The home journal., August 27, 1884, Image 3

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I
IBCCIFARMLIOASDIIAIIROIOS.
t r gublman Answers an Article in
thi App'al Touching the Necessity
for a Railroad Commuwion,
i eeaia
And by Tabulated Statementi Provei
, that the Farmer and the Planter
- r Have the Best of -
f gaiiroaJi 'r Charg-ea arc
flonoerne, and are Greatly Baa,
filed by Their Facilities.
tinder the above head the Memphis
Appeal of Auk. 21, publishes a " letter
.ritten by Mr. E. B. Stahlman, of
yusbville, in answer tJ on Appeal
editorial ol some aays ago, wiurguig
gee liauroaus wnn a uesire to
i the "truck farmers" of Geor-
by exacting exhorbitant rates of
Asportation on melons to the
WMt, and also cnarging an attempt to
cripple the work of the Georgia Rail
wty Commission. Mr. Stahlman.who
' ji an able and well informed railroad
pin, in an exhaustive paper supplied
vith valuable statistics and facta,
fhowa that extraordinary exertions
luve been made by all the roads to
keep the "truck farming" interest of
the entire South that the average
rates charged now are no greater than
In former years that rapid trains
ire being run at largely increased ex
pense to the roads, and that large in--estmenta,
aggregating a half million
dollars, bave been maile in refrigera
tor! and ventilated cars to handle this
periiliable traffic in a satisfactory
manner.
Be shows also by elaborate and
complete tables that while the Georgia
planter, upon the product of one acre
of ground, worth not exceeding thirty
dollars, makes a net profit of $100 to
00 per acre, the railroads, upon an
enormous investment aggregating mil
boni of dollars, realize a net profit of
only ten to twelve dollars for carrying
tbe product of this one acre to mar
ket, tbe paper and exhibit is valuable
in showing what la small percentage
of the profit in tbe business really
goes to the railroad, and how
thoroughly groundless the stereotyped
(barge of extortion, etc., etc. The en
tire paper should be read to be prop
erly appreciated, but want of apace
forbids mora than a synopsis. L pon
tbe question of "truck farming" in
Tennessee be says:
' i Your article, . by implication,
charges the railroads with discrimina
tion and extortion against the "truck
farmers" of this State, and intimates
that a Railway Commission is necessa
rrto protect their interests.
with Tennessee, as with Georgia,
the railroads have done much to stim
ulate truck farming. Nothing has
been left undone which could be done
to belp promote the interest of the
farmer; rates were made low and
gradually reduced. There has been no
advance in rates from Tennessee to
any point since the traffic first began.
1 append herewith the ,
RATES FROM TENNESSEE
producing sections to Western con-
luming markets upon all classes of
truck, That denominted nrst-class
embraces such products as grapes, ber
ries, plums, etc. Second class, such
aa Deans, peas, pears, peaches, etc.
Tbe third, or lower class, embracing
potatoes, onions, cabbaces. cucumbers.
apples, melons, etc., is not given, for
tbe reason that no change in rates
either up or down has been made
within the last two years. For the
two classes upon which there has
been a change I give the tigures as
I01I0WH
From Memphis, Tenn., to 1st Clai s -d ('last
Louisville, Ky., 1M 70 w
Louisville, Ky., 1MI 53 40
Cincinnati, 0 1SS3 to 70
Cincinnati. O.. ISM 70 ,V
Indianapolis, Ind., 1N SKI ' 70
IndlanaDnlts. Ind.. 18S4 70 55
Cblceo, III., 1KM 9b SO
CblcaRO, 111., lsst 80 70
From Nashville, Tenn., to
LOUlsvllle, KV., 1KS3 40 STi
Louisville. K.. 1SH4 HO
Cincinnati, O., lhH3 . CO SO
Cincinnati. 0..m ,'0 40
indianapolli, Ind., 11 60 ao
Indianannlii. Ind.. IK I M 40
Chicago. 111., K5 75
Chicago, 111., I!.. 75 65
To compare further would call for
much labor and space ; suffice it to
sr. that rates from all points in Ten'
lessee, including interior or so-called
local points, were reduced in like pro
portion.
Without coins further, l am persua
ded lair-minded men will concur with
me in savin?:
l. That the railroads 01 Tennessee
did encourage capital to be invested
IB "truck farming in the coutn gen
erally, and that this support has not
Deen withdrawn.
2. That no prohibitory tariff of rates
ua been asked or exacted.
3. That no efforts have been made
by Tennessee roads to cripple the
work of the Ueoruia uommiseion.
4. That the traffic will bear a much
higher rate of freight than is being
ewleoted.
5. That the Georgia Railway Com
mission, even with the friendly co-op
(ration of Tennessee roads, is power
to control the rates of trnflic des
tined for points beyond the Georgia
ewe limit.
8. That the "truck farmine-" interest
M Tennessee has been better protect
M without a Railway Commission
than the "truck farming" interest of
ueorgia with a Kauway Commission
ft bat is true of "truck farming in
Tennessee is true of everv other in
ttrest. Tennessee railroads must and
ill help build up, they cannot afford
tear down.
And this brings me to a concluding
reflection.
The stereotyped cry of grinding
monopolies, soulless corporations, dis-
uuuinauons, extoriions, eic, so prev
alent as the weapon of the demagogue,
would find no svmnathv or encour
isment with fair-minded people. The
Press of the State, especially able and
"ugntened, should rebuke tbe miser
Me apirit which these political buck
ere are trying to fan into a flame,
we are all Tennesseans ; we must live
together and should work together for
, we common weal.
Tennessee is to the South what I'enn
Jflvania is to the East. In combined
amber, agricultural and mineral re-
ytirces, she surpasses any State in
HI! American TTnirvtv
' Pennsylvania has no railway com1
Jlwions and wants none. Her great
'uroaas are reaching out in every
wok and corner of the State, with
ncnes and extensions for thede-
velODTnent. rtf iai voat flohta rA r-ftrvi.
.Wilts from ahrnarl are Hnintr likewise.
comparative statement of railway
fee to Jan. 1, 1883, shows the follow-1
ing, namely:
d..., . Total Line. Milei of Track
Pennsylvania. 6.607 loifr
Twueesee 2,1'JJ 2W
KAILR5AD COKBTBOCTIOH IK 1883.
Pennsylvania without a wmmiMlon...!.8?i
Tt(iiine with a commission
construction in Tennessee being
attributable and confined to unfinished
branches, the building of which were
contracted for prior to the passage of
the railway commission bill. It can
be stated as a fact that with fifty-three
new charters granted since 1881 not a
single mile of new track is being laid
in the State to-day. As to rates of
transportation in the two States, it is
a fact that the Pennsylvania roads are
charging even higher rates on the pro
duct of Pennsylvania than is being
charged bv Tennessee rnada rm tl,
products of Tennessee, and yet the
men who should dare advocate a man
datory railway commission in Penn
sylvania would be drummed out of
tie legislative Halls.. The people
there want no railway commissions;
although the railway track mileage ot
me Mate is nearly 600 per cent,
greater than the mileaee of Tennessee.
they are still crying for more, because
tliey know more railroads mean in
creased development and greater pros
perity, lennossee roads want no
quarrel with her people ; they want
instead the most perfect harmony and
co-operation in a joint effort for the
promotion oi the general good and de
velopment of the vast resources of the
State. The roads and the people are
bound together in a common interest,
n common uesuny; wnat aids one
will benefit the other. Let us, there
fore, aa Tennesseans, bury this spirit
of hostility in our mldstand revive the
work of development. The press of
the State has a solemn duty to per
form ; let it be performed with an unc
tion such as the chronic office-seeker
and demagogue will not be apt to mis
interpret.
ASKING TOO MUCH.
Democratic Paper Which Cannot De
fend sn Unworthy and Unfit
Nominee.
Col.
Savage's Tallahoma Harangue
Judged by th Standard of le
ceacv and Propriety,
Fayattevllle Observer,
We have always been loyal to the
Democratic party ; have always sup
ported its nominees and defended the
utterances of its candidates, in so far
as we could do so without being re
creant to our duty as a citizen of tbe
State.
Col. John II. Savago is one of the
Railroad Commissioners, by appoint
ment of the Governor, and one of the
nominees of the Democratic party of
the State for Railroad Commissioner.
His duties under the act creating the
commission are of a judicial nature,
and. therefore, non-nartisun : and w
bad supposed that Uol. lavage, in tbe
perlormance of his duties and in his
p peals to the people for support.
would govern himself by those rules
of propriety becoming one occupying
and aspiring to a judicial position. In
this it appears tnat we were mistaken.
In a speech made at Tullaboma, on
the 1-th inst., duringthe sitting ot the
Congressional Convention, as reported
in t he A aerican, he transgressed all
rules ot decency and propriety, lie
made ahaiangue that would be un
worthy the lowest professional poll
tician in the land, and if he is correct
reported Ins speech showed con'
clusivelv that he was utterly unlit and
unworthy the position to winch he is
aspirin":.
W e have not space to give the whole
neech as reported, but a few extracts
will suffice. He said: "As soon us (lie
railroads come down from the lofty
staml thev have taken, and acknowl
edge that they st itid the same before
trie law as anvuodv else, tlien he was
willing to cease war against them." In
this sentence Col. Savage assumes
that the railroads do not "acknowl
edge" that thev stand the same before
the law as anybody else. The Colonel
states no facts in support of this
declaration, which was probably made
lor uie soie purpose oi exciting a
prejudice in the minds of ignorant
voters. He also admitted in the above
extract that he is waging a war against
the railroads? What right has a rail
road commissioner to wage a war
against rail reads? The act creating
the UommuiKion comers no sucn rigni
or duty. His duty is to hear com
plaints! hear proof and to decide
tistly and impartially all matters sub
mitted to him. A partisan Judge is
no better than a corrupt one.
Again he is reported as saying to
the delegates of the Congressional
Convention: "He charged the dele
gates that they should never give any
man who had'heen a railroad attorney
any office." Without stopping to re
mark upon the impropriety oi wi.
Savage dictating to or obtruding his
advice upon a convention to which he
was not a delegate and in which he
could have no business, we will say
that it is difficult to determine whether
this utterance was not inspired by
demagoguery. Have not the railroads
a right to b'e represented by an at
torney t Mow can tney De repre
sented before the courts and before
the Railroad Commission except by an
attorney? Why would Col. Savage
deny to" railroads what the law justly
concedes to every association of per
sons, the right to be heard by coun
sel V lias not a lawyer me rutin w
transact legal business for a ruilrnad
as well as for anybody else? Why
punish the lawyer who performs
legal service for a railroad company?
Does not his professional duty require
of him to represent a railroad com
pany as well as other litigants in the
courts and before the Railroad Com
missioners? It seems that Col. Sav
age, instead of being governed by the
law creating me comminsiun, wuum
(Ipnrive the railroads of the only right
conferred upon them by that act, that
is of being heard before Col. Savage s
commission by counsel, uui we neeu
not enlarge upon these utterances of
this udge who sits upon me luturutiu
(l,.,;mmn the hare readins of them
is sufficient to condemn them in the
minds of all fair-minded men.
Is the Democratic party of Tennessee
h hfilil responsible for the utter-
onnnf Col. Savaee? We will have
more to say on this subject hereafter.
Simplifying Matters.
Hartavllle Sentinel.
If the courts keep on trimming
down the functions of our Railroad
Commission soon they will have but
little else to do than draw their sala
ries. As this is about the size of it
anvway. the courts are simplifying
matters very considerably. .
HE INDUSTRIAL INTEREST. I
'
Ballroad Commission Net-
ther Necessary Nor
Desirable.
No Conflict Between the Reads and the
Business Public.
The Farmer Safeguard Against
oppressive Charge.
lhe Southern Lumberman, from
which the following is clipped, repre
sents one of the largest interests in
Tennessee:
We have taken considerable pains to
obtain the calm and quiet views of the
saw-mill men and lumber dealers, as
well also those of prominent business
men representintr nearlv everv in.
dustrial interest, concerning the pro
posed Tennessee Railroad Commis
sion, and find that they agree with
wonuenui unanimity that a commis
1 . . . .
sion is neither necessary nor desirable.
We learn that there is no conflict in
this State between the roads and the
business public as a body, and no
serious complaints are made in any
locality that have not, or cannot be,
adjusted by presenting the cause of
complaint in a proper manner to the
proper persons. Kailroads, like every
other business, are run for money a
profit upon the investment and as
their protits are derived from the neo.
pie it IS obviously to their intrent tn
cultivate a friendly feeling to increase
meir iraue. ine managers, o leers.
and employes are daily brought into
business contact with every class of
people, from the highest to the lowest
from the tramp to the millionaire.with
a considerable sprinkling of editors
and preachers, and a shower of cranks,
and it is a matter of profound
astonishment that they give such
general satisfaction as we find.
It is said that the commission is in'
tended to prevent discrimination and
extortion. We do not comprehend
how the roads can seriously oppress
us when it is impossible for them to
lane irum ub any rigni or privilege we
possessed before they were built.
Suppose they charge up sixteen cents
for lumber from lhanon, Murfrees-
boro, Franklin or Gallatin, to this
city, and then transport the sanielum
ber from here to Montreal three nun
dred times tbe distance for thirty
cents, who is injured? We have the
same turnpikes, in as good condition
as before the roads were built, mules
and wagons are about as cheap, and
pike tolls much less than formerly: so,
rather than submit to "extortion, or
have "our hard earnines wrunir from
us by oppression," we had much bet
ter tail back on the good old wagon
and team plan of our fathers. There
are many sections of the State of Ten
nessee where new railroads are lmpcr
atively demanded must be built, and
that soon, or they will fall so far be
hind the other portions of the State
that they can never regain their
proper places.
Is it just to the citizens of those sec
tions that we, who enjoy the blessings
of railroad connections, by establish
ing a hostile commission forever debar
them from enjoying the same bless
ings? That, indeed, would be class
legislation of the most hurtful kind
that would discrimate in favor of the
wealthy sections of the State, which
possess all the transportation lacili
ties they need, to prevent the poorer
sections from ever securing tne same
advantages. The fact has been demon
strated, and admitted, tbat, should the
proposed commission be established
and invested with power to regulate
the operations of the railroads in the
State, no capitalist, either native or
foreign, would risk his means in their
investment, and railroad construction
would cease in this State, and that,
too, at a time when a large proportion
of the best and most progressive citi
zens of the State are bending every en-
erey to secure railroad connections for
a.. I . ...l.l 1 .
their respective sections. It would be
an outrage upon their rights and lib
erties to irustrate their honest endeav
ors to benefit themselves and their
sections in a legitimate manner,
TheBultimorc Manufacturers Rec
ord, reviewing the statements and fiir
tires given in Poor's Railroad Manual.
the advance sheets of which have just
been issued, makes tbe following state
ment, based noon the actual lurures:
"The aggregate railroad mileage of
the whole country is now H'0,552
miles, airainst 87.7S2 miles in 18X1),
showing an increase of 37.5 per cent.,
while the total capital is Sr ,4'.-,4 1,-
311. as compared with ),4i),il,,-V)(iO
as the amount of capital given by the
census of 18S0. It is, however, to the
South's position that we deBire more
especially to call attention.
"If we take the four-year period
from 187il to 1883 it will be found that
the development of the South's rail
road system during that time was
very rapid, and the statistics will show
a most gratifying progress; but if we
were to examine cioseiy into tne pres
ent condition of railroad building in
the South we would find that, in a
number of the States where most un
just and arbitrary laws have been en
acted for the control of railroads,
capitalists have sensibly refused to
to risk their money in enterprises the
control of which is taken from them
by law, and that railroad building is
therefore very slack."
A I'SELIUS COMMISSION.
Tenneuee Cannot Afford to Hamper
Her Roaila by (Juneceiaarj Warfare.
Columbia Herald.
From all we can learn the Railroad
Commission bill is growing more un
popular, and will likely be repealed by
the next Legislature. It is wrong in
theory, inefficient and harmful in
practice, and has already been de
clared unconstitutional by the Federal
Court, and we can see no reason for
continuing it in force and paying
large salaries to the Commissioners,
while they are doing nothing, under the
injunction of the court. Our platform
calls for a commission of some kind,
and webelieve there should be one, but
instead of giving it absolute power,
combining the functions of counsel
and judge, we think that an advisory
nnTniniaainn. with Dower to hear and
investigate all complaints against rail
roads, and in their own name, bring
auits in all cases of oppression, would
asnmnliuh much more good and
ntable to tbe people,
And under this, why not have the
Governor, Secretary of State and
Comptroller constitute this commis
ainn wit), ft amnll addition to their
I salaries instead of paying large sala-
ries to othe men to act as commis-
n.u v.:n i.l ..,..io f.,
this commission a report to each ses
sion of the Legislature of abuses or
oppression by the roads, and suggest
any necessary. legislation to correct
such oppression n the existing laws
are inadequate. We believe many, if
not most of the complaints against the
roads are irom misunderstandings, or
accidental, or unauthorized acts of
agents, which tbe roads would sat
isfactorily explain or correct upon
their attention being called to the
trouble. The fear upon the part of
the roads of an unfavorable re
port from this commission, bringing
uown upuu mem stringent legislation,
would be sullicientcheck if they had
any desire to do wrong. Our railroads
are oi such great advantage to the
State, and their interests are so clnselv
identitied with her prosperity, that we
cannot auord, aside Irom a question
oi tight, to hamper and injure them
by an unnecessary wartare.
A LK4SON FOK TKNSUSSEE,
Georgia Farmers Receiving Do Aid from
ita Cotntnlmlou
The Chattanooj.'a Times, referring to
the compluints made by farmers and
truckmen in Southern Georgia that on
aecount of high rate of freight and the
greed of middle men they have been
unableto ship their products to
ivortnern markets without loss, savs:
And this moves us to inquire: Why
does not the ieorgia Railroad Com'
mission protect the tiuck farmers
against these exactions? Why does
it allow this great interest to be broken
down' If it be answered that nearly
all the shipments of melons, etc., are
to points beyond the State and there
fore not tinder the supervision of the
Commission, we ask. further what
good is the Commission to the irreat
producinc interestsof Georgia? ine-
ty percent, of those products on which I
mrniers una planters expect to realize I
prolits are sent beyond theStatelines.
If railroads may make up for looses on
iocui ireignts prescnueu oy tue com
mission by imposing extortionate
rates on products going out of the
State, where does the gain of the pro
duct1 come in as a result of the Com
mission s supervisory power?
If we apply these facts and deduc
tions to our affairs here in Tennessee
we shall not thereby encourage farm
ers ol this state to expect great advan
tage from placing the management of
our railroads in the hands of a com
mission. The local schedule proposed
by our commission fixed rates on farm
products about "5 per cent, bik'her
than those enforced by the (ieorgia
commission, thus putting our people
at a decided disadvantage. If uuy
commission in the country could have
achieved success in supervising the
work of a State s railroads, the Georgia
commission should have succeeded.
But the facts are the other way. The
greater portion of the press of the
State bears united testimony that its
intermeddling has about brought the
projection of new lines to a standstill,
while it has not encouraged the exten
sion of old ones. There is abundant
proof that while the city of Atlanta
has been considerably profited through
the operation of commission rates, the
State at large lias not, on the whole,
been served as cheaply by the roads
as before the commission undertook
their direction.
There is no basis of sound reason'
mg for a State Commission to
rest upon. They cannot interfere with
rates tixed in their State on cargoes
destined for points beyond the States
jurisdiction. v luitever concessions
they force from the roads on local
business is notten back from local
shippers by increasing rates on goods
going out orcoming into the State. It
only results in taking money out of
one railroad till and putting it back
in another railroad till. The people
who pay the piper are not benefited
unless the privilege of paying several
thouBund dollars a year as salaries and
expenses of a commission may berated
a benelit.
In the case of Tennessee, the Bhip-
pent on her roads had no right to ex
liect anything of the Commission but
Ii.. !... 1. ....... nn. 1. ,.,
tliat which has happened. The law ot
their creation was a hotch-potch of
crudities and compromises, and was
fironounced worthless by our best
awyers. The gentlemen chosen to
enforce this law and act as umpires in
the delicate and difficult relations be
tween shippers and railroads was a
unique body. At the head was placed a
cranky, superannuated politician tilled
Willi most extreme prejudices uriiiipi
the roads, and entertaining views on
public and corporate finances similar
to those held by rrench agrarians, by
fiennis Kearney, of laliiornia, ai d
Justus Schwab, of New York City.
re.t in order was a gentleman who
had never resided on the line of a rail
road: had not made the operations of
our railway system any part of his
study. The gentleman at the tail of
this remarkable board had, we believe,
at some period in his career, surveyed
the line of a projected road and been
active for a short period in the engi
neer department of another road.
Not a man of the three knew as much
of the "tricks of the trade of prac
tical railroading as un intelligent
brakeman. They all knew less of the
great interest over which they were
set, involving not less than $75,()(H),
000 of capital, than is known by any
division superintendent or tqiper
clerk in a freight office.
With a Commission so composed, a
rickety statute to guide them, and a
cranky communist sitting at the head
of the table, as legal adviser, is it any
wonder that tho attempt at railroad
regulation in Tennessee has fallen into
general contempt? 1b it any wonder
the courts gent the board into indefi
nite retirement?
We are not of those who believe
there are no railroad abuses that
should be abolished. We know of
many that must be reformed by
tho managers themselves, or the
Legislature of the country must
intervene to protect the roads
and the people from the rascally
practices of speculators. Over these
abuses a State Legislaturecan bave no
more control than it can reform the
court of Siam. The patchwork med
dlintr of States only complicates the
situation, and does neither roads nor
patrons any good.
If It la Honcit.
Nnhvillc Manner.
The Democratic party will not overlook
any pledge of tbe party, or any nominee
in this canvass. It goes to tbe country
distinctly committed to the observance
ot Its covenants anu cieaa metnoos.
Among iheoe is the creation of an eft!
cient Railway Commission. World.
"Efficient Kaliway Uommission is
good. If the World says what it
means and means what it says, it will
join in thegeneral demand for scratch
ins Savage, Gordon & Co. from one
end of the State to the other.
THE DEMAGOGUE.
Born at tbe Wrong End, or Be Might
Have Become a Bank President or
a Bobber Manufacturer.
Tbe American.
The most deplorable social disorder
which can befall a people is a state of
hostility between the moneyed or
more properly the business interests
and labor. Capitalists in the strictest
sense have but little to do with labor.
They collect their interest and only
deal with labor indirectly. Rut a state
of hostility between the business men
who may be rich men, with large
means either manufacturers, mer
chants, planters, bankers, railroad
officials, or others using capital and
the laboring people, is a calamity.
One reason for referring to this
question now is that a financial
pressure a time of distress when
the laboring people sutler most, is
always utilized bv demagogues and
men with an unrarinn spirit to stir the
passions and entrender hates between
the classes. We are but performing a
duty to the public when we warn the
masses generally termed the laboring
people siniitist even ignorant or evil'
minded men, who pose before them as
the champions of their rights to at
tack, in the name of the people, banks,
railroads, manufactures all men com-
binini! capital in the interest of pro
L'ress and money making.
The Present canvass win noi pro'
L-ress far. until this class of men will
appear on the staee. pose before the
public, and, taking advantage of the
social elevation which fermenting pol
itics brimrs to unworthy people, will
stand out as the friend of the laboring
man to warn him of the inutility oi
corporations, especially of railroads
anu an iiiauniuciuriiig iiuiusinen. inv
motives and purposes ot these men we
have but little to do with, sometimes
they mean nothing more than to en
gender a prejudice that they hope will
supply a deficiency which it is charity
not to mention : but most usually they
are life-long and well-authenticated
failures soured with the world be
cause, having no doubt about their
merit, they attach all the blame to
people who have outstripped them
and whom they denounce as capital
ists
When these men shull come to pose
before the public us they will do an
over this country before tbe canvass is
over the people appealed to by them
will do well to bear in mind that.
this country, more than in any other,
capital is the reward of toil. The men
whom the unstart points to as tnieves
and robbers, because they are filling
important places in the business
world, are. most of them, men who
Btarted with the upstart, but hav
simply left him behind. Or, it may
be, that they did not start with him
he mav have been a rich man s son
and college bred, but simply of no ac
count, while they came from the most
obscure families. This upstart, see
ing others walk away from him, or
pass him in the race of lifc,is in good
plight to do the Biibject full justice.
With this class of men every one get
ting a large salary for his faithful at
tention to business is a thief; nil com
bined capital is robbery; wealth is a
crime, nnd their greatest ambition is
to engender hates and hostilities be
tween the classes.
A country hke ours never has a
worse enemy than the demagogue,
who labors to array classes aguinst
each oilier. A little rellection will
convince the laboring people that lie
is their worst enemy. Besides, he
writes himself down an ignoramus.
By a law of social life in this coun
try the rich and the poor change
places with each succeeding genera
tion. This upstart was simply born at
the wrong time in an oil generation,
lie ought to remember thai his father
certainly not farther back than his
grandfather -was a property holder,
belonged to the class of people who,
in his estimation, are all thieves.
Then again, a little thought will
leave un his mind this lusting impres
sion: ''If I die soon enough to give
my son nnd daughter a fair chance,
they, by their industry and good hab
its, will in time be amoniz the rich peo
ple, and bo my only complaint is that
1 was born at the wron" t;me, or 1
might have been a bunk President, a
railroad ollicial or a robber manufac
turer." Through this entire canvass
not one of these misborn fellows will
be Been on the stump or in the news
papers, posing before the luboring peo
ple, who would not accept the Presi
dency of a bank or a railroad, if it
were' tendered him, and give up his
present occupation. And more than
that, every mother's son of them be
lieves he could fill any place on earth
if the people would only find it out.
The Policy la Objectionable.
Louisville Courier-Journal.
Two years ago, in order to unite the
party in Tennessse, in order to restore
something of thclost prestige, in order
to align it as far as possible with the
National Democracy, we willingly sur
rendered our own opinion concerning
the State debt to what was a decision
of a majority of the party, and need
all our influence for the election of
Gov. Bate. For this, certainly, we
have no apology to make.
Now the party in Tennessee is in
the midst of another canvass. The
Republicans have put forward a strong
man, an ex-Confederate soldier, as
their candidate. They are earnest,
organized, aggressive. They mean to
win, they hope to win, and, though
our confidence in Democratic success
is as stronir as two years ago, though
under any circumstances we will sup
port Gov. Bate just as earnestly, we
Bhall do all in our power now and
hereafter to prevent any political
blunder, especially a blunder which
will in anywise imjeril the State.
At this time, above all others, it is
necessary to reunite the party, and it
cannot be uniteu on tne noncy uh out
lined by the Nashville World. It is
makings bitter, a vindictive, an un
reasonable war against the railroads,
Buch as will not only urray these cor
porations against us, for which wc
care little, but which will, before the
election, arouse the feeling of the con
conservative men in both purties
ag-iinst us. ,, , . .
In short, the policy itself is objec
tionable, and the people are beginning
to see it. The strongest argument
against giving the management of the
railroads to a commission is furnished
by the tariff put out by the Tennessee
commission. This tariff, when an
alyzed, showed that it contained dis
crimination of the most remarkable
character, discriminations in favor ot
articles manufactured by convict labor
as against the farmers and free labor.
This, we doubt not, vas unintentional.
The Commissioners are above suspi
cion; but when it is remembered that
they are chosen because they are igno
rant oi railroads, own no stock in
them, and have nothing tn do with
transportition interests, it is not
strange they blundered.
In a Compact Komi,
MtuipMi Avalanrlir.
The Banner puts lhe Kailwav Com
mission question in a compact form in
this paragraph: "We have tried lite
ommission experiment until people
all over the Stute have been convinced
of its injurious effect. The commis
sion in Tennessee was the rcMilt of
hostility to the roads, and was worked
up by demagogues, and the nomina
tion of the old Commissioners, headed
by a man who has made it hi habit
and his boast to anuigonize railroad
interests, is convincing evidence that,
under whatever law operating, such
a board would only work an injury
and retard industrial proeress in
the State. The people, want
more railroads; they want to utilize
every possible means ol building up
an enlarged prosperity, oi inm-osing
the value of their lands, of securing
ncreased facilities for marketing their
irouuets and of deveiopi;.g all of the
stent resources of the State. These
are far more important considerations
than the uoubtlul expedient of a Kail-
road Commission, or the making of
political capital out ot each a ques
tion. 1 lie general industrial, agricul
tural and commercial interests of Ten
ncssee are of paramount consequence.
and any attempt to subordinate these
ereat interests to the claptrap of a
political indorsement of a useless and
unconstitutional machine, which only
consumes the people's money without
returning any equivalent, is unworthy
of support.
Party Pledged to Rupert Veiled Blghta,
Tullabomu (iuardlnn.
It is to be regretted that we have a
few men who are unwilling to let well
enough alone. One or two of our
State exchanges, after a silence of
some weeks, are again endeavoring to
antagonize the railroads. What good
these, journals hope to accomjilish by
such a course is not shown. They de
mand a Georgia commission law for
Tennessee, and which the courts of
Tennessee and Mississippi have, in
clear and able opinions, declared can
not be enforced in this State. Tbe
railroads of Tennessee have vested
rights. In our judgment, no legisla
tive enactment can deprive them of
these rights.
The Democratic party in its State
platform distinctly enunciates that
the rights of the railroads should be
respected, (the same declaration is
made in the Coffee County platform.)
This will not be done if the Lexigia-
ture enacts such laws as the papers we
speak of demand, nor can such laws
be enforced.
If there be any unjust discrimina
tion or extortion by the railroads, let
it be prevented by general laws. But
it does not follow that such laws shall
embrace a commission with powers at
will to destroy the revenue of the
roads, and, by destroying their value,
cut down the revenue the State re
ceives .'roin taxation of these roads
and leave the burden on the State and
people.
lhere is much to be said against tne
Commission in any form. Certainly
the welfare of our party and State de
mands a prompt rejection of all ex
treme measures.
tilling- Pad Advice.
NiikIi ville l'.auuer.
Having nearly exhausted itself in
its abuse of older and better Demo
crats, the World, in sheer desperation,
tackles the Railroad Commission bust'
ness with renewed earnestness and ex
travugance. It insists that every Dem
ocrat who does not support the Rail
road Commission policy is disloyal, it
lays there is no use of arguing that
the commission system will not do,
but that as the party has endorsed tbe
commission in its platform, no loyal
Democrat will refuse to vote for it. In
other words, although the commission
has been pronounced unconstitutional
and bus proved to be a monumental
mistake, no Democrat is to bo permit
ted to take a common-sense view of it
and withhold his support from the
ridiculous thing without being charged
with disloyalty.
The orld, in its rash eiiort to
identify the Railroad Commission
with the rest of the State ticket and
to hold it up as the test of Democ
racy, is making another oi its big
blunders. It seems determined to do
all in its power to cripple the Demo
cratic candidate for Governor, and in
its blind partisanship and self-interest,
continues to injure the party it at
tempts to boss. I Inppily for Democ
racy, the World is coining into disre
pute as an orean, and its influence has
notably weakened.
Illegal and Told.
J'uloakl Cltlten. ',
We have had numerous inquiries as
to what candidute for the Legislature
is opposed to the Railroad Commis
sion. Many people believe that the
commission is duuiuging the country.
While there are reforms 'necessary,
this does not secure them ; and, on
the other hand, being a menace to
railroad interests and a hindrance to
rnilroad building, it does more actual
damage than would outweigh any
benefits it could possibly confer. An
acceptable man in other particulars
could secure a warm Buppun in viwb
who would announce his opposition to
the commission. .
Democrats are not bound to respect
a demand that is in contravention ot
ln. The Railroad Commission is
illegal, and has been declared void,
and in addition to being the most
damaging thing with which Tennessee
has been afflicted it is in the nature of
contempt. It is therefore disrespect
ful, unwise, damaging and contuma
cious to persist in a demand that is in
defiance of law.
Won't Support Them.
Wlncbef ter Home Journal.
From the very moment the legisla
ture passed the law creating a Rail
road Commission we opposed it as un
wise, unconstitutionul, inquisitorial
and calculated to do much harm, and
we note with pleasure a growing sen
timent towards our views. It has
done much harm and no good, and is
foolish extravagance to supply offices
for a few men. We hope on election
day that every voter opposed to such a
commission will erase the names of
the candidate from his ticket, as a
mark oi hi disapproval.
IN fjTHEH STATES.
How Itiii'roiul CiHiitiilsKlon
Uive Operated Elsewhere.
i'he I.ah. n.-itvu of NVw Yom anil Men'
;;hii t'ai nti rs and Kusiuess Mou.
v.i-.wlllu Banner.
rt o Imviiig been made to the,
oi nits New York Railroad Com
"i i-, l i .i newspaper hoatilo to
1 1 i'l.e tMis in this State, we de
.: '. tiie true significance of that
liei
repo'
mist"
rail i
re i
repo'l. ,
in Mi-,:. a ts;i, a inn was int re-
duct i i!'. i'ic Senate of the Statu ot
.ew 1 --I k, providing lor areguiatiot
oft'.o ii'Mri'l charges of railroads ic
thai. -:,i!r a i id especially for ad justing
loca- iV- :'lit rates on a pro rata basis o
thri-Ui !' rnV. This bill was referreu
to the l'-o:rd of Commissioners, which
iiiMi-'diaivly prepared a circular call
ing lor all fucts, opinions and sugges
tions in relation totbeprojiriety of the
adoption of the bill, or of any proposed
amendment to tbe railroad laws of the
State. . ' . ,
Twelve thousand of these circulars
were sent to granges, agricultural so
cieties, farmers, dealers, produce deal
ers, boards of trade and other com
mercial bodies, railroad companies,
business linns and manufacturers. A
greut many responses were relumed,
and opinions and suggestions were
presented from every conceivable
ttandpuint.
Alter an intelligent, painstaking, im
partial and exhaustive investigation
of the subject, the board advised
against tho bill as proposed or aa
amended in any of the communica
tioiis to the board, and, furthermore,
took the broad ground that no specific
rate-fixing legislation could he recom
mended, and suggested that the remedy
tor alleged abuses lay properly in re
formatory action taken by the rail
roads themselves for their own in
terest in perfecting pleasant and mu
tually prontabie relations with their
patrons. .
The reasons which warrant this con
clusion are incorporated in the numer
ous reports and arguments presented
to the board, and the decision m also
justified by tho lamentable failure?
made by suites which attempted sucu
regulations of freight rates. Mr. H.
L. Howe, of Oswego, who ships W),
000,000 pouuda of freight each year,
and whose interest calls for the lowest
rates, voiced tbe opinion of many
business men, who alike are after the
cheapest rates, when he said: "The
question of freight rates should be left
to be handled by thoBe directly in
terested, like all other business, upon
business principles, as they must be
influenced largely by circumstances
and conditions surrounding and ne
cessarily entering into the varied trans
actions, and cannot be controlled by
any arbitrary Died rule."
I be Michigan Commissioner ex
presses the same truth in his report of
1SN0, as follows:
It la certain that uo rates can ba made
ot universal application to all roads
alike without working the gronest In
j uatice and hardship. The oouaideration
of coat of doing the business enters so
largely into the nueation of rates, wuile
the conditions of roadbed, graduate and
character ot line generally have so much
Influence In determining the cojt on
each particular road, that it la not at all
certain that the interests of the public
and tbe corporations will not be the brat
piomoted by leaving the great principle
of "supply and deuiund" to regulate the
price ol railroaa transportation tat) same
as u uoes mat oi tne cuniniouuiea car
ried. The principle applies to the--Aork
and interference of a commission aa
well. No commission can properly
regulate matters which depeud upon
the contingencies of varying circum
stance, trade and competition, which
variously alfeot each line of road.
Minnesota tried that experiment, and
tho rates prescribed by the commis
sion produced Buch new and unheard
of discrimination the whole law was
speedily repealed. Michigan tried it,
and it was found so utterly impracti
cable the law was disregarded by the
railroads with the consent of the peo
ple. Ohio lias such a law, and it is a
dead letter which nobody observes.
The miserable failures in other States
would greatly lengthen the list.
Although the New York Hoard speak
from an interested standpoint, aud
would naturally endeavor to magnify
the value and necessity of a commis
sion, the whole tenor of their report is
opposed to the policy of interference,
such as is contemplated bv the pres
ent law in Tennessee. Yet no outside
evidence is necessary to show this.
The attempt in this State is acknowl
edged to be a monumental failure.
The law creating a commission in
Tennessee is an absurdity which is
under the ban of judicial condemna
tion, and to elect Commissioners under
it would be equivalent to electing
without law.
Tin Railway Commission of Missis
sippi received another black eye yes
terday in tho court at Jackson, the in
junction against the commissiion,
brought by the Yazoo & Mistassippi
Valley Company, being sustained bv
Chancellor reyton, wno netu mat ine
law is unconstitutional and void. The
case goes to the Supreme Court ot the
State for final adjudication, it win De
necessary for the State Legislature to
get up an easy kind ot a law for the
benefit of tho Commissioners, so they
will have little to do except to draw
their salaries. Memphis Ledger. ,
Ditto Tennessee. The laws in both
States are about the same in substance,
and both have been declared uncon
stitutional. Salaried officers without
work is evidently the aim and desire
of the politicians. Nothing else nndei
the sun induces them to their dema
gogic warfare on the railroads.
U."i.bs8 the Democratic party of
Tennessee is a revolutionary party, it
must abide the decision of the toMt
on the commission question; that is,
the question being in the Supreme
Court of the United States-the de
cision of the lower court being adverse
to the constitutionality ot the law
the Democratic party, unless it is
revolutionary, can't afford to inaugu
rate a syBtein which would be a men
ace to the courts, until this decision is
reversed. Simply good citir.enship
iiamanda that the otiestlon remain in
abeyance until the higher court de
cides the question.
To proceed uow to create a commis
sion unless it is advisory, and which,
is not objectionable if the people are
willing to pay lor it leads to two
things: Another restraining order
and then a heavy draft on treasury to
pay a commission for waiting to se
what the court will do.
Tennessee Democracy can't afford;
thin sort of aport. Aaiericaai - -
for Pennsylvania and Tennes-