Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-11-17
A CONSERVATIVE couRsE.
The virginia Legislature WIN Probably
Pass a d-Commission BIZ.

The virginia Legislature VIII Probably
Pass oad-Commlssion BIZ.
Especial dispatch to the Baltimore SUM-
RIcHMosp, VA, November i2--The Vir-
Rinia Democratic leaders are to-day calmly
reviewinr the snags that were avoided IN
the contest recently closed In tins State.
n IL freely admitted that but for the
wise and temperate policy OF Chairman
Eljyson these might have proved serious
obstacles in the waY OF success. In the
first place had the Alliance state ConVen,
ton adopted the course that was ieare9
and formulated q radical railway OIL IL
would have given trouble. THIS was only
prevented BY the wise counsels OF JUDI
cioug leaders who were acting in concert
with Democrats.
Had bill for the creation Of commits
sion which the roads opposed, been
agreed upon and made an issue in the
Campaign it would, it Is confessed. have
given trouble. This, however, was wisely
disposed of, and the result was an easy
victory for the Democrats.
The Democrats will pursue o conserve
tive policy toward the farmers. The rail-
road.commission bill Will, IL seems certain,
be passed by the Legislature this winter.
The principal railroad corporations are
willing to accept a measure formulated
upon the lines of the interstate commerce
law. with such notifications as may be ne
cessitated by its application to the
State. They are not willing 70 &c
cent. and it is freely conceded they
will antagonize, any bill which under
takes to clothe the members OF the COM
mission with arbitrary powers. The more
radical members of the Alliance are not
willing 10 be placated Sby the offer or o
measure modelled after the one here out
lined. This was demonstrated during the
canvass in Senator Wickhan's district.
That gentleman indicated his willingness
| to propose a bill for establishing COM
mission upon the lines of the interstate
commerce law He was told, however, by
some of the Alliance speakers who opposed
| him that they were not willing TO accept bis
offer. and preferred TO continue the night
| in the hope of obtaining something more
acceptable to them. One feature when
| they urged as particularly obiectionaole
was the "long and short haul" Ihey un;
| dertook to demonstrate that TINS wonla
not give the same proportlonate rate per
mile for short that it would for long dis
| tances.
Senator Barbour and many other intiu-
| entail Democratic leaders favor the enact
| ment of a law creating commission.
| Their ideas, however, are that this mea-
sure should be a conservative one, ana not
such as will seriously trammel or at all I'M
| peril the business of the railroads.
There is another phase of the Alliance
| demands, that while it may not force IT
| self prominently forward, is likely to be
| factor in determining the policy OF the
course of the Legislature IN those matters
| this session. This is the effect an impo,,
| little course may have upon the national
contest in Virginia next year. Few or
none belive that any third-party move
ment can carry away with il any number
Of Democrats. If pushed with energy It
might. however, absorb enough soreheads
| and malcontents to threaten the Demo-
| cratic majority in this State.
However remote such thing may be, 1t
will be considered by those having In
| charge the destinies of the Democratic
party. 1t is not the purpose OF those TO
permit such q threatened movement to
| jeopardize the success next year. -,
Leading men believe that Malone VIII
pull himself together next year, snd II
| there is the slightest show of his making a
| Judgment will enter the fight with all OF
his old-time vigor and strength.