The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-09-16


er. For this reason, and with recog-
milton of the possibility of an ad-
verse judicial result, The Dispatch
constantly urged that the full duty
of regulation would not be discharged
unless the Pennsylvania Legislature
did what was done in New York, l..
e., create a commission with power
to investigate the conditions sur
rounding each rate complained of,
and to direct changes in such as were
found to be unreasonable or to
involve improper discrimination.
in default of this having been done
it is not flattering to our State leg
islation to contemplate the state in
which matters are left ON the as
sumption that the Philadelphia de-
cision is sustained. The one meas
urc which the politicians of both
parties specifically promised in the
State campaign is left in the invalid
class and becomes a mere delusion.
But the general promise of effective
regulation has not even that pre-
enforce the constitutional provisions
were emasculated by trivial penal
ties, and a commission was created
without power to enforce the correc-
tion of a single unjust rate.
1t is plain that IL the Republican
party of Pennsylvania acqulesces in
this result of its reform legislation it
VIII simply go on record as adding
another example to the list of cases
In which the people have been fooled.
To make good the true meaning of
the pledges, the necessity must be
recognized of Legislation that will
provide ,dffeqtive regulation. The
Dispatch has no desire or liking for
arbitrary legislative prescription of
any rates. But there should be ef-
fective and exemplary penalties for
violation of the constitutional pro-
visions. There should be an impair
tial commission with power to cor
rect unjust rates Back of all as a
remedy for persistent and fragrant
violation of public rights there should
be a general provision for the exer-
else of that power declared by the
State Supreme Courte nearly sixty
years ago to be Inherent, namely, the
forfeiture of charters for misuse or
abuse of their powers .-Pittsburg Dis
patch.
THE CLEVELAND CoNsCRIPT.
1t is with the blessing of President
Roosevelt that Representative Theo-
dore e. Burton renounces his Sem
atorial ambitions, sacrifices brilliant
Congressional career and undertakes
to displace Tom l.. Johnson as May
or of Cleveland.
After period of reluctance, with
mingled modesty and pride Mr..
Burton announces his candidacy
with the statement: 81 have re-
ceived letters from President Roose-
welt and Secretary Taft, and have
talked with Secretary Garfield, whose
opinions have aided me in reaching
decision. At an early date the views
of each of them may be made pub
lie"
On his personal credentials. even
without President Roosevelts o. K.
Mr.. Burton holds good title to the
esteem of the people of Cleveland.
First of all, he applies business ideas
to public affairs. He has been eight
times elected to Congress, twice with
out Democratic opposition. He has
served with great distinction as
Chairman of the Rivers and Harbors
Committee and maintained COM
manding position i'm the House by his
ability and Independence. He has
also combatted the Administrations
policy OF extrayagant naval expendi-
lures and set dangerous example
to the majority by insisting on strict
economy.
Cleveland Is Democratic city.
Tom johnson Is serving his third
term and will be renominated. His
night for three-cent fares and muni-
cipal operation of the street RAILWAYS
has been popular.
But President Roosevelt has his
own precedent for raising an admin-
istration candidate in local contest
outside his own State. He backed
postmaster Busse against Mayor
punne and municipal ownership in
ohicago, SO what is there inconsistent
III ms drafting representative Burton
10 run against Mayor johnson and
municipal ownership IN Cleveland?
~ evrything turns out well witp
ut burton's candidacy, Secretary
lait should profit next year But Tom
Sohhson was reelected by 1000 ma
jorlty IN 1905. What If he should
oe again? In case OF Mr. Burton's
defeat, where would President Roos-
eyeit and Secretary Taft stand? New
York World. ' ~"
oosf OF PASSENGER TRAFFIC.
Deiore the master appointed by