The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-12-17

Ine attention anu IL gone ln'O db soiue
length. While pointing out that the
desire on the part Of capital for a
reasonable profit ia transportation en-
terprises and at the same time the desire
for sufficiently low rates as to induce
the establishment of industries are
naturally concommittant and, in q
measure, mutually balancing desires
the statement also points out that 1T Is
not safe to rest satisfied with this
mutuality of interest, for human
nature will impel n conflict for advan-
tage" The statement remarks: The
common carrier has been favored by
the law with great power and special
privileges, and these should never be
permitted to be transformed into instru
mentalities of oppression or extortion
State regulation, conceded legal
power, becomes therefor an administra
tive necessity
FavorS Commerce Commission.
After referring to the illogical and
extreme methods of regulation adopted
in 1874 and repealed in 1876 and the
present unsatisfactory regulation by a
commission the statement remarks
THE majority of other states have
established commissions. The Interstate
Commerce Commission, starting with
very limited authority has had the
same gradually increased, and after
many struggles and trials, is steadily
gaining in usefulness. The experience
of all these several bodies will be the
best guide for the legislature in the
drafting of an effective and beneficial
law, enacted in spirit Of fairness and
upon just and reasonable basis.
"Snch commission, in my opinion,
should be elected by the people, not ap-
pointed by any other public official, The
proposition to combine the elective and
appointive features by the people elect
ing one member, and the governor ap-
pointing two members, is in effect Civ
ing the governor n veto on the choice of
the people. The appointing power
should be restricted, rather than en-
larged, distributed rather than con
centrated."
The assumed objection of the rail
roads on the ground that a commission
elected by the people might very probab-
ly be inexperienced in the detail and
counting and traffic is met by the sug
gestion that the Commission be allowed
to employ as much and rs expert assis-
tance as might be needed. The remark
is made that ''if the commission be cleo
ted it will be Il single square issue be
tween the railroads and the people"
The statement continues
Bringing Power Nearer The People
The tendency of the time is to bring
political power nearer the people. This
is the underlying principle of the pri-
mary law. The Commission is an Of
flee of such Importance rs to entitle it
to be brought within that principle
When the primary is once in use the
humblest citizen will have a voice in
choosing such commission and to my
mind that will result in a stronger Com
mission than one appointed by any
Governor, though he be most wise and
prudent.
"A practical method should bedevised
so that no more than two of the mem
bers of the commission belong to the
same political party Indeed, all state
boards ought to be thus non-partisan,
and especially those in charge of our
educational and charitable institutions
The party in power may have but
plurality upon its credentials. The
party out of power may represent but
trifle less than one-half of the voters
In any event the minority are tax
payers, as well and the law should grant
them fair and proportionate represen-
tatiUn.
"The Commission should be elected in
the spring when we choose our judicial
and educational officers, two depart
ments in which our people take a justi
fable pride and for which they entertain
the greatest respect Similar pride will
follow and like respect will be accorded
-
in suggested, and most beneficial re
suits will flow therefrom
Mutual IlIlberaIity Has Brought
Party Split.
These have been and are my views,
and il nominated and elected, shall