The Toledo Chronicle

Railroads and the Legislature.

The urgent demand from every part of the State for the regulation by law of tariffs in freight on railroads, bids fair to result in some legislation before the close of the present session of the Legislature.

It has been, and is yet, the custom of railroad companies operating lines within the State, to discriminate in their charges of transportation in favor of points along the line of the various roads, to the material detriment of others. This has been the case particularly during the present winter in the article of coal, to secure the transportation of which, a fabulous price has been required.

The outrageous charges for all classes of freight are proverbial, and a strong pressure is being brought to bear upon the members of our Legislature, in the shape of petitions, for stringent legislation. Railroad companies have heretofore been a favored class throughout the country, but the people now demand some legislation in their own interests, and unless their wants are heeded at this time, those legislators continuing to vote in the interest of Railroads, will find it difficult to be returned to their seats.

The vast coal fields of the State are rapidly passing into the hands of merciless corporations, which are in collusion with railroad companies and in this we see an evil that should, if possible be avoided.

If coal and transportation companies unite against the people, there is little hope of relief to the interior towns, that depend upon coal for their fuel, unless laws are enacted regulating freight charges, and forbidding a discrimination in favor of persons, corporations or towns. Such a bill has been introduced in the Assembly but at the time of writing we are not advised of its passage.

We hope to see proper legislation upon the subject of railroads, such that will prohibit extortionate rates of transportation and that will require railroads be taxed at the same rate as individuals.