Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-05-22

mile than three times the rate of the
same class of freight from the most
favored point outside the state to the
| same point of destination in Texas. = Fol-
instance say it is 1000 miles from Chi
| cago to Taylor and the rate on a given
article is 81 90 per 100 pounds. That
would be five cents on the haul for fifty
miles. Now from Temple to Taylor 1t is
say fifty miles, then five cents per 100 is
the proportion for fifty miles OF
the rate from Chicago to Taylor,
now three times five are fifteen.
which, under the rule, would be
the rate for 100 pounds OF freight from
Temple to Taylor. The present maxi
mum rate IN Texas fixed by law is fifty
cents per 100 pounds per 100 miles. That
q rate for more than fifty miles and not
more than 100 miles shall not be more
than twice as much to given point in
Texas than the rate on the same article
from the most favored point outside of
Texas to the same destination here. For
distance of 200 miles to 800 miles say
one and one-half times, and for q haul
of over 800 miles the rate shall be no
more in Texas than is the inter-
state rate. Some abatement might
be allowed railroads in sparsely settled
portions of the state where business is
light, some allowance might be made on
short hauls for loading and unloading.
The legislature meeting every two years
or oftener If necessary, can make adjust
ments to suit changed conditions. This
would give mills in Texas a chance to
ship their flour and compete with mills in
Minnesota and Kansas. 1t will give the
corn raiser of Dallas O chance to ship his
product to Galveston or LAREDO and COM
pete with his rival north of Red river.
A manufacturer in any town in Texas
can then distribute his goods and COM
pete with the world. Let the legislature
also from time to time fix maximum rates
and other standard rates which will be
further check. 1t is hoped that the ag-
ricultural products of the north
western states will soon be passing
through Texas to deep water on our
coast. Such regulation as Is here pro-
posed will enable our farmers to deliver
their gram, cotton and beef on board the
steamers at rate as favorable as will
be enjoyed by the citizens of any other
state. The prospect of deep water
should properly be considered in connec-
ton with this subject. With it will
come competition by the construction of
new lines of railroad which lines must be
constructed under laws not now in eX-
istence. Let the legislature see to it in
future that no railroad bond is issued
without the authority of the state. This
will be an end of watered bonds and
stocks. There will be no appeal then to
Federal courts by railroad claiming the
right to earn interest aud dividends on
three or four times their original cost,
for the reason that the old heavily
bonded road will have to compete with
new roads and new conditions under
control of the state. The figures and
comparisons as to rates 1 give here are
not claimed
AS SAFE OR CORRECT.
They are simply given by way of Illus
tration. What these figures should be is
a matter of study, research and investi-
CATION by the legislature and its commit
tees. In addition to what is heretofore
suggested let the legislature appoint a
with purely executive power.
Let it be the duty of this COM
law in the statute book is thor
Oughly enforced. Give this commission
power of investigation to any extent into
them place an expert in any railroad
office they may select who can report to
them specifically and fully all the affairs
Of given corporation and the relation
Of that corporation to the commerce of
the state. Thus all these corpora tions
will have no secrets from the people. If
q servant of railroad refuses to answer
questions propounded, make such refusal
} misdemesnor and let him be introduced
to the nearest justice of the peace or
other tribunal for attention. At the end
Of a few months, after the appointment
Of such a commission they will be
ready to make some valuable sug-
gestions to the governor of the
state for TRANSMISSION to the legislature.
would go about this business systematic
,ally, carefully, like a business man,
because it is business purely. On viola |
lions of the law by corporation it should |
De the duty of this commission to take |
'ogniZance thereof, and with the assist |
ance of the law officers, local attorneys,
)r the attorney general, punishment can |
De made certain and swift. Such COM |
mission as this, fellow oitiZens, would be |
10 departure from the form of govern |
nent now prescribed in our constitution. |
L would be no blending of the three CO.
ordinate branches of the government |
aid down in said instrument, which |
branches are intended to, and should be |
brewer separate, independent and |
listinot. Such commission in |
ny judgment would do won
iers to secure to the people what they |
low demand by way of relief and protee-
ion from discrimination and the unfair |
now forced upon US by our |
Federal relations and the evident parti- |
llity of our railroads for industries and |
markets outside of Texas These are |
,ut my individual views. This question |
s grave one, and cannot be too care
ully considered. Useful results are |
What we want, not dangerous or radical !
Let, therefore, no malice, |
10 appeal to passion influence you on a
question affecting as this does the vital
interests of the state. 1t is unnecessary |
low to take time to hunt up and tabulate
he sins committed in the past. AS |
or me have had no time
or it. Had been candi-
late longer it might have been possible
nd profitable for me to do this. The
nd for US to attain is to see that these
TNIQUTTIEs SHALL CEASE.
That wrong shall exist no more if it be
n our power to prevent it, and that OPP
'ression of any class or interest of our