The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1892-01-08
Friday. JAM, 8, 1892.
The Railroad Bill.


The Kent Railroad Bill is one of the
most radical measures ever before the
Legislature of Virginia. Close upon the
heels Of it's passage will follow most dis
asterous results. Time is now ripe for
Virginia to enter upon an era of industrial
development and prosperity never before
equalled or even approached in her his
tory. One thing and that the most i'm
portant essential to bring about this con-
dition Of prosperity, is the building of new
railroads and the reaching out of those
that are already built. The passage of
this foolhardy Kent Bill will check per-
haps forever, all railroad building within
she confines of the Old Dominion and de-
stroy the efficiency Of those now operated
within her borders. The opportunity
which we now have for material develop
ment would slip from our grasp and Vir-
ginia would take place in the rear ranks
of che march of progress, were the Kent
Billie become Law.
It seems to US that it should be neccs-
ssry only to enumerate some of the pro-
visions of this remarkable bill to demon
etratc to sensible man how suicidal it
would be to incorporate such measure
90 this into the laws Of Virginia. The bill
provides for three commissioners at
salary Of $4,000 each. These commits
sioners are 70 have power TO tell the rail-
road com panies Of the State how much
sheYare to charge for carrying passengers
and freight over their own lines. The arc
90 dietateto the railroad companies how
many cars they shall provide, at what
stations the trains are tostop, and are, at
eheirpwn pleasure, to inform the owners
ofaailsoaas when their depot facilities are
insufficient ortheir tracks are not in aeon
SsSkion to suit the fastidious eyes of the
commissioners. Just for one moment
consider the absurdity Of the thing. Three
commissioners nominated by the Governor
and elected by the Legislature, are to
practically take the operation of The rail-
roads out of the hands of the owners and
assume control themselves, with power
70 uakc rates, dictate schedules. desg-
nate at what points stations arc to he
established, require the roads to be re-
paired at their own pleasure, designate
the number Of cars to be bought by the
owners of the roads, require that through
Grains shall stop at every station, and do
other things equally as absurd. With
such powers as these given to the com
miss;oners ono might be pardoncd for
aaking what would be left for the owners
Of the railroads to do. We suppose that
as the legislature has taken the control
of that which is theirs out of their hands,
they might be allowed to sit quietly by
md see their property wrecked by COM
missioners who, most likely would, be
broken down politicians.
The Posr has no favors to ask OF rail
roads. 1t always has and Will continue to
advocate what it considers is conducive
TO the general welfare, and our protest
against the passage of this bill is in the
interests Of the people of Virginia, whether
they be farmers, manufacturers, mechanics
or professional men. The interests ofail
are closely identified with the railroads.
aud blow struck, which will cripple the
railroads, will sooner or later be felt in a
disasterous way by the mass Of the people.
Virginia, and especially Southwest Yir-
ginia, has much at stake in this issue, land
our representativcs who allow this fool
hardy bill to become a law will be held to
a strict accountability when they come
before the people again.
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