Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-01-06

of much property and some lives are
directly tFaeeable % lis use. As
large majority of our peop'e are de
pendent on lts use ~ lishiak purposes,
ID : hoped that no tsme wisl ne lost ~
providing such test IS shait MAKE II
safe for use. and at TIE same u1sis give
II greater illuminating power.
Taxation 81 kasIssad Coapsnts.
We have IN our state a few railroads
vh,cn were pioneeTs Ut their kind and
were granted special charters and spe-
cial privileges. They are TO-DAY among
the most prosperous OF our great sys-
tenn OF railroads. They have contrib
uted much 60 the growth aud prosper.
ity of our state, apd have reaped
golden reward therefor. They have
now become al arlstocracy or prlvl-
legged class of railroads. both as TO rates
charged and taxes paid. This condl-
ton 10 unjust To tue general law roads.
and unjust tn the people of the state.
A state - no more justified IN breach
of contract than an Individual. but IN
some instances the railroads have
themselves broken the crontfact. and
when this has not been done the char
tiers themselves provide . means for
their repeal. LIZ only needs To be
stated that rallroans. ike individuals.
should be governed by the same laws,
and he subject to the same burdens. for
the support 81 the government. | trust
thls question will receive your early
aud careful attention.
ouarantine.
1t 10 not unreasonable to expect a
visitation Of cholera to this country
during the ensuing year. Several of
the main lines of railroad run through
this state, and the increased travel from
the old country TO the Columbian Ex-
position will menace the danger to the
people of this state. The necessary
legislation should be enacted TO place
unquestiened authority in the hands OF
some state authority for effective quar-
antine, and at the same time not un-
necessarily interfere with travel and
tNslness. An amount sufficient TO carry
out the provisions OF such an enact
ment should also be made.
street and Highway Crossings of Rail-
roads.
The increase in number and spe ed OF
trains and the increase IN the amount
make the need of come more adequate
protection ut these crossings more i'm
portant. The commissioner of rail-
r. ads is authorized to order gates ard
fiagmen at snch crossings as he may
deem necessary. Thisis difficult and
delicate task, and by far the most re-
sponnble duty which the commissioner
of railroads 10 called upon to perform.
A III do "A q N N
expenses involved prevents ordering
gates at all crossings, and it is Q very
| delicate question to determine just
where q crossing has become dangerous
enough TO require protection. and in
any event the system is an expensive
one to railroad companies and by no
means provides for anything like alb
solute safety. The Commissioner is
also authorized to order bridges, but
there 10 no means to provide for the
damage done to adjoining property
| when the approaches extend beyond
the right of way of the railroad com.
! pany.
In some of our larger cities there il
now an urgent demand for some
means to AVOID the danger, annoyance
and delay incident to these grade
1
has come when some provision should
be made by law for the separation OF
the grade of streets or highways and
railroads which should have In view
the gradual but final abolition OF grade
| crossings Of streets or highways and
railroads. Such law would be in the
interest of true economy In mainte.
nance and operation on the part oil
railroads, and q saving of time, annoy.
ance and life and limb on the part OF
the people.
You are intrusted with the vast re-
sponsipility of legislatlng for two and q
quarter million of people. 1t IS for you
TO determine what laws shall be passed
for their government and control, how
much and for whatpurpose money shall
be appropriated, and who shall be the
| representative of this great common
wealth in the highest legislative body
in the world for the next six years. All
these duties are important to your.
selves and to those you represent. AZ
the representatives of as intelligent
! energetic and business like a people q!
there are in the world, l believe your
| work will be done In such manner a!
such people do their private business
promptly, intelligenlly, thoroughly
and with that wise economy which
prudent business men exercise in theil
own affairs. JOHN L. Rich.