The record-union., 1895-12-25
ANOTHER GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.

When the Southern Pacific Company
brought proceedings to enjo1n the
Board Of Railroad Commissioners from
carrying into effect their threat to re-
duce rates of transportation 70 per
cent, we called attention to the fact
that this was a great opportunity for
those who had heretofore declared that
the railroads were over-bonded; that
the rates were too high; that material
reductions could be afforded, to come
into court, and show that these claims
and assertions were true. The Railroad
Commissioners themselves did not ap-
pear to be prepared for an emergency
like this. They had declared their in
tention to reduce % per cent; but
when called upon to show cause why an
injunction which had been sued out
should not be made perpetual, because
Of the equities underlying the case be-
ing on the side of the railroads, the
Board of Railroad Commissioners were
unprepared for the issue.
Mr. LaRue, in his own fatuous way,
has brought another matter under judi
cial scrutiny. Ever since the ratifica-
ton of the new Constitution and the
election of the first Board OF Railroad
Commissioners hereunder, the charge
has been made that the railroads have
controlled the commission by reason OF
illicit relation and illegitimate induce
ment; and that by this process of con-
troll it has enjoyed immunity from reg
ulation. Voicing this rumor, Mr.. La
Rue appears before the court in an affi-
davit declaring as a fact that such con-
troll has been exercised; that such in
fuences have been exerted; and, in gen
eral effect, that there have been no hon
est Railroad Commissioners until he
himself was elected to that office. 1t
was Roman maxim that Whom the
gods intend to destroy they first make
mad" and the proverb has its applica-
ton In the case of Mr.. LaRue.
The gentlemen who have heretofore
occupied the position of Railroad Com
missioner now come forward to declare
that the statements Of Mr.. LaRue are
gratuitous, irresponsible. erroneous and
false.
The career of the Commissioner from
the First District has been series of
blunders throughout. He accepted the
nomination for Commissioners upon
platform which declared that the rates
of transportation were excessive by p
per cent. 1t would have been a great
deal to say that they were excessive,
but to give this irresponsible assertion
the appearance and seemings of an as
certained fact. a figure is used;
measurement of excess Is stated, ard
% per cent is alleged as the excess of
reasonable rates with all the air of
pretended sincerity. Mr.. LaRue makes
a campaign in which he indorses the
platform of his party; leads his con-
stituents to believe that after due ex-
animation the rates Of transportation
are excessiVe; that the roads are over
bonded; that the shipper is paying to
support a large fictitious capital, aid
as Railroad Commissioner he actually
votes for a resolution proposing re-
duction of all rates by % per cent In
this he precipitated a judicial inquiry
as to the facts underlying the situa-
tion. He relied upon irresponsible ru-
NOR for the position he has taken and
suddenly found himself confronted
with a judicial inquiry.
In the second instance, he makes
affidavit In confirmation of the ire
sponsIble villification Of the press ard
The demagogues for the past sixteen
years, and in like manner his asser-
tion is to undergo judicial scrutiny
The story of excessive rates, equally
with the story of the improper iniiu-
ence which has controlled the Railroad
Commission Of California, would have
answered well enough for stories. Why
Mr.. LaRue should want to explode
them forever; why he should want to
relegate them to the shades Of silence,
is more than we can understand. There