REPORT ON THE RAILWAY SYSTEM. 335 



asked that this work may be completed by the General Government, 

 the States of Virginia and West Virginia surrendering all owner 

 ship, jurisdiction, and control over the same. 



That in the completion of this work, by cheapening the cost of 

 transportation of heavy products between East and West, and by in 

 vesting with value the products of the region through which it passes, 

 there will be a saving and profit annually to be shared in by the 

 whole country, greater than the entire cost of the work. 



This National Congress of Farmers of the entire country respect 

 fully request that the next Congress of the United States take into 

 favorable consideration the bill now pending for the completion of 

 this great central water line. 



Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be furnished to the 

 President of the United States, and President of the Senate, and 

 Speaker of the House of Representatives, to be laid before their 

 respective bodies at the next session of Congress. 



REPORT ON THE RAILWAY SYSTEM. 



The Committee on the Railway System submitted the following 

 report : 



WHEREAS, We recognize the railways of the country as an ef 

 fectual means of developing its agricultural resources, and as having 

 an interest, common and inseparable, with the country through 

 which they pass ; and, 



WHEREAS, We have in times past fostered and aided them by 

 liberal charters and concessions, made by public and private parties, 

 and still desire to encourage further development of the railway 

 system; therefore, 



Resolved, That a fair degree of reciprocity would suggest that cor 

 porations having a common interest and bublic aid, should, in their 

 turn, endeavor to subserve the interest of the country through which 

 they pass, by charging fair rates of freights, and by the equitable 

 and just treatment of all localities along their lines. 



Resolved, That, on the contrary, railroad corporations in many 

 instances have been exorbitant in their charges, have discriminated 

 unjustly between localities, and have failed to respond to the gener 

 ous grants of powers and moneys that have been given them by 

 our National and State Governments. 



