Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-04-04

law mas Worked to the satisfaction Of an.
The United States senate committee
says; In conclusion, it may be said that
The committee made special effort, by
inquiries among all classes of the com
munlty, 10 ascertain the popular ludg
ment in Massachusetts, as 10 the work
my OF the commission, and that not
whisper OF complaint against its meth
obs was heard, nor was there found any
indication OF dissatisfaction in that state
with the operation or results Of the ex-
listing system. The commission in Mas
sachusetts is the same as proposed in
this BILL
" The following is the report from New
York; During its brief existence the
commission has been called upon TO deal
Win Important questions affecting the
great commercial interest Of the Empire
state. The Illustrations that nave been
given of The results acc mnlshed war
rant the conclusion that h interests of
The people are better protected than
they we're before the creation Of the
commission, and that substantial and
satisfactory progress has already been
made under the existing system towards
the effective regulation of the railroads
IF New York
Here is what the commissioners of
Georgia say. We think that il can be
justly claimed that fair and impartial
review " the work OF the commission in
carrying out the purposes of the law 10y
% reduction and equalization Of the
rates that were of force 10y the railroad
companies at the time OF it's passage,
viii show saving TO the people Of Geor
gia, annually, Of "a sum equal 10 the full
amount ot their taxes, while the healthy
financial condition of the railroads does
not Indicate that they have been injured
thereby
The Alabama commissioners say;
The administration ~ the law creating
the commission has given, SO FAR as we
are advised, satisfaction in the main TO
the railroad companies and to the peo-
pie
"Ihe South Carolina commissioners
report In the early part Of our work
much time was required to investigate
and ad just complaints against the rail
roads Each month these complaints
have diminished, and now but few reach
bis office. This confirms the expert.
tnce of railroad commissioners generally
viz, that they promote in one way or
another a spirit Of consideration ON the
part Of the railroads for the public,
which relults I'M reducing the inevitable
friction of such large and rapid trans,
actoas as daily take place between these
corporations aud the business commun-
ity,'
both the outgoing aud incoming
governors of Minnesota strongly en-.
dorsed the law there, which rs much
more stringent than the one proposed
ia tins bill Gov Merriam, IN his I'M
.ugural, said 4 understand that the
rates OF freight and passenger fares
have been materially reduced since the
present law became operative, saving o.
the people of the state several millions
Of dollars annually
81 might give you many more reports
OF q similar character, but | have read
enough TO prove TO any unbiased mind
that such legislation as is proposed 10y
this bill is wise, just and salutary. Can
not Wisconsin safely follow IN th,
beaten path whore other leading state,
SO long have trod? We are not invited
to try experiments We are admonishe,
to avail ourselves OF the experience thai
other states have found 80 profitable
II abuses exist, as is admitted, II rates
are excessive, as none can deny, Will some
senator tell me why We do not owe IL Z,
| ourselves and the people we are here o,
represent TO correct the abuses reduce
the rates.
ave are told that competition, thai
great balance-wheel Of trade, will aiiOr,
all needful protection This is true ouly
at the great commercial cehteTs aud Ia
favored localities where competition /.
most active, and applies to the larger
shippers who are able TO take care OF
themselves But it should be the ain
OF the law TO protect the weak, and it il
at the great rumber OF non-competltlv,
points, where the producer and shipper
are most completely in the power of tho
railroads that protection is most needed
"Tbe railroad attorneys before the
committees talked long and eloquentll
about the beauties and safeguards oI
the common law and the ample pro
lection il affords to the people. TIL,
theory OF the common law rs that al
who are situated alike must he treated
alike But the law is not enforced, and
individuals, against great corporations
are powerless tO enforce IL. The ulieo
States senate committee says on the
point
"'The experience OF all states and ma
tons where railroads have been built
shows that the people cannot with safe.
~ rely upon the ordinary common law
remedies 20 protect them against unjust
discrimination and eytortion. In the
language of one gentleman who came
before the committee, the ordinary
courts are open theoretically, but they
are closed practically 10 the individual
man who has q grievance.
Senators, can we not more safely trust
the Judgment Of this committee com
posed of five % the abest lawyers IN
the country having no cientage q
serve. but looking only 10 tho public
good than TO accept the reckless state
ments Of salaued attorneys sent here te
plead the cause Of the railway compan
les?
"But it is claimed that we have a rail
road law now and "a commission 10 en-
/ force IT,. That Is true. but il isn't gen
orally known. Unfortunately the la"
is 80 weak, and the commission under i
necessarily so helpless, that the people
! have actually forg that they have
any protection. have no criticisms e
1 pass upon the commission by then
{ fr,,tta 80 aIolI ltpyuy tHarY will sim