The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1891-12-11
RAILROADS.
SHALL THE aOvERHMHNr OWN
THEM.

SHALL THE aOvERNMnNr OWN
THEM.
OF all the vast problems with which
the nineteenth century, with it's
increasing complexity of civilization
has had to deal, the most gigantic
Of those still Unsolved is the question
of corporate influence and control.
Tie question is the more difficult from
the fact that it is one, not of princi-
pie, but of practice, for all experience
demonstrates that conflicts based upon
an opposition of Two cOnteuding Prin-
ciples are more easily solved than
those which are based upon the appli-
cation of a principle, conceded by
both parties, to existing conditions.
From the inception Of corporate exist
ence it has been universally held that
corporations are the creatures of the
government, and as such, subject to
the almost unlimited control and
supervision OF their creator. With
railroads. this principle has been
cauied farther than with any ether
form Of Incorporation, from fact
that to them are delegated certain
functions that all authorities agree
are purely governmental, to-wit: the
establishment of highways. The courts
have repeatedly held, that it is because
of this fact, that the government has
a right TO enact and enforce maximum
that they are in their nature simply
toll roads of higher class, and as
such, derive their powers and the
right to exist from the government
they also derive from it the right to
impose a reasonable rate for the
privilege of using their highway, which
rate is subject to the unqualified con-
troll of the granting power. So far as
known, but one court has ever under
taken to limit that power by saying
that it must be exercised within
reasonable limit and must not amount
to a confscation Of the private capital
embarked in such enterprise. All
other DECISIONS, and they are many,
have refused to PlucS a limit urOn the
exercise Of this power by the govern
meut.
The constitution provides khat con-
gress shall have pow er TO establish
postonces and post roads. The
government, by virtue eff the right of
eminent domain, has power to take
any private property for public use,
AMI tins right Is only limited by the
duty of making due compensation
therefor. These things being admitted,
as fundamental nnd thoroughly estab-
lished, the question Of government
ownership and control becomes one of
practice; of extending the application
of principles already largely exercised
still farther: question of expediency
and not of principle, a matter of
figures and not of abstract reasoning
The evils Of the present system are too
well known, of such crying notoriety,
Of such oppressive hardship, of sucE
wastefuIness and extravaganza, that
they need no argument. They are
evident 10 every one, and are conceded
by the leading railroad men Of the
country themselves. IL is = question
then Of a rsmedy for. admitted evils
The two remedies proposed are govern
menU ownership, a more rigid super
vision. As AN advocate OF the former,
I take the liberty OF submitting some
ideas anu figures on the subject, none
Of which are possibly new, or unknOwIt,
10 your readers. but as they have
never been presented in print in the
way they appear 10 me, I shall tIke
the liberty Of surprising that to some
exteat they wiz be new to the readers
+ OF THE GHAPHiC.
The azst question in tie examination
Of any new system is tins considers
ton Of IT'S praeueability. NO uattar
how honefui ef results it may appear
er Nhat benefits il may offer, it IS =