I42 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDIES 
it was against them and the Denver and New Orleans because it did 
not afford them the complete relief for which they had sought the courts. 
The general effect of the decision on the public mind was to encourage 
the belief that at last a way had been found whereby the railroads might 
be compelled to heed the interests of the citizens. The Denver Law 
Journal had a long editorial on this decision and pointed out that more 
legislation was not necessary for the purpose of controlling railroads and 
that this matter might safely be left to the courts. It said, 
We cordially urge an attentive and careful perusal of it in connection with the 
opinion of Judge Baxter, of the United States Circuit Court of Ohio, to be found in 
our last number, upon every railroad lawyer and official. From them they can 
learn that the use of money and influence with our legislators is a waste of time and 
money, for the courts have ample power to put on the brakes when the railroad com- 
panies undertake to travel faster than the law permits, and that they can do so effect- 
ively. We are not in favor of legislating against railroads, or preventing them 
from using their legitimate powers most beneficially to themselves, but we believe 
the time has come when every railroad official should post conspicuously in his office, 
so that he cannot fail to see it: ‘‘ Railroad companies are the servants, not the masters 
of the people. The people have rights which railroad corporations will be compelled 
by the courts to respect.’’! 
Notwithstanding the exultations of the Law Journal, the people 
were soon to begin that slow process of finding out the limitations of the 
courts in the matter of controlling great industries, limitations which 
it has remained for the generation of our day to realize fully. 
As soon as this decision of the court was announced, the officials of 
the three principal railroads concerned met to arrange a pool so that the 
Denver and New Orleans Railroad might be prevented from getting 
any benefit from the decision of the court. In order to accomplish this 
it was decided that the Rio Grande should carry freight between Denver 
and Pueblo at five cents a cwt. for all classes, and passengers for seventy- 
five cents each. The parties to the contract and pool continued to 
support this policy for about two years. It was suicidal for the Rio 
Grande, for at the end of that period that road went into the hands of a 
receiver. The receiver as a court officer restored the rates to a reason- 
able price, which was about half what they were before 1883. The 
t Denver Law Journal, March 6, 1883. 
