RAILWAY LEGISLATION 2 19 



association is made clear in the resolutions adopted. These, 

 after pointing out the unsatisfactory character of existing rates 

 of transportation, due in part to insufficiency of avenues, 

 declare: 



that the duty of the hour, and the mission of this association is to obtain 

 from Congress and the several State Legislatures such legislation as may be 

 necessary to control and limit by law, within proper constitutional and 

 legitimate limits, the rates and charges of existing lines of transportation. 



Other resolutions advocated an increase in the means of 

 transportation and recommended the establishment of subsidiary 

 state, county, and local associations to assist in the solution 

 of the problem. Josiah Quincy of Massachusetts, who seems to 

 have been the leading spirit of this meeting, was made presi- 

 dent of the association; and in November, 1873, he issued a 

 call for a second meeting to be held in Washington, in January, 

 I874. 1 In September, 1873, another meeting was held in New 

 York City at which a New York Cheap Transportation Associa- 

 tion was formed and resolutions adopted. Senator Windom 

 and other members of the Senate committee on transportation 

 routes to the seaboard are said to have been present at this 

 meeting. 2 



On May 20, 1873, a convention, called by Governor Smith 

 of Georgia, met in Atlanta to discuss projects of cheap trans- 

 portation between the South and the grain-growing states of 

 the Northwest. 3 This convention was attended by governors 

 of several southern and western states and by delegates from 

 cities, granges, and other organizations, but its solution of the 

 transportation problem was the construction of more roads 

 and canals rather than the regulation of existing railroads. 

 About a week later, May 28, 1873, the National Agricultural 

 Congress met in Indianapolis and devoted most of its time 



1 In this call the railroad question was discussed at length and the conclusion 

 reached that Congress should make a thorough investigation of the subject and 

 consider the expediency of enacting laws to regulate railroads. Prairie Farmer, 

 xliv- 353 4 12 (November 8, December 27, 1873). 



2 Ibid. 299, 300 (September 20, 1873). 



3 American Annual Cyclopedia, 1873, PP- 3 X 9> 7S4~7S7- 



