The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-01-28

t4nt link between me north ami the
south.
There is not another instance ia the
whole country OF such railroad mon
cDoly being rsainia.red and IL II were
d private corporation instead OF a
state that was sustaining this monop-
olyy there would be such howl from
the politicians and the people that
the state legislature would soon abate
the declared nuisance; bpt as the state
; Of Virginia owns one sixth interest in
this monopoly and gets a good annual
Income from IL, 1t is all right TO sus-
tain the monopoly, even to the detri-
ment OF the Ieople Of her state and OF
others.
The Virg1nian-Pilot says on this
matter, under the heading Omen tns
Door:
I1Ae SIdbe proxies and the sink
ing 1und commissioners should he
prompt to array themselves in onnost
tIoh 10 tne bill repeating the Richmond
fredericksburg and Potomac monon-
oiy VIII occasion no surprise 10 read
ers or TIE Virginian-Pilot In our in
itiai article on this subject. when the
question vas first mooted. we assumes
tnat the financial officers of the com
monwealth would champion a con-
tinuance of the existing status: for
Inese off1c1als in the very nature OF
their duties regard all questions in re.
Iatlon to their immediate effect unon
the public revenues and are peculiarly
dlsqualned TO form a correct Judgment
on the aspects other than pecuniary
oI any matter or public policy. The
miser holds his precious dollar so
close to his eye as to be blind 70 the
ten dollar bill lying in the roadway:
and SO these faithful but foolish func-
t1onar1es are So intent upon the diyf-
dends coming into the treasury semi
annually from the Fredericksburg road
that they are incapable of seeing at
what cost to the state and to the peo-
pie those dividends are collected. Their
estimation Of profit and loss as well
as of right and wrong is confused by
the inconsistent and improper part
nership OF the state with the Freder-
icksburg road. But for that disturb
ing fact they would see the case as
every impartial mind must see it.
By constitutional provision Virginia
has thrown her territory open to rail-
way construction. That is. under rea-
sonahle conditions of good faith, etc,
the corporation commission is en-
powered to grant charters for such
purpose to any responsible applicant.
The object was to encourage the open
ing up Of new highways of trade ami
al 70 1a ITfrs rsU n n
multiply taxable values. But the state
had retained some stock in the Rich
mond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
company though dIvested of all pro-
prietary interest ir all the other trans
portation lines. and therefore power
was reserved to the genera. assembly
to say that this road should not De
para lleled and the exercise of that
power has establish monopoly to
which the state is a party, from Which
the treasury department Of the state
is a beneficiary. and Of which the peo-
pie of the state i'll their larger Inter
ests are victims.
Tn other words, for the sake Of fifty
thousand dollars a year, the common
wealth violates her own settled policy
deprives herself Of sources OF reVe-
nue. which (if only one new line were
built from Richmond to the Potomac)
would largely exceed the d1v1denus
now enjoyed. and subjects the popu-
lation OF a large area of her territory
to the narrow facilities of one avenue
of communication when there Is room
for half a dozen. The states stock
in the Fredericksburg road ought to
ibe sold. The alliance is one or ano-
ima!y. But at all events there should
he prompt repeal of the statute Whlcn
gives that line a territorial monopoly
and shuts the door against all con-
Meeting lines. That any corporal ION
should have prefcrenential treatment
haoousa the state owns some OF ITS
stock is wrong on the face of it me
neonle have rights and interests at
stake much more valuable than tne
few thousand dollars at whlch OuI
fso.1 officers clutch so greedily. But
even as a financial question the state
viii receive much greater returns.
from removing the blockade INA"
,,once Of a one gut conduit between
,ortI, anil south.