The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-30


tics is well known. and when the rail-
roads OF Virginia meddled with the cleo
ton OF a senator in Congress from this
State several years ago. The Times gave
voice TO its protest in no uncertain
sound.
But We are equally opposed TO any
movement on the part OF the virginia
Legislature whose purpose Is to cripple
the railroads and to punish them because
the officers OF the company see Mt to
exercise the right OF American citizens TO
vote their convictions.
We are opposed to any railroad meas
ure which shall be inspired by any such
sentiment as that expressed in the
above paragraph from the Louisville
newspaper.
We have recently taken occasion 10 con
graduate the Georgia Legislature that
no measure antagonistic TO enterprise
was introduced In that body during It's
late session. The Kansas idea was dis
carded and the members OF the Legisla-
ture said by their action that Georgia
was determined to promote enterprise
and not hinder II by Populistic legisia-
ton. II will be Notifying indeed and
disappointing TO US. If we cannot extend
our congratulations TO the Legislature
Of Virginia. when it's labors shall have
been completed. on the same score.
We have not seen the Withers' bill re-
ferred TO and we do not know just what
il provides We do not mean TO say that
railroad commission is necessarily an
tagonistic to the best interests of rail-
road corporations Such a commission.
under conservative management. ana
operating as just medium between the
railroads and the people may be sood
thing and we do not suppose that the
railroads would object to II. But II the
measure creating the commission be IN
spired by the sentiment Of the Louisville
Dispatch. il cannot but do harm both 10
the railroads and 10 the material inter-
ests of the State.
Our view on this question was express
ed In a general way i'm an article print
ed in yesterdays Times. The railroads
OF Virginia constitute large percentage
of the wealth of the STATE. and are ne
cessariy the most important factors IN
the development OF the country through
which they pass. Their own interests
demand that they shall exert themselves
10 build up the country along their
lines and the country tributary thereto.
and no laws are necessary 10 accomplish
that end Their relations with their pa
irons are reciprocal and the interests OF
railroad and patrons are mutual. Rail
roads prosper most when their patrons
are prosperous. and when their patrons
are impoverished. the railroads are i'm
poverished. No branch of business has
suffered more during The period of hard
times through which this country has
passed than the railroads. and this was
made manifest by the depreciation In
value of railroads stocks and by the large
number of lines that were forced into
the hands of receivers.
According TO the last report which we
have at hand as TO the condition OF the
railroads of the United States, their ag-
gregate mileage is 1872 1903 miles. Their
capital stock is s742 957 $685.
The number of locomotives in service
is 81. $50 and the number Of cars 1859.
The number of men employed by tie
railroads is S26.62O, and the wages per
year s4GS, S245Sl or 60 per cent. OF the en-
tire operating expenses. The gross earn
ings of the reads for the year covered by
the report were sll5O.169,376.
w mention these figures by WY OF
showing the enormous wealth represent
ed by the railroads of the country and
what a great factor they are in our in
dustrial system. The interests of the
whole country are necessarily promoted
in the promotion of the railroads. and TO
destroy them by harsh legislation is 10
destroy wealth and 10 impede progress
The railroad corporations Of Virginia
arc the creatures of the Virginia Legs
lature and they should be regulated by
Jaw. but all such legislation should be
inspired by the spirit of progress and
friendlines and not by the spirit of Pop
ulistic enmity.