The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-06
THE RAILROAD CONFESSION.

The GcSalc upon JIG aoSSsANAA
vidins in the Constitution for a railroad
commission, with a,,tocratic powers, has
tcen fairly launched in the convention,
and some good talking has been done pro
End con.
mr.. Braxton has ably presented the
side of the majority. His speech had an
Increased weight from, the high charac-
ter and pure intent of the orator. a
moro patriotic and singlc-minded VIZ
Cinian does not live, and all VINO kno"
him feel It. Or the other hand, the pro-
fagonist of the minority, Mr.. Hunton, IS
second TO none in high ideals and the
courage Of his convictions. lie Is pro-
foundry impressed with the unwisdom OF
the proposed scheme, and his loyal heart
yearns to ward from his beloved STATE a
wound in the house of her friends.
For our part, we agree most earnestly
with Mr.. Iunton. We regret that we
llave not seen a full report OF either
speech. but from what has been pub
lished we gather that Mr.. Braxton is
rather providing, to the utmost known
limit OF anti-corporation legislation,
against possible evils which have occurred
elsewhere, and may occur here, though
from our experience there is no justiiica-
ton for the extreme exercise of the con-
ceded power by the State to control rail-
roads
There is nothing to prevent tho people
of the United States from establishing
monarchy or imperial government ii they
choose. There is nothing to prevent the
pcople of Virginia, within the limits OF
a republican form Of government, from
establishing an aristocracy OF. oiiSarchy.
They have the power. The only question
is. Is it cxpedicnt? VIII the welfare and
happiness of the people be best promoted
by such a change in our government?
BY common consent the reply is, No!
NC say the same reply should be given
TO the proposition to work as great
change in the method of managing our
great transportation corporations. 1t is
not eSpedient, it is not wise to revolu-
tionize our Constitution in this respect
There is absolutely no occasion Tor H.
r.hile the consequences Of such change,
10th seen and unseen, are Of a momen-
tous character.
The idea that our plea in this behalf
IS for the railroads, if held by any one,
should be dismissed at once. We remcm-
Der to have heard ten years ago success
full and eminently rewarded railroad lobby
list say with profane emphasis. by c.,
the railroads know how TO take care OF
themselves" We have never forgotten
or forgiven the remark. We feel no anX-
iety on account of any serious loss to
The railroads. Their intra-State business
is but small part of their traffic AND
even if it did affect them seriously, that
consideration would not weigh against
the establishment Of correct principle
or the enforcement Of their compliance
With their duty as common carriers. 30
that question is not before us. The ques-
ton that does weigh on us is the TACT
that The convention proposes to so out
of their way to establish wrong primer
pie and to assail the railroads. and TO
hold over them the sword of Damocies,
not of justice. The sword may never
fall, but it hangs there by thread and
the situation is alarming. The conVen-
ton gives notice to the world that Nir-
g:nia is radical in the treatment she pro-
pcses for such corporations. It is use
acss to try to explain how or why she
took such a course, or that she had the
right 10 take it: the simple fact will re-
main that She did take it and that ali
Nho put their money into railroads in
her borders do SO at their peril and with
full warning. This sentiment may wear
away in the event the powers are not
used oppressivcly, but it will be a long
time before that feeling of confidence
is restored. il ever. Meantime We suffer.
Before. however, any oppression can
come the machinery, operated by men,
must be put into motion. Is it likely that
the railroads will ignore the process? We
think not. AS far as we have heard
they have taken no part in this conNen-
ton, BUTT stands to reason that if threat
ened With a great danger by the acton
of the convention they will exert them
selves to remove it. 1t is this situation
that we depiore. 1t is the impending in
Jury to the people of Virginia, and not
the flllrOiOSp lilal SOuCeIllS us. IL -
not fair TO say that the railroads have
threatened, or that anybody has threat
ened for them. A plain state of facts
has been presented to the convention, in
Behalf of the people and for the people
only. The railroads have nothing what
ever to do with it.
We would not tolerate for an instant
any oppression or injustice by the rail-
roads, but II such occurs, it is thor
oushly competent to provide for its cor
rcction without putting in tho Constitu-
ton a provision which will do the peo-
1,le more harm than good. The bear
meant kindly TO his master when he tried
TO brush the fly off his nose The fly
was brushed away, but SO We're the mas
tiers eyes.
Our rates have been reduced to a mini
mum and cur facilities enormously in
creased without an autocratic commits
efop. Could better be done by one?