Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-01-05
The Railroad Commissioner.

10 the Editor ofthe alexandria Gazette:
have been very much gra:iied to notice,
more han once, within the lssS few weeks,
oct you have epdt avored 10 give our
iends IN R'chmond-and, 80 fsr ss that is
3oucsrneG, ali over tha 8 ate--scme very
wise and sound advice concerning legisIa-
ton on the sutj ,ct OF railroa5P. Ss Is now
proposed ln Virginia In the shape OF com-
mlssop bill.
The GAZETTE s one CT the few pewsps-
ne:s In our STATE that have had sbe courage
aud manilness to boldly procleim its Views
AID convictions IN The facs Of what is termed
strong pubic continent, bnt watch really
is notting more ;haD the result Of prejudice
upoo the part ot some, the lack OF iGfoime-
tiou an6 knowledge upon the part OF q NE
jo1ity OF the people. and the impression
which s beicg erected by 3 numerous horde
o; ffics .ssekers.
I believe I understand the railroad siiua-
li3n in Virginia pretty thore hIy, ard am,
20 large extent, acquainted with 1t In osk-
or Ststss end sections Of the country, end
30 Uos hesitate 10 say that the rates charged
by he lines In Virginia are less than prevail
In any other State and, Within the limit Of
their means and ability, the railroads Of Vir.
ginis are doing ell that is possible 20 furnish
satisfactory facilities to the people, and de.
ve'op aud build up the State. know, Of
my own knowledge, that they heve contr.-
Duted more to this end than eny other In
terest within the State. Furthermore,
through the Influence and assistance of per
sons Interested in the transportation lines Of
Virginia, the democratic party, representing
the honesty and intelligence of the Stale,
hes been sustained and aided By these
means, and without which assistance sm
satisfied everything would EaVe gone, long
ago, to the devil.
II would be very unfortunate day indeed, /,
for the people In our good old State whenever
hey decide upon enecting radical and to-
jurIous legislation towards the railroads,
aad trust you will continue giving to your
readers this good advice which you have
been givipg them for the last few weeks.
The whole thing. after all, is bunkum and
rot, and, as I have said above, 1t is pretty
much the result of the Efforts Of large
number of individuals to secure positions.
With forty or afty, or perhaps, hundred
men distributed throughout the different
sections OF the State, all expecting TO se-
cure position upon the commission as soon
ae it is created, you can readily see aud IN.
derstsnd that 1t Is, OF course, to their inter-
est that law should be enacted creating
com omission, and they naturally talk the
matter up and thus theimpression gels abroad
that there Is q demand upon the part OF the
people for such legislation. do not believe
Ia IL at all, for know that II it was decided
there should be law, but no Offices to be
given, it would not be long before We would
not bear any more OF the matter.
have been glad to see, by newspaper re.
| ports, thst there seems to be some prcbs.
blity OF an early and satisfactory termins-
| ton OF the debt question Ia Virginia. Such
| result is to be devoutly prayed for, and, II
| 1t Is brought about TO the satisfaction OF
| both parties, it means brighter future for
the coed OLD State. However, 1t would be
| most unfortunate fer Virginia, upon the
eve OF accomplishing this end, TO publish
| aoroad 20 The world that, now, having GOT
| ten rid OF the debt question, the s a'e pro-
poses 70 turn in and confIcate and shrostle
railroad property eaG yeilrosi develop
u1snt.
Oar frierds cf he Richmcud Dispatch
who never seem to have any decided g!e|s
about soy mstter other thsu to shape them
80 se 10 be in accord with what they think
10 tie nnbiio ciamoY-bsve placed then
selyea Ia very ridiculous position on this
question. Il YES proclaimed thai IL wae
wrong to adopt ,hs Ken: bill, whioh gives
The commission the power TO fx ard req
ate ratas, bat. la tins very next breath, II
recommends the adoption OF c law t5 which
the railroads shall have the right to oriei
ns,e rates. and the commission the poTes
20 sey whether they shall staDd, or whether
they shall be changed. You csn readily see
the ridiculous view Of the too positions.
wnich are pract csIy ore and the same.
T. N ,tter o. prloe ans tru7 !over OF
III. a 80 T,memb.r how conservative
V,rgia,a ha- 80 fer beer on ;bis an j-ct, and
/ ,ust che may never be SO unwise es 10 60
IF nn tae radical line now suggested, and
hops you will oontinue TO strike frcm ths
shoulder.
AZ seid above, the records will show ;ha:
the rates In Vrgnis are to-day lower than
in almost any o;her State similarly situated;
aud 1 know that, fer the past nine or ieo
years, there hes bsen constant. gtsdual
rsdnoicn of tbs raies In Vireiala from year
&c gear. F1Fthermcre, these interests are,
to-day, returning more revenue TO tte Sts!e
and commuuites, in this wsy CT axea, ttac
aug other ore interest.
A VIRGINIAN IN GEORGIA.
RNTTA z.