The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-12-30
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION.

attracted more general attention than
that now being agitated for the appoint
ment of board OF railroad commits
sioners for the State of Virginia.
just what advantage is to be derived
from the appointments of such a board
it is difficult to discern, but there is
virtually no limit to the mischief it
may accomplish.
The wonderful development which
has drawn the attention of the entire
country to Virginia during the past two
or three years is traceable directly to
the influence of our railroads. The
vast coal fields of the Southwest would
still be waste mountain lands had it
not been for the progressive policy of
the Norfolk and Western; the same is
true of the coal and iron territories
opened up by the Chesapeake and Ohio
and other roads in various portions OF
the State. These roads have made pos
sible the settlement of the State debt
by opening the way for the develop
ment of our resources and the conse
quent increase of the States revenues.
Wherever their lines have been ex-
tended taxable values have increased
and the revenues of the State augment
ed, until we are now, for the first time
since our enormous debt was incurred,
in situation to propose a settlement
with an absolute certainty of being able
to meet the interest thereon promptly
as it natures.
The present railroad laws of Virginia
are probably the most illiberal, with
one or two exceptions, of those of any
State in the Union, yet the present
movement is designed to hamper them
still further-to practically proclaim 10
the world that Virginia wants no further
development; that she wants the moss
to grow over her industrial plants, the
grass to grow in her streets and ruin
and desolation to walk hand in hand
throughout the length and breadth of
the Old Dominion.
Instead of imposing still further re-
strictions on railroads built or to be
built within the State, it would be far
better policy to abolish those already in
force, and thus open the way for the
further development OF our resources.
We understand that one of the objects
sought to be obtained by the proposed
measure is the equalization of passenger
and freight rates on the various lines.
The friends of the measure claim this as
one of the most meritorious features of
the bill. If such be the case, why not
extend its benefcence? For instance,
there are large numbers of newspapers
published in the State, with subscrip-
ton rates varying from fifty cents to Sc
per year. Why not give us board of
commissioners with unlimited powers?
They could then reduce all newspapers
to the fifty cent basis, adjust the wages
of the editor, compositors, pressman and
the devil, and also possibly indicate the
source from which tho money could be
obtained to pay the same.
Then we need board of farm product
commissioners. In Shendun, eggs are
selling at % cents a dozen, while in
Highland county, tho same amount of
money buys twice as many eggs, and
this applies in about the same proper
ton to all other classes of produce.
One farmer demands and receives 81 q
bushel for his wheat. while his neigh
Dor probably sold for 95 cents. These
matters require regulating, and in order
to place all the farmers on an equal
footing we must have commission to
compel all farmers to sell their pro-
ducts at uniform price-the lowest of
course.
A general merchandise commission
should also be established, with power
to inflict dire punishment on any mer-
chant who would dare to charge cents
pound for sugar when some other mer-
chant, perhaps in an adjoining county,
was selling the same grade of sugar at
Az cents.
The governor of Michigan receives
salary of $1,000 a year, while Virginia
pays fays for the same service SIS. 600
per year. We want board Of guberna-
torial salary commissioners at once to
cut off that useless expenditure of
81, 00O-to be sure. the salaries of the
board might aggregate from $4,000 to
$4,000, but look at the saving made in
the executives salary.
This list might be extended inde6-
nitely. and any one of the suggestions
we have offered is just as sensible and
practicable as the one to establish the
railroad commission.
The gIst Of the whole matter seems
to be that few broken down politicians
have discovered plan for providing
themselves with soft berth, and are
working 1t for all it is worth. What
we want in Virginia is fewer politicians
of this class and more railroads, and it
is to be hoped that our Legislators will
see the absurdity Of the scheme pro-
posed and defeat its passage.
We want no such retrogressive
measures at this time. Better estab.
lish home for broken down politicians,
regardless of previous party predictions,
and support them at the public expense,
as is the case with other unfortunate or
afflicted citizens, than to put them in
position such as the one proposed,
where little possible good can. and
irreparable damage may, be done to the
State and to those who have done so
much to increase her actual wealth.
For breaking tho Gate.
Charles Taylor, one Of the drivers of
the Sands Transfer Company, was tried