Year: 1874

upon all the powers given by Congress, so
that they be not used for the upbuilding of
another. Cheapness, and uniformity of oper-
alton, speed, convenience, promptness, and
safety all point TO connected roads and through
lines, and these throughout their length
should be governed by uniform methods and
laws.


Upon the question of the limit of power of
States to control railroads he said Each
State may regulate and control the commerce
which is purely internal to itself and all the
railroads transporting such commerce without
Interference by Congress, and may doubtless,
in the absence OF Congressional legislation,
make regulations for all commerce that passes
across or over any part OF its territory, pro-
yided such regulations do not impose burdens
upon inter- State commerce and make no un-
just discrimination; but all such regulations
as affect inter State commerce. however meri-
torlOus IN their character or intentions, must
yield to the legislation of Congress. A State
cannot bc restrained in the regulation cf com
merce which is purely internal to itself eX
cept by its own Constitution or the prohib-
tions in the Constitution of the United States.
The recent decision of the Circuit Court of
the nlted States, sitting in Wisconsin, that
the provision in the Constitution of that State
giving to the Legislature the power to alter





eessarily part Of every charter of which the
corporators and all persons dealing with such
corporations must take notice, recognises
principle of law SO familiar and so obvious
that am astonished that the decision should
be received with surprise. 1t is plainly to be
seen that very difficult questions may arise
touching the exercise of National and State
authority upon this subject especially in the
regulation of railroads that are at the same
time engaged in the transportation of inter
State commerce and of commerce purely in
ternal to a State. But it is not necessary to
attempt now to anticipate these conflicts. As
they arise from time to time they will be fully
discussed and satisfactory solutions for them
will be found.


He counseled moderation; that legislation
should be aimed only at real abuses and in
tertere as little as possible with the control of
roads by their owners, so that there shall be
no encouragement to the construction of new
roads and the extension of the system. He
believed the problem OF increased and cheaper
transportation was one to which the Repubi-
can party must address itself, until it was
solved. It's importance must increase from
decade to decade, and its proportions were 50
vast that it would require years for its solu-
ton; but the party must not pause until the
way had been found out and accomplished
In conclusion he said:


am proud to say that, while the Repubi-
can party may have erred, it has not proved
false to any great principle. It's aims are
Loble and patriotic, and it does not seek a
continuance in power by pandering to vice
and prejudice, but refers to its past record of
great actions in behalf of the Union, of liber-
", education, equality, and the material
growth and Improvement of the nation as an
earnest Of what it seeks to accom- lsh in the
future, and there must be no cessation in its
laboIsi 1t must no. presume to live upon the
glorles and memories Of the past. lis first
and er-present duty is TO introspection,
self examination, the correction of errors,
the introduction of reform. 1t must look to
the execution and enforcement of the Consti-
tuition and laws, and while asserting the ex-
istence Of the nation and the just powers Of
the National Government, it should ever be
yigiant to preserve in all their just extent the
rights and powers OF the States, ever carrying
before it as a lamp to guide its steps those
great fundamental principles which have
given to the party its power and glory, equal
rights to all and equal and exact justice to all