The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-17
EXPRESS COMPANYIRATES
THE ATKINSON BILL AGAIN Up
IN THE SENATE.

The Amendment offered by Senator
Glenn the Immediate Subject of Dis
cussion-Its Author speaks in Its
Favor Senator Ellington Speaks in
Favor of Controlling Both the TX
press and Telegraph Companies.
ATLANTA, GA, Sept. 16.-The Senate,
after the reading of the journal this morn
ing resumed the discussion on the Atkinson
bill to put express aud telegraph companies
under the control Of the railroad commits
sion. Every senator was present. The dis
cussion was on the amendment Of Senator
Glenn TO exempt express companies and
Mr.. Glenn spoke in favor Of his amendment,
giving an explanation of the business of
express companies. Express companies did
banking, insurance and carrying business.
They owned no railroads They paid so
per cent. Of their charges to the railroad
companies. At one time the express COM
panies were under the control Of the commits
sion, and he knew of nothing which
had happened to place them back under
the commission. The commission exercised
its jurisdiction over the companies, but for
some reason they had had nothing TO do
wish them. He opposed complicating the
duties of the railroad commission. The
railroad commission might as well regulate
bank and insurance companies. He wanted
the commission to have just that power it
was intended to have. IL there was TO be
a commission let it be separate one.
ELLINGToN's STAND.
Mr.. Ellington thought both the Southern
Express Company and Western Union Tele-
graph Company were the largest monopo-
lies in the state He thought the common
carriers should be controlled by the conn.,
mission. The express company could make
its own prices. In his section the company
worked against the fruit growers. He gave
a history of the Southern Express Company
and showed how the property had in
| creased in value. The increase
had come from charging exorbitant
rates. The question with the company was
| not how reasonable the charges would be,
| but how much charges the goods would
stand. He then turned bis attention to the
telegraph company. These monopolies we're
watching the legislature to see if they
would stand by the people. He appealed
to the senators TO stand by the people.
Mr.. Cabaniss said he thought when he
came here that he would vote for a II easure
like this. but when he knew the facts in the
casa presented by Mr.. duBignon as attorney
that no such measure was necessary. The
constitution had provided for the regulation
of railroads because the state
had never relinquished the right Of eminent
domain over railroad property. He doubted
the constitutional right Of the Legislature to
pass such a law. The constitution gave no
right to regulate express, telegraph or
sleeping car companies. The questions to
be asked were: Have we the right, and, if we
have the right, is there necessity for such
legislation?
o'NEAL FAvoRs THE BILL
Mr.. ONeal spoke in behalf Of the bill and
against the Glenn amendment. He did not
doubt the right of the legislature to pass
such a law. AS to the necessity he quoted
the arrangement made between the govern
ment and the Western Union Telegraph
| Company. The express company was
making tremendous profit and their right
to Cypress the people should not be exercised
| without control. He read numerous letters
| complaining Of excessive charges by the
express company.
Mr.. Terrell said he must congratulate the
senator from the Twenty-ninth (Mr Filing
tom in referring to the democratic platform
as "our democratic platform" He thought
both the duty of senators to their constitu-
ents and the necessities Of the people re-
| Quired such legislation. The same argu-
ments had been made against the railroad
| commission. He wanted the commission to
have power to require these companies to
establish Offices at railroad stations.
MIR. Gambler gave his reasons for oppos-
| ing the measure. He regretted that the
section from which he came had not maze
the advancement other sections had made
| He had heard nothing, either before the
| committee or in the Senate, that made him
think such legislation was necessary. The
legislature had. come to the point where any
bill against any corporation could be passed
without questions Mr.. Gambler held the
floor till the hour for adjournment, and will
conclude tomorrow.