The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-12
The Railroad MonopoIists.

We are glad to see that the recent articles
in the Republic, touching the infamous imposi-
lions of the railroad corporations between this
city and New York, are attracting some atten-
tion Some of the newspapers, in the interest
of the monopolists, express doubt of the
power of Congress to construct post-roads over
this route. We apprehend, if Congress should
try, it would find the power without much diff
ficulty; and we are certain that there is none
which it could exercise more beneficially to
the business and travelling community. From
several communications addressed to us on this
subject, we have selected one or two for publ
cation. On some accounts we should be pleased
if the language employed by our correspondent
had been a little less emphatic, but we do not
feel at liberty TO interfere with his phraseology:
To the Editor Of the Republic
SIR: rejoice to see that you have called the
attention of the people of the Union TO the
shameless impositions upon themselves and
their merchandise practised in this State, and
also to the fact that remedy exists, and cannot
but hope that the day is not far distant when
Congress will see the propriety of exercising
the powers with which they are clothed, with
a view to terminate system so directly at
war with the spirit of the Constitution. You
are, however, in error in supposing that the
State profits by the existence of this state of
things. 1t derives, it is true, considerable
revenue from what is called the transit dutu,
but not even half so much as would be derived
from tax upon the capital that would, under
a different system, be employed in making
roads throughout the State, while it loses ten
times as much because of the grinding system
of oppression of the railroad managers, who eX-
tort from its citizens, in consideration of per-
hitting them to go TO market, so large por-
ton of the products of their lands, that the
value Of land is not more than one-half of what
it should be, considering its vast advantages Of sit
uation We are, therefore, entitled to pity more
than to censure, and shall continue to be while
shall continue subject to the tyranny of band of
the most corrupt and unprincipled men in the
State as the managers of the joint companies are
so we'll known to be-
Your letter gives several good reasons why the
General Government should interfere in this mat
ter; but there ia one that you have omitted and to
which beg TO call your attention. BY the Con
sttution it is provided that the Union guarantees
to each State republican form of government, but
nothing of the kind exists in our poor State. We
are under the government of "thc brooches pocket
OF the railroad and canal managers, who kindly
manage not only the business of their works. but
also all our political affairs, and who make it a
rule to buy up with the peoples money as
many votes, in and out of the halls of legislation
as are necessary for their purposes, witness the
late election for Senator in which the groeses
ruption is known to have been practised. 1t ID the
boast Of the newlyeIccted Senator that he "carres
the State in his breechos pocket" and that such is
the fact no better evidence need be adduccd than
that he was elected to a station that have here
tofore been accustomed to occupied by the most
highminded and honorable men of the State.
AS regards the people Of the Union, outside Of
our limits, the state of things is this; We have
thorized a small body of men to establish custom
houses at Camden and Trenton, Amboy and Jer
sey city at which they levy duties at their pleasure
upon all the and things that need to pass from
South to North, or from North TO South, and the
arrangements perfect that nothing, is
boosted by the chief Of these tax gatherers, can
cape through their net. IL is quite true that
have attempted to limit the amount of the contri-
buttons they may impose, but those limitations
have been habitually spurncd, and the amount Of
taxes that has been collected in defiance OF law may
be set down at millions of dollars. Even, however,
were they to govern themselves by the law, the
a1nlon Of the people OF the rest of the Union would
still be enormous, az can readily be shown.
To obtain ten cents per head the State secures to
certain individuals monopoly, in virtue of which
passengers that should travel between New York
aud Philadelphia in three hourr, at a cost of little
more than dollar, arc now detained five, Elk and
even seven OF eight hours, and made to pay three
dollars being the rate to which the monopolsts have
reduced their charge since public attention has
been drawn to the subject. Now, there is no State