Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-04-04

mention IN connection with so lmpor-
tant subject. 1t would not cost cent
apiece extra on the average to the peo-
pie of the state. I believe no state in
the Union save this, ever changed from
three commissioners to one. On the
contrary nearly every state that started
with one commissioner now has three.
Three men can more safely settle the
important questions the commissioners
will have to meet. Their opinions viii
have greater weight, both with the peo-
pie and the railroads, and they can more
surely resist the dangerous onslaught
that will be made upon them. The
commissioners are given long tenure
of Office so that they may become
thoroughly familiar with their duties.
Their selection is not left to the scram-
bles Of q political convention, where, I'M
fortunately, candidates are often selected
more with reference to their nationality,
location, or for some reason of party
policy, rather than on account of fitness
The board in non-partisan. The ap
pointments are made by the governor,
who could be safely trusted to select
good men, and in case of the present eI-
ecutiye, the railroads would surely know
l1Oul lIl6 lOuG vi Ills u6SSdG6 Gudl Iu6S
need fear no injustice at his hands.
'As these remarks are somewhat in
the nature of minority report, dissent
ing from the conclusions of majority
of the committee, / feel at liberty to
make few statements in regard to the
action of the committee. | make no
criticisms and impugn the motives of no
member. / state the facts and draw
contradictions o,l - I'LL ,,,l,o -
their correctness.
mot section or line of this bill was
read at any session of the committee.
Not an amendment was proposed nor a
suggestion made by the majority. Is it
not plain inference, then, that the ma
jority of the committee desire no rail-
road legislation whatever! That they
are ready to give a title deed in fee SIM
pie of their votes to the railroad compa-
MES? [ can draw no other conclusion.
If this bill does not suit them as it is,
amend it, or present a substitute. But
no, nothing is to be done, is the verdict
of the majority. Will the members of
ate, and tell us that there are no abuses
to correct, no wrongs to right, no rates
that need adjustment? This is precisely
what they have said by their report.
Were it otherwise, were they willing to
do something for the people, were they
not wholly devoted to serving railroad
interests, then why, if this bill did not
suit them, should they not amend it so
that il would? can hardly believe that
any senator upon this floor will claim
that our railroad laws are absolutely
perfect there is no room whatever
for improvement. Even the most
abject railroad lackey lobbying
for his board and a few pas
ses does not claim this. Intend to utter
no words of disrespect or censure. /
only say that it is strange sight TO see
a majority of the railroad committee in
the senate of Wisconsin,, state paying
higher rates rater for transportation
than any state adjoining it or in the
west, reporting against the only railroad
bill before them, and offering nothing in
its place.
"Pity tits, and pity It's it's true"
Mr.. President, let me say IN conclu-
sion, that in what l have said upon this
subject | have made no statement that
| cannot prove, have given no figures
that [ cannot verify, and have uttered
no opinions IN which | do not believe
The subject is SO broad. the interests
involved SO great, the abuses complained
of SO glaring, that l need not apologize
for the length of time | have spoken.
What the fate of this bill shall be mat
tiers no more to me than to you. think
/ have correctly foreseen it from the
start. [ have long known too well the
almost unlimited power of corporate
control IN Wisconsin. / have seen too
often men
Crook the pregnant hinges of the
knee,
That thrift may follow fawning.'
81 should vote for this bill as readily,
and champion it as earnestly, if knew
in advance that it would receive the
vote of no other senator. [ believe there
is a public demand for it as well as a
necessity. I am sure it's provisions are
wise, aud just and reasonable. Pre-
dictions are unsafe. / claim no except
ional soresight, but risk the prediction
here, and | make it before this senate
and the people, that legislation akin to
this cannot long be delayed.
The people of Wisconsin
will not always be the willing
servants of railroad masters. If legis-
lation like this is to be defeated, if any
and every move to correct abuses and
right wrongs, and secure equity is to be
throttled by corporation influences, then
before very long you will see aroused a
storm Of public indignation that cannot
be allayed. The power Of money and
passes and threats-w will not
be perpetual. / fear the coming of the
day-we have seen it once in Wisconsin
when the people, goaded to despera-
ton, may demand and enact unjust laws.
The pendulum of time always vibrates
from one extreme to another. So sure
as the railroads Of Wisconsin refuse all
concessions to the public and continue
to exact rates, and practice discrimina-
tions not permitted by the laws of other
states, so sure do they invite retribu-
ton that will be speedy and fear dis
astrous
Senators, I hope that il you cannot
Bupport this bill that you will insist up
on some other measure that will secure
better regulation of railroad traffic in
Wisconsin, and that you may so shape
your action upon this important cues
ton, that in all future time you can jus.
tify your consciences and satisfy your
constituents"
Blaine Enjoyed the joke.
The Hon. G. G. So Gilman, Of Spring
field, Mass, democrat, estate senator,
slig ht-of hand performer, aud good fel.
low, is at Wizards with Mrs. Seellmau.
Spellman has most engaging mustache
and i'm perial. These hirsute adornments,
in fact, resemble those of great Herman.