| From the Raleigh Standard |
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| April 23, 1862 |
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| Government Control Over the Railroads |
| The Richmond Dispatch thus refers
to a bill passed by the House of Representatives at Richmond, on
Thursday last: |
| "Only one bill was passed which
possessed any general interest, or which so far as we are capable of
deciding, can have any effect upon the public mind in this time of
trial and national anxiety. This was the bill entitled an act to
provide for the safe and expeditious transportation of troops and
munitions of war by railroads. This bill subjects the railroads of the
country to the poser and control of the government, and whether for
good or evil, the House seemed scarcely disposed to inquire. It
provides for the appointment of a Military Chief of Railroad
Transportation, who shall have the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and
receive compensation at the rate of $5,000 a year , to be paid in
quarterly instalments. This is a very fair start, and a fat position
is thus provided for somebody. |
| This bill did not pass without some
opposition. Mr. Lyons offered a gallant resistance, and presented a
tolerable substitute for the measure; but the present House of
Representatives are opposed to substitutes. With them the committee's
report is quite sufficient, and although a bill may receive a
committee sanction that is "scarce half made up," yet our
wise and discreet legislators are not disposed "to cheat it of
its fair proportions" by amendments or substitutes." |
| This is another palpable violation of the
Constitution. But a month or two since it was a grave question in our
State Convention whether the Confederate government had the right to
construct the Richmond & Danville Road for war purposes; but here
is a law which seizes and controls all the Roads already constructed,
and utterly ignores the rights of the States, the rights of the
corporations, and the rights of the stockholders. Gov. Clark would not
have the right, under such a law, nor would the Presidents or
Superintendents of the Roads, to transport a peck of salt or meal,
without the consent of the Confederate government. Oh States rights,
in thy name how many anti-States rights acts have been committed! |
| This bill had not passed the Senate. It is
rumored that it was defeated in the Senate, or vetoes by the
President. We shall probably know before going to press. |
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