The Lafayette gazette., 1898-04-02

ton to create a State Railroa
Commission to have control love
railroad, express, :ele graph, steam
boat, street railway and sleepln
car companies.
Commissions of this kind are i,
existence in large majority of tn
States and if Louisiana has no
adopted one it is certainly not be
cause the people are not in favor O
such legislation. Every time {
commission has been proposed a,
Baton Rouge the railroad compa.
nies have succeeded to defeat it.
Years of experience in the lobby OF
the State House has made the
agents of the railroads we'll nigh
invincible IN a contest before the
legislature, and we can not hope
for any relief from that source. If
we are to have commission we
must look to the constitutional con-
vention for it.
The conviction that it is the duty
of the State to insist upon holding
the balance of power between the
public and the railway and tele-
graph corporations is growing
everywhere in the union and we are
pleased to see that at last the peo-
pie of Louisiana, through their
representatives, propose to follow
the example of other enlightened
communities.
Authentic reports from other
States all show that wherever tried
a railroad commission has resulted
in much good to the people with
out any infrine upon the just
rights of the railroads.
The right of eminent domain ac-
corded the railway and telegraph
by the State gives
them a semi official character, and, |
If for no other reason, they should |
be under governn: entail surveillance.
The strong hand of the State should
interfere whenever a railroad cor
poration shows disposition to be
Unfair. Railroad extoition and
must be stopped,
and the constitutional convention
will have failed to fulfill its mission
+ railroad commission is not
ldopted. The people of the State
ire practically unanimous in favor
IF such legislation and those dele
.ates who will allow themselves to
'e hoodwinked BY the argument of
lick corporation lawyers, will have
great deal of explanation to make
O their constituents. The issue is
lear. The corporations are on
me side and the people are on the
'ther. Let the delegates choose
heir company.
The success of every business
nan and the prosperity of every
ommunity are dependent upon a
air and equitable treatment at the
ands of the transportation COM
anies. Extortionate rates and
iscrimination will inevitably work {
reat injury upon the individual or =
ae community. The duty Of the :,
tate is plain. The property own :
rs are compelled by legislative en- -
ctments to grant the right of way :,
, railway corporations, and it Is -
the duty of the =
tate to see that the people are also .
rotected in their rights.
The relation of the railroad cor +
oration to the public was very G
|early stated in the report in 1886 n
the Senate committee on Inter-
ate Commerce. 1t reads as fol- n
ws: :,
The only reason for the existence of rail >,
ad corpol :.tions is that they might ander- -
ke duty which the State was unable or d
willing to perform, and to that extent =
cy exercise public fuoction. In the per- -
rnance of this duty private capital was en- tt
stcd, for the use of which it was Prope, that -,
e return should be made. 1t was also ~
cessary to provide in some way fer the h
penses of maintenance and operation.