The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-18

James G. mcguire.
weak and hungry, made his escape through
the skyliCht. leaving his constituents. or as
many Of them as are willing that the new
administration shall cast the burden Of Office
upon their patriotic shoulders. TO believe
that be was still inside.
When they discovered the trick played
upon them they were wroth.
I'VE will have the skylight Dramatically
sealed tomorrow" they said. "and bring
cot beds and blankets with U.s."
Whatever else Mr.. Mcguire may be, he Is
aman OF ideas. He has strong notions of
how the nation ought to be run, aud when
be gets 10 Washlngt on be Is not going to be
backward about coming forward.
And Il was TO get an mixing OF how Mr..
Mcguire proposes to reform things that
CALL man joined the electors of the Fourth
District yesterday afternoon.
There are three open doors TO MIR. Ma
CURES private Office. Through one OF
them THE CALL man finally managed to
squeeze himself, though the electors kicked
hard to see a man not in the district getting
10 ahead Of them.
But THE CALL man didn't want a Job,
and If Judge MaguiTe didn't say it out IN
words at least he looked prayer of thank
fitness that tate had sent him one disinter-
ested visitor.
If you will jUst excuse me for one
minute" he said 20 THE CALL man, as one
OF his prominent constituents button
h0led him, i will talk with You little"
That was the first interruption. II lasted
ten minutes, and was by far the shortest Of
the many Interruptions which followed.
TIE interview, including the interruptions.
lasted four hours by the clock.
The new Congressman is not rapid
talkeT at best In his own Office for pub
licati0n, he speaks carefully and thought
fully. and slowly enough TO permit a rapid
longhaGd writer TO repeat him verbatim.
The legislation Of the United States has
never satisfactorily settled the questions Of
taxation, RAILROAD transportation, telegraph
service Of finance" he SAID In answer to
THE CALL mans inquiry as TO the pTinci-
pies and reforms De expected 20 advocate in
the next Congress.
Aud none of these questions can ever be
settled TO the satisfaction Of the people Of
this country until the principles Of natural
justice shall be made the basis Of their legal
settlement.
1T is my purpose, so far as possible, to
promote the settlement of all Of these
YeXed questions by the strict sld unFieG-
ing adherence to the rule of equal rights to
all and special privileges to none.
Take the railroad transportation Ques-
tion first Applying this principle to"
Here one of the doors opened and tall
man with a silk hat in bis hand entered to
say lust one word" II took him twenty
minutes 10 say it,
Now, where were we? Oh, yes. Ap-
plying this principle to the question Of rail
70 ID monopoly we discover at once that the
oppressive power Of railroad corporations
rests entirely upon their private ownership
and control Of the several rights OF way and
TOadbeds Of the country.
The recent Investigations by the Legis-
latuTe at Sacramento show Pretty cOnclu-
sively that railroad commissions have
everywhere proved themselves Incompetent
10 protect the people against railroad ex-
tOrtion
''And wherever the matter has been left
TO the control Of the State Legislature they
have failed, not so much because OF their
dishonesty as because of the utter INSULT
CLERGY OF their knowledge of matters that
must be definitely understood in order to
intelligibly fix rates Of fares and freights.
IF the county roads OF the several States
we're delivered over 10 the control OF private
corporations, Legislatures and commissions
would find It'll greater difficulty in fixing
rates Of freight and fares on stages and
other cOnyeyances over such roads.
There can be no solution Of the railroad
question
Tin the case Of Thug against Bug" in
terrupted the senior partner, "the young
lady herself IS outside and would like to
speak 10 you just moment"
We'll, perhaps I'd better 60 out for
second. You won't mind waiting that long?"
The CALL map asseuted.
Half an hour later Mr.. Mcguire came
back and sighed. Then be said he guessed
there would be no more Interruptions
49, IN my Judgment, which does not
involve the abolition Of all special privileges
Of all railroad companies 10 the rights Of
way and road beds, and making the rail-
roads public highways IN the same sense in
which county roads are now highways, open
70 free competition Of all capitalists who
may desire to build and operate freight and
passenger trains over them.
af.rlla hair .f-
should open railroad highways wherever
they may be needed, should build and main
tain tracks, bridges, depots and other fixed
incidents Of railroad operation. These
highways should be open TO the operation
OF private trains in full and free cOmpeti-
ton under direction Of government officers,
and according TO time schedules and other
regulations made by those in charge of the
roads.
This plan would entirely destroy the
monopoly that now exists in the railroad
business, and would leave private capital in
free competition to regulate freights and
fares according to the unerTing law of trade,
which makes prices tend toward the mini
mum for which service can be rendered.
1T would at the same time avoid the
double danger of maintaining vast army
Of railroad operatives in the public service.
and would stimulate instead of retarding
Improvements and inventions in the way Of
promoting comfort, speed and safety in the
use anu operation Oh railroads, Wniie the
Government operation of railroads would
tend TO bring improvements in transporta-
ton 10 a slandstll.
Private competition gives US the magnif-
cent elevators in the Mills building, while
government operation confines US to the
ancient and unsatisfactory devices used in
the new City Hall and Appraisers build
ing.
''This is the plan upon which the Erie
canal is maintained and operated. 1t reeog-
niZes the mantenan and control of the
highway as a public function, but recog-
nzes the operation OF such carriages as may
be suitable for the transportation Of freight
and passengers thereon as the private fGnc-
ton thus absolutely doing away with the
monopoly that now Expresses, and at the
same time keeping the Government entirely
out Of the details Of the business Of trans
poTiati0D.
1.-THE building -"
I''If you will excuse me inst one moment
while see this gentlemanY
The CALL man said he would-seeng
there was no way out Of it-and Mr.. Ma
guire went over in the corner OF the room
aud promised Mr.. - that his application
for the Samoan -nortfoli0 If properly in