Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-20
SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 20, 1890.
Railroad Reform.

For the first time in the history or inns
State the cities and the counties II seems
are 10 join hands in an effort TO secure re-
forms in the railway service.
Heretofore town and country people have
proceeded separately. Often indeed, they
have violently antagonized each other.
Now, since II clearly appears that their IN
forests are almost identical, it is contem-
Mated that they shall move together in an
effort TO secure such legislation as Will give
10 the farmers aud businessmen of Nir-
pinia equal advantages with outsiders.
This is the meaning of the convention
proposed by the Chamber of Commerce 10
which il will invite delegates from all the
trade organizations OF the cities and from
all the farmers alliances.
Neither the date nor the basis of repre-
sentation has been fixed Both have been
referred TO the Chambers Committee on
Inland Trade, who will within short
while report upon these and other de-
tails.
The meeting will not be held until after
The November election.
Richmond has grievances that II mas
yainlv endeavored TO abato by appeals to
the railroad companies. We asked that ms
10 certain Piedmont and Valley country
we should be- put upon footing Win
Baltimore and were refused. We request
ed that we might be put upon an equality
with Washington. ID. c., as TO round-trlp
tickets 10 New York and were denied. Inc
Virginia Midland, the Shenandoah-Nalley,
the Baltimore and Ohio. and the Pennsyl-
vania Central are the roads against which
the chief complaints are made.
Sections Of Virginia nearer and more
convenient TO Richmond than TO Baltimore
are compelled to deal with the latter.
The Midland Company, indeed, declares
that this city is not the natural market for
the counties along its line, whereupon the
Chamber of Commerce committee aptly
saws: IF this be true tho road could lose
nothing by granting our demand lfor pro-
per connections at Gordonsvlllel, tor lett
free trade and travel true to their interest
will find their natural channel. II, on the
other hand. Richmond offers 10 the grow
ers Of grain and merchants Of that section
(as she undoubtedly does by reason of her
proximity as great or greater induce
ments than foreign markets, it Is no part
Of the function of public highway by the
creation Of prohibitory tolls and connec-
tions to deny such benefits"
These are some-nOt sll-of our griev-
Rnces: other localities have others, and
the Chambers committee voices the sentl-
ment Of this community when ii says that
lit seems wise and proper that the source
whence the roads derived their large grants
Of power should now place such proper
guards upon the exercise of that power "a
the public interest demands. This matter
is clearly going TO the Legislature, and the
only question IS whether it shall reach that
BODY as the result Of discussion AMI de-
liberation such as is provided for in the
suggestion of convention. or whether 1t
shall 90 there as the manifestations of an In
dignation now prevalent throughout the
State. and which, however well founded,
il not the temper of mind from which wise
legislation can reasonably be hoped"
Yea. this matter is gong to the Leglsla-
ture. and If the town and country people
are united instead of beng antagonistic OF
divided as heretofore the result will be
notifications of our present laws govern
ing transportation companies, and the
adoption of policy which will give to Vir.
GINA cities and counties an equal chance
with outsiders in the lace tor business.
This movement on the part of the Cham
Der is encouraged and supported by great
numbers of tillers of the soil. II il not 6
mere local squirt. but general uprising Of
Virgimans.
We hope and expect TO see the subject
calmly considered. Passion should not
enter here. 1t is great business and eco
nomic question, and we should be as deter
mined not to wrong the railroads as thai
they shall not be permitted to wrong us.