Telegram-herald., 1891-02-02


The Kalamazoo Telegraph is very
much frightened at the proposition con-
talned in the bill of Representative
Jackson, of Wayne, to purchase the
Michigan Central railroad. Il says:
''The whole scheme involves a pur.
chase OF the Michigan Central railroad
by the state and its operation under
state authority. IL thisis the only way
IN which the Michigan Central can be
brought under the general law and can
be made subject TO legislative authority,
the matter had better be dropped at
once. There are too many obstacles in
the way and the scheme involves prob
lens which ara untried and difficult of
solution. Ii involves also practical
confiscation of property, it is true, for
consideration. But although condem-
nation for public purposes is permis.
sible. this phase OF the question does
not present the greatest difficulties.
Supposlng the constitution Is amended
and the Michigan Central purchased
by the state for price decided upon,
the state OF Michigan would then have
an elephant on its hands. The question
OF government control of railroads 10 a
federal and not a state question. The
purchase and operation of single line
OF road within the confines of state
by the state itself, is, under existing
conditions, a hazardous undertaking. :"
However, the whole object of this
scheme - not To purchase the Michigan
Central but to force that road to give
up certain rights and privileges which
II enjoys under = special charter. But
will the road do II? Does il stand in ac-
tual fear OF confiscation and purchase
by the stste?''
There is an evident misunderstood.
ing of the whole question in the above
paragraphs. How the Telegraph, il it
has any comprehension of the case.
can talk of "confiscation" or "condeua-
nation" There is not the first element
OF either IN the scheme. The act OF
1915, whereby the road was sold and
tho Central railroad company incor-
porated, provides for . purchase by the
state after 1867, At . certain valuation
of the property. Tho company cannot
complain, for 1t accepted theroad upon
those conditions and has had the same
staring them in the face, from their
charter ever since.
As the Telegraph concludes, "the
whole object of this scheme is not to
purchase The Michigan Central. but 10
force that road togive up certain rights
and privileges which 4 enjoys under a
special charter" And that is exactly
what justfies the action. THIS il the
only way that company can be brought
under the general railroad law and, if
it's acknowledgements Of State Govern
menl az the peopls thought when
framing the constitution of 1850, that
ali corporations. except municipal.
should be organized under general
laws, then il is equally denrshse that
the three special charsers-the Michi-
gan Southern, the Michigan Central
and the Detroit q Milwaakee-should
be sxtinguished.
"But will the road do it Does ID
stand IN actual fear of coufscatlon and
purchase Of The Slater asks tia Tele-
graph. As before remarked, there il
no confscstion in the scheme. re The
company does not stand IN fear Of pur-
chase, Il is because il relies Gpcn TIE
usual lack Of backbone n the state,
when large sums Of money are con-
,esrned. When the valuation ct
the property i computed. it
msy nsTger TIE Lcg;sisture some