
hailed with satisfaction, aI1 Therefore
we gladly welcome Nc Dibney : bJok.
o. course IN the space devoted to IT,,
utject 1t is impossible 10 discuss fully
many questions that have arisen. on
that may arise. but TINS work will b.,
valuable. as giving In d coovrDient form
the reflections CT a thoughtful MAJ
upon subject 10 which he has devoieI
both time aud labor, and upon winch
ne has had an opportunity to inform
himself practically.
The author says that his object is b.
point out IN az plain aud popular
ma nsr as possible a few principles
that have been sulbontatively lad
down, detining or suggesting the
sources and the limitations Of lssls
Istive power IN this Country over rail
r ais and RAILROAD tran-ro tauon. ss
we'll az t. dI-cuss briefly tue chief /
causes OF complaint sgdius. railwa,
practices. ia the Tn ted ales. aud lbe /
methods, policy aud property OF pub
. D.
Toe book is NJ. Tx. OF Pdtuam'r
Que tons of-the-Day" series. Tue
lAme does not sIguiiy the regulation OF
railways by means Of the government
sklng possession thereof ana maDag-
ny the same as. 1t does tn postal sys
EN-. but rather the regulation OF rail-
Ways under the present syrtem.
The discussion IS naturally treated
iuder two aspects, the legal and the
economic.
Under the first head the origin OF
aIlway rights aud privileges are traced.
is we'll as the grow tn, iimitltious. and
estrictions thereof. Citing the d..
isions OF the highest courts upon the
ubj ct. the writer concludes that rail
ways being the creatures OF legislative
over, are subject at all times TO the
equation and control OF their creator.
The cases cited demonstrate a grow.
* disposition on the part of the high
81 courts to hold against any unwar-
iDtable latitude in the surrender OF
'gIslativc power even in charters them
lives; while Ia some Of the States.
and legislative provis
rs have retained The right TO amend. {
ter and repeal charters when grant d.
course the latter rovl siops apply
lly to charters subse quently granted.
Though tie power 10 regu ate Is
" ntlsl, AMI nay bscom. one OF shsJ