The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-26

r., matters of governmental policy,
many men decciNinG themselves by coil
ssidering their self-assumed lnialiiplii,g
OF opinion, think that by inouclnS tne
people to put into practice some Oh tieti
impracticable theories they can thus
bring about an unparalleled era. Of pros
,,erity. These men would, We're oppor-
1unities afforded them 10 test their
theories, hopclessly disable the mechan-
ism and seriously weaken the stapllitN
OF the government Immediately. Such
people first advanced the proposiuoh
that the government OF the United states
should Own all Of the railroads of the
country. Realizing the injurious tend
crcies and inei1icacy Of any measures
locking toward the ownership of the
railroads Of the country by the genera!
government, l intend TO give n brief
common-senSc summary OF my reasons
FOR not favorinG their adoption. Assunl-
Ing that there may be readers of The
Times not aNerse to reading such a sum
mary, j present the following facts for
their consideration, hoping that their
sndubitable nature will appeal more 10
the scnsibilities of our people than would
an elaborate scholastic treatise OF which
] would be incapable.
Since government ownership of rail
ways is now Il measure prominently be-
fore our people. it is we'll FOR us to con-
slider the inConvcniencieS and dangers
to which its adoption would subject us
Although the difficulties which surround
Its adoption now appear SO insurmount-
able, it is highly probable that, owing TO
the existence of certain conditions. this
question VIII in the near future become
q live and threatening national issue
This being so. it is our duty to, by dis
cussion and otherwise. obviate. so far as
1t is in our power To do SO, The existence
of any tendencies favorable 10 it,
DOES NOT SEE ADVANTAGES.
The advantages which government
ownership of railways offers any one is 10
such abstruse intcllects as mine utterly
incompreheusible- 1t is only to minds
strongly imbued with the principles and
teachings of socialism that this meas
ure commends itself as a solution Of
certain abuses connected with our rail-
way facilities BY any other hypothesis
ehe cease!ess agitation carried on by
the advocates of the adoption OF the
measure is entirely inexplicablc a
change 10 government ownership of rail-
ways would materially and unfavorably
affect both the people, and the govern
ment. 1t would directly affect the peo-
pie through increased rates and 4 Ill
unfinished efficiency of service. it would
deleteriously affect the government on
account of the extra impediments which
II would impose III I!!e shape Oh ddhltloldI
employees. and also on account of the
strain to which it would subject our Con-
stitution.
1t Is apparent that the public could
not be benefited financially by change
10 government ownership of railroads;
because, in European countries in which
the railroads are owned by the govern
,nent freight and passenger rates are
considerably higher than they are IN
y, syv>ra r1c- oy-n
owned controlled and operated by cor
uorassonu According TO the cynic.s oo-
eervance, that .';he nearest way TO a
mans heart is through his pockct-pook."
this feature would not be to our people
particularly attractive.
WOULD IMPAIR SERVICE.
Another dieasreeable effect. which