The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1907-01-18

nave previously SAID, may engage
the earnest attention of congress
at this session, which same is the
question of promoting safety in
railroad travel. Comparative safe
ty, | should have said, for of
course safety cannot be absolute
ly guaranteed. Comparative safe
ty, however, can be easily assured
by energetic action in the right
way. The cOrOner's inquest on
the recent frightful accident in
this city and the proposed imme-
date investigation by the Inter
state Commerce Commission of
several recent railroad horrors
will undoubtedly be the basis of
congressional action. That such
action will be inaugurated at this
session is practically certain,
though is may not be completed.
This is a case where congress don't
want to be prodded by public sen,
timent. The individual members
have chad a scare thrown into
them," so to speak, by the recent
shocking accident, and now that
they have to pay good money for
railroad fare under the law they
are likely to insist on immediate
and sweeping reforms in the oper-
alton of trains all over the coun-
try. They don't want to be killed,
or injured so they will have to be
killed, and they are quite likely
to jump into this subject in dead
earnest.
FOm all points comes the MUIR
muir of an aroused and thorough
ly indignant public sentiment on
the subject of railroad wrecks,
and congress, as I have said, will
need no urging in the matter.
There has got to be a complete re-
form and very visible improvement
in methods of operating trains,
and that Immediately. The rail
roads, too, realize at last that the
people and congress are after
them, red hot, and they are al
ready promising better things. The
government will not leave it to
them, however, but is likely to
give the Interstate Commerce or
some other commission or author
ity power to control to- some eX-
tent, at least, the operation of pas
senger trains. The agitation will
also result in the reorganization
of state railroad commissions and
a very considerable extension of
their duties and powers. 1t is
gratifying to know that Vermont
took an important step in advance
in this matter at its recent legis-
lative session, and it is to be hoped
that its present commissions will
hold the public service thanspor-
tation routes of the state to strict
accountability in the interests of
the people.
The legislatures Of many states
begin their sessions this month,
numerous senatorial fights are
on, and consequently quite a few
senator's are at home engaged in
warm fights for reelection. a
few senators whose terms expire
March Fourth next will come
back without opposition, notably
Crane of Massachusetts, but an
unusual number are having con
tests on their hands. Among
those whose return is in doubt
are WetmOre of Rhode Island,
Alice of Delaware, Benson of Kan
sas, Gamble of South Dakota and
Bailey of Texas. The probabili-
ties are strong that the above will
all be reelected, with the eXcep-
ton of Alice and Benson. Senator
Alger of Michigan refused a re-
election, and nearly every repub-
lican voter in the state has been
a candidate to succeed him. The
terms of all the above expire
March Fourth, as do those follow
ing. OF the latter, Bacon of
Georgia has no opposition, Berry |
of Arkansas will be succeeded by |
Gov. jeff Davis, Blackburn of |
by Judge Painter, Burn
ham of New Hampshire probably ]
by himself, Carmack of Tennessee I
by Gov. Taylor, w. A. Clark of
Montana, democrat, by Congress
man Dixon, republican, CullOm of
Illinois by himself, DOlliver of
Iowa, doubtful, Dubois of Idaho,
democrat, by BOrah, republican,
Dryden of New Jersey, doubtful;
Elkins of West Virginia by him
self; Frye of Maine by himself;
Iearin of Oregon, democrat, by
Bourne, republican; Willard of
Nebraska by Brown, both repub {
leans; Morgan of Alabama by
himself; Patterson of Colorado,
democrat, by Guggenheimer, re- Q
publican; Warren of Wyoming, I
by himself. In any event 7
he republicans make a net gain c
# four, in Oregon, Montana, Col
,rado and Idaho, making the sen J
tie beginning March Fourth stand l
i republicans to % democrats, =
me more than a twO-thirds ma
ority. On the face of the returns
nd without regard to the posi- r
lie result of contests, the repub- /
leans will have 5S majority in :
he next House. i