Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-05-22
HON. 7. B. WHEELER
His Announcement as a Candidate
for Governor of Texas.
He will Vote for the Amendment
That Does Not Mean a Commits
sion with Plenary Powers.
A Conservative Commission Law What He
FavOrs-Railroads are What Texas
Most Needs; Good Roads, Next.

To the People Of Texas:
Being an aspirant for one of the most
honorable positions which free people
can bestow upon one of their fellow citi-
zens, and it being impossible for me to
| go into an active canvass at this time, !
think it is due you, as well as myself, to
give you my views on the amendment of
the constitution for the regulation of
railroads, which now appears to be the
leading issue of this campaign. -
| 1t seems to me that there can be no
doubt about the state having the right to
| regulate railroads. The only question
for US to determine is as to the mode of
| regulation. / expect to vote for the
amendment, for, as I understand it, it
simply gives to the legislature the right
to 'tprovide and establish all requisite
means and agencies, invested with such
| powet as may be deemed adequate and
| advisable!'' 1 can see no great danger in
| it leaving 1t to the good judgment of the
representatives of the people, who are
| elected every two years, to determine
| what kind of railroad regulation we shall
| have in Texas, but would not vote for
the amendment if l believed it forced the
| legislature to give US commission with
| plenary powers.
Let us examine the article as amended
and see if its language sustains the con-
| struction placed upon it by many distin-
Eguised gentlemen. 1t is as follows:
"Railroads heretofore constructed or
which may hereafter be constructed in
this state are hereby declared public
highways and railroad companies com
iclo rhcl
/ laws to regulate railroad freight and
passenger tariffs, to correct abuses and
prevent unjust determinations and ex-
tortions in the rates of freight and pas
senger tariffs on the different roads in
this state, and enforce the same by ad-
equate penalties; and TO the further ao-
complishment of these objects and pur-
poses, may provide and establish all
requisite means and agencies invested
with such powers as may be deemed ad-
equate and advisable.
1t says that the legislature shall pass
laws to regulate railroad freights, etc.,
but when it refers to the legislature DEL
egattng its power it does not use the
word shall, but says "may provide and
establish all requisite means and agencies
invested with such powers as may be
deemed adeqoate and advisable. - LAS
may be deemed adequate and ADVISABLE
By whom? OF course, by the legislature.
Then take it that this whole matter of
commission and the kind of commission
we shall have must be determined by the
legislature after the adoption of the
amendment. That you may understand
my position on this question, wish to
state that if L should be elected governor
and the amendment is adopted and
. To- -,aIak y
conservative commission law 1 would not
oppose or veto it. 1 would feel it my
imperative duty to do all in my power TO
make the law success. 1 would select
the best men for commits sioners who
would accept the position-men above
reproach who would not administer the
law in favor of any particular class; to
the injury of other interests-but who
would protect the interest and rights OF
the people and at the same time do JUS
tice to the railroads. l think l can see
how railroad commission of that time
would be beneficial. 1t would give the
state settled railroad policy so that
those who owned roads in Texas, and
others who might be induced to build ad-
dItional roads, could know on what they
might depend.
It would also do much to allay this I'M
necessary agitation, which has never
benefited the people in any way and has
checked railroad building. Another duty
of the commission would be to collect
Information as TO the cost of building and
operating railroads, the transportation
and classification of rates and any other
information which might be necessary. to
understand the railroad question and 1
to collect and condense it in statis-
teal form, TO be submitted to the
legislature by the governor, with such
recommendations as he and the commits
sion NAV see proper to suggest. believe
that every man who has had the honor
of being in the legislature will admit that
this information is necessary TO secure
wise, just and effective legislation. It
should also be the duty of the commits
sion to see that the roads construct good
and comfortable depots, keep the road
beds and bridges in safe condition, to in
'vestigate and report the causes of all &C.
cidents and to see that they give to the
public satisfactory service.
The commission should also have the |
right to investigate any complaints |
against the roads for oYercharges, dis |
ordinations, or other violations of the |
law, and If necessary to cause institu- |
ton of proceeding in the courts to COM |
pei them to do their duty under the law. |
believe board composedsof wise, just |
and impartial men, in whom the people |
have confidence, could and would do |
much to break down the prejudice |
against railroads and establish better /
feeling between the people and those |
corporations. This would be a |
contamination of affairs which every true |
citizen and lover of Texas would like
to see.
That there may be no misunderstand-
ing about my position in regard to this
question, wish to state plainly that
am not in favor OF commission with ju-
dicial, legislative and executive powers.
1 am not in favor of it because If COM
mission be established see its results and
If necessary its duties can be increased:
I oppose a commission with such extra
ordinary power for the further reason
that 1 do not believe that it would be
just and right to place these great prop
critics under the arbitrary control Of
men who dc not own or do not have any
direct interest in them. I am opposed to
such law for the further reason that we
need more railroads. and I am fully