The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-06-17
HUGHES AND THE RAILROADS.

In some ways the present governor
of New York is the most remarka BILE
executive this country has seen in
many years. Conspicuous among his
traits is his indifference to popular
clamor and his persistent refusal to
use his power as governor to oOerce the
legislative branch of the state govern
ment in furtherance of his policies
Neither in action nor inaction has he
appealed to the demagogic forces so
commonly cultivated by governors; he
is either most amazingly Indifferent to
the opinion of the mob or else appre-
ciates fully the strength of a policy
based on the demands Of the sound
common sense which ultimately detcr-
mines the fate of politicians, though
few of them comprehend the fact
1t has been only a short time since
Governor Hughes secured the enact
ment of what is known as the Public
Utilities bill, a measure designed to
control transportation and traffic lines
within the state of New York. The in
PRODUCTION of the bill found it opposed
by strong majority of the Republi-
can legislature, and yet it was finally
enacted, almost exactly IS drafted, by
this same legislature. It's purpose was
revolutionary in the power it gives a
state commission, and its result is
viewed apprehensively by the railroad
and traction lines to be affected by it,
On the heels Of this radical measure.
the governor has vetoed the bill passed
by the legislature fixing cenrs a mile
as the standard rate for passenger
fares in the state. Governor Hughes
reasons for the veto are as unusual as
they are sound. He says the biII was
passed without elaboration and with
out any attempt to secure the data on
which such sweeping legislation should
be founded. To his mind the unthink-
ing demand for maximum rate of .
cents is without weight, and he refuses
TO approve it without facts to iustifv
the legislation. In other words, he be-
lieves that the railroads have a right
to expect rational treatment At the
hands of the state-a theory which is
utterly at variance with the ordinary
politicians notion that no corporation
has any rights which the people are
bound to respect.
In all the epidemic of hostile Iegisla-
ton against railroads this year, New
York and Wisconsin are Conspicuous IN
their refusal 10 ,,,,,Iot tl,o -, TIA,
Wisconsin the state railroad commits
sion made a study of the .ituarion ana
declared that a uniform 2-cent fare
would mean either an increase in
freight rates or poorer passenger serv-
Ice; and the legislature fixed a maxi
mum rate of 212 cents IN New York
the governors veto paves the way for
rational treatment Of a great subject
on its merits. Instead Of regarding the
question as a means Of forwarding his
personal ambitions, Governor Hughes
intends to treat the question as an
economic problem to be considered
carefully and decided justlv-as if
should be-
If there were more men in bubble life
with Hughes training of mind and
high quality Of character, there would
be less occasion for the timidity of can
ital on the one side and the hostility of
the people to corporations OH the other.
In this he is a pleasant contrast to the
men who trade politically on their an
peals TO passion and profit by the strife
they incite.