The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-24

The Kent Railroad bill came up on the cal
endar as a special order at ! O'Clock. Alr.
Kent took the floor and resumed his re
marks in advocacy of the measure. The
speaker gave instances of IN ust discrlmlna-
tons and pointed out the q sastrous ELECTS
arising from the unfairness on the part OF the
railroads. lie said that the people and the
State should occupy the relation or co-paIt-
ners 10 the railroads, but TINS condition OF
things had been reversed, and now the STATE
was only q silent partner. Alr. Kent salu lhls
state of affairs reminded him OF the story OF
the apple which was cut IN lalf
bv a knife, poisoned only on one SIDE. Ohe
piece of the fruit brought disaster ana Woe
while the other caused happiness ana pros
perlty. Soft was with the railroads. 10 VIZ
GINA they weren W destructive anu injurious,
but TO those. interested in the workings OF the
lines they were wealth producing. Inc
sneaker then answered several OF the charges
made aoainst the bill and concluded with an
earnest appeal 10 the members 70 DO their
duty and support the measure. lis speech
though IN reference 90 q subject when auoris
but little scope for oratOry. was an exceed
ingly graceful and forcible one ana az times
evoked enthusiastic applause.
Mr.. RYAN. chairman of the House Commit
tee on Roads and Internal Navigation. made
an able argument IN opposition 10 the Dll.
He stated in the beginning OF his remarks
thot he WIS feeling very unWell. Mr.. Ryan
stated that be thought the measure was one
of the greatest Importance and that every
member should hear both sides OF the cues
ton and then determine whether or not ne
would vote for the bill. On the one mana
they were told that the bill would seriously
affect the Democratic party. while on tie
other they were informed that if u was passed
il would seriously affect the business interests
of the State. 4 good deal had been SAID
about party pledges. but IN the speakers
opinion, the Democratic party HAD mace no
promise with reference TO the passage OF the
Railroad bill. They could not Lave broken
any hedges. because no convention OF the
State committee was called last tail. Ia the
second place, the committee-th only BODY
having authority 10 make any promises
made none. IL was true the chairman OF the
State committee bad q conference with mem
bers of the Farmers Alliance about tins mat
ter but his latter organization did not fail TO
nut a third party in the field on account OF
any pledges. ,
Mr. Ryan added that similar charges had
been made IN reference 10 individual mem
bers. lie had the honor 10 represent a county
that had sent HIM TO the legislature Tor sew
eral terms. They had shown their confidence
in him by eXactlng no pledges. But even
had he been instructed 10 vote for the railroad
bill. ii he believed that Its passage would IN
i~uriously affect the State. Notwithstanding
pledges. lie would oppose the measure.
Mr.. RYAN then went on TO show the dIHer-
ences in the provisions Of the bill from the
existing law. While the latter states that the
railroad commissioner may regulate the rates.
the DILL provides that the three commits
sloners appointed by the Governor shall regu-
late the rates. The present commissioner has
only the power TO regulate rates when they
are in excess of the boundaries prescribed by
law. The regulation of rates by the commits
sioner would give great advantage 10 some
railroads over others. Much has been said IN
regard TO the working OF the Georgia railroad
law. but il Is an established fact that the rail-
road fares i'll Virginia. are twenty per cent
lower than in Georgia. Notwithstanding tne
re;Iroad commission. and on no railroad in
his State more than three cents per mile
was charged.
At $50. the time agreed upon for the va
eating of the chair, the bill was passed by un-
til to-day.