Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-01-20
Stanton Specialize.
. WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY goth. 1892.
The Railroad Commission.

This subject is now exciting considerable
interest and is being discussed by the Press
and considered in the Legislature. AS to
the character of the bill which should be
adopted there is great diversity of opinion.
It is an important subject and should be
carefully considered bsfore action is taken,
for an unwise law in reference to the man
agement of the railroads would inflict great
injury on the State, for there is nothing
that is doing so much for the interests and
convenience of the people and the develop
ment of the resources of the State as tho
railroads; and they do more than that
they increase the business and social inter
course of all parts of the country, and do
more to break down seotionalism and to
make US more united and harmonious
people than any other agency.
We would repeat the opinion we express
ed when the Legislature first assembled,
that in legislating in reference to the rail-
roads our Legislators should act with due
caution and deliberation, else they might
skill the goose that lays the golden egg"
Whilst Staunton and Augusta county are
deriving the benefits they do from the rail-
roads they have, and are now anxious to
get more, and are inaugurating steps to &C
complish that purpose, it would be not only
unwise, but ungracious, for our community
to manifest disposition to hamper the
management of the railroads, which would
certainly not conduce to securing capital
lists to build the new roads we want
In discussing this question of the rail
road commission, the Norfolk 'Landmark"
says:
s'If there were real need of restrictive or
reformatory railroad legislation in VIr-
ginia, then it would be worth while to have
q railroad bill passed, after a most careful
and intelligent investigation of the difficult
ties to be overcome and the errors to be
corrected. 1t would be necessary to ex-
anime the railroad rates which are COM
planned of, in relation to the fixed charges
and regular expenses of the companies, SO
as to know whether it would be possible to
reduce tariff any further without entailing
absolute loss on the corporation. 1t would
be necessary, in word, to become perfect
" acquainted with the reason for the par
tioular action complained of or the policy
under which such action was directed. It
is perfectly plain that the measure now be-
fore the House of Delegates was considera-
ed without reference to any such construct
tons; and we shall be much surprised if its
patron is able to show, when the time
comes to debate it, any sufficient reason for
its passage.
On the other hand, We have no doubt
that it can be shown that the railroads of
Virginia are conducting their business up
on rational, economical and just principles,
and not without consideration for the very
interests which this legislation is intended
to subserve. Indeed this has already been
shown.
1t ia not sufficient answer to this argu-
ment to say that the majority of the pres
ent members of the Assembly were elected
on a railroad issue, and that they feel con-
strained to pass some kind of a railroad
law. If they, upon reflection, fail to see q
sufficient cause for any more extensive
commission than exists now, they are
surely not expected to 60 on, in spite Of
reason, and enact law which they cannot
approve.
It would be far better that they should
pass q joint resolution instructing the
Board of Agriculture or Public Works to
Investigate and report II, In It's Judgement,
there is any necessity for additional rail
road legislation. 1t would be a great mis-
fortune for this State to put on her statute
books now a crude, unphilosophical and
immature statute which would embarrass
pubic enterprises, and subject her to the
just criticism of being so narrow, iliberal
and ignorant as to take up policy which
has been found worthless elsewhere and
been thrown aside. Virginia has long had
areputation for producing thoughtful and
broadminded statesmen. Her record should
not now be marred by public act which
will discredit her intelligence and cripple
her progressive spirit"