The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-14
Agricultural Depression and Rail-
way Greed.

way Greed.
Governor Albeit makes at least two
recommendations in his message
which the present Democratic Legis-
lature must certainly realize before it
a adjourn with credit. There are
the much mooted taxation reform and
the creation of a Railway Commission
in the interest of the farmers of the
State. On the former topic we have FIRE
quently spoken, and we expectto return
to the subject at an early day. Just now
we desire to direct attention to the
Governors important remarks upon
the decline of the farming interests of
the State and the relations OF railway
greed thereto. Speaking Of the opin-
ion expressed by farmers themselves
on the agricultural depression, the
Governor says
Third-There seems to be a universal com
plant against unjust freight discrimination. 1t
being alleged that the transportation companies
charge as much for short hauls from points in
New Jersey as they do for long hauls from points
outside of the State. Complaint is also made In
reference to milk; that it Is carried by the
transportation companies in refrigerator
cars from points outside of the State, thereby
enabling II TO reach the market In much better
condition than from any point within the State.
After considering all the communication the
committs (of the State Board of Agricultural de-
cided, among other things, to approve the pas
sage of an act similar TO that proposed by as
sembly bill $40 for the sreation OF a railroad
commissiod,
The Governor sums up the whole
subject thus:
After carefnlconsiieration Of the entire sub
tect, and with an earnest desire to suggest some
practical methods of relief, l have reached the
conclusions that, independent Of Intelligent &C.
tion on the part of the farmers to adapt them
selves to the changed condition Of affairs, as sug-
gested by the secretary Of the State Board in his
report, the greatest measures Of relief must
come from Congress. 1t is the duty Of the Legis-
lature, however. to do all that lies within its
constitutional powers to relieve this industry
from unjust burdens. To secure this desirable
result I recommend
d I recommend that there be created a com
missioner of agriculture, TO bs appointed by the
governor and confirmed by the senate, whose
duties shall be defined by law, and embrace
those usually vested ia such an official under
the legislation of other states.
l also advise that the Secretary Of the State
Board Of Agriculture acs as his secretary, so as
TO bring him in direct relation with the State
Board, and secure the benefits of active Co
operation with the representative farmers
organizations of the State. I am salts
fed that the interests Of agri-
culture will be greatly advanced by
having a state official whose duty 1t viii be to
inquire into all the grievances and complaints of
those engaged in agriculture, ascertain the
views Of representative organizations of that
industry, and devise measures for practical re-
lief.
No citizen of ordinary discretion
and impartiality can fail to agree with
Governor Albeit in these utterances.
Yet this very a for the appoint
ment of a Railway Commission is the
particular one which the Republican
press has singled out in advance of
the meeting of the Legislature for its
bitterest opposition. Papers like the
State Gazette foresaw that a Demo
cratic administration would be sure
to confer this great benefit on the
public, and with their usual subser-
viency to corporation influences. they
began a wild anticipatory fight
against it,
Let US hope the Republicans in the
the Legislature will follow their ex-
ample. The Democracy desires 10
win the agricultural class to its side.
1t will have little difficulty if the
party lines are closely drawn on this
great measure for the protection of
the farming interests.