The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1890-01-15
THE GOVERNOR AND THE RAIL.
ROADS

Governor Buckner's mess ige tC
the Legislature, while being one OF
the strongest documents sent to the
General Assembly for number OF
years, caused more than Judge Jack.
son to make reply. Mr.. Milton II.
Smith sent communication to the
General Assembly defending the &C.
ton of the l.. II n. in the railroad
legislation that came before the last
Legislature. Mr.. Smith recognizes
the right of the Governor to make
the suggestions to the Legis-
lature that he does, and he replies in
a manner both dignified and respect
full. The people well remember the
long controversy that occupied a
great deal of the time of the last Legis-
lature and the attempt made by the
railroad commission to have their
powers increased. Mr.. Smith very
successfully reviews this controversy
and the part taken by his company.
The average Legislator seems to be
ever ready to legislate on railroads
and nine times out of ten they know
little or nothing of the interest eff.
fected by their action. Mr.. Smith
says;
"The extent to which special legisla-
ton is carried in Kentucky, the multi
tude of laws affecting property inter
ests, both corporate and individual,
which are proposed, compel all who are
charged with the protection of such in
terests to watch Legislation, and often
seek to restrict it. Upon the part of the
larger corporations, especially the rail
road companies, whose business and
prosperity are more usually sensitive to
Legislative action, and injuriously affect
ed by unwise interference, such care
and diligence are absolutely necessary
if they would avoid great detriment.
"rhe Railroad Commission is itself
responsible for the recent controversy,
which has aroused so much feeling.
Not content with the functions it at pres
ent exercises, its members declared
before the Legislature met that
they would seek increased-and what the
railroad companies we're compelled to
consider exorbitant and extremely dan
gerous powers-powers which would
have virtually turned over their bust
ness and management to the control of
the Commission.
"He who expects men, worthy to he
invested with the responsibility of con-
Quoting the affairs of great corporations
with their manifold interests, and capa-
BILE of such direction, to quietly submit
to usurpation of this nature, even
though done by statutory enactment,
knows little of the interest involved.
The plans of the Railroad Commission,
as expressed in the report and formulat-
ed in a number of bills, were far-reach-
ing and comprehensive, concentra ting
in their hands power which, if exercised
by designing and INSCRIPTIONS men,
might control the politics of the State.
''In view of these proposed changes,
it is not strange that others beside of
ficers of the railroad companies should
recognize the necessity for counteract-
ing the influence brought to bear on
the Legislature to concede the demands
of the Commissioners. From our stand
point it was essential that the Legisla-
tnre should rebuke the commissioners.
The legislation they proposed would
have demoralized our business, retard-
ed the extension of our lines, created UNI
certainty concerning the future, and
practically conhscated property for the
management Of which we were RESPONSE
ble."
The paper closes by respectfully
asking the Legislature to make any
investigation it deems proper so that
it is done in an unparalleled man.
ner. Railroad corporations are very
much like individuals, and should
have just and judlcious laws under
which they may operate, alike pro.
tecting them and the people they deal
with.