Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1857-11-30

A few days ago wealthy farmer
came to this city to buy lumber. The
price he found livery reasonable; bat
when he went TO railroad office to
engage some cars in which TO convey
his lumber to its destination, he dis
covered that, delivered at his residence
il would have cost him one year ago,
when he could obtain near J one hun
dred per cent, moro for his wheat than
at present. OF course, he did not buy
the lumber. And this instance is but
one among scores that might be emu
mcrated by any person who would
take the pains to collect them.
The increased rate, at such time as
the present, is a most outrageous cx-
tortion. Many of the roads, We have
good reasons for beieveing, were re-
luctantly forced into the combination,
and only await a favorable opportunity
to revolt against the league. 1t would
be foolish aud suicidal for any single
road to contend with this combination
of Eastern capitalists against the farm
ers of the West; for all the Eastern
roads are completely under the control
of brotherhood of sharks, and lthey
would simply refuse to receive freight
from any Western road which would
not JOIN their league. 1t is said that a
thief is the best thief catcher; and
without placing too much reliance up
on the wise sayings of our ancestors, 1t
is evident that the best remedy for the
cxtortions of one combination of inter
csts is the establishment of a counter
combination of interests. 1t is the in
tcrc.t of all roads leading to the East
to obtain large rates on Western freight
and passengers. 1t is the interest OF
Western producers to pay small rate.
When there were several independent
routes, competition always kept rates
down to medium standard. But
these icdepcnt routes have, virtually,
consolidated, and the first fruits of the
new order of things is an advance in
the cost of transportation, at the very
time when the country is Keeling un-
der the stunning effects of the CONNER
cial revlusion, and when wise and
humane policy would have suggested a
farther reduction.
Taking Chicago as central start
ing point, there are six avenues 10y
which produce and passengers may
reach the ocean. The first is the st
Lawrence route, branching at Montrea
and leading to Quebec and to Portland
the second is the New York Central
branching at Albany, and Leading te
Boston aud to New York ; the thlr,
is the New York and Erie, through
unkirk the fourth is the Pennsyl
vania Ccntcral, through Pittsburgh
the fifth is the Baltimore aud Ohio
through Wheeling; the sixth is thu
Mississippi or river route, 10y way 0
New Orleans. Now, it is well know
that if, on the first three, all trafii
were cut off and turnnd INTO som
other channel, they would be compel
: ed to yield that if on the fourth, a
its Western traffic were stopped "A
Crestline, Ohio, 1t would be brought t.
a stand still that if, on the fifth all it
Western traffic were turned aside a
, Columbus, Ohio, it would immediatel
come to terms. Here we have al
entering wedgc-a key, as it were, t.
the weakness OF this FORMIDABLE comb
nation. To simultaneously make wa
upon all the contracting parties, a
we may call the five consolidated rout
would be folly but a combined attacl
upon any one would certainly be crown
ed with success, We would certainl
he crowned with success. We woul
propose, as a commencement, to shi
IS much produce as possible by tn
New Orleans route. Let this be 70
lowed mp by cutting off the traffic fIor
the first three and from the fifth, an
by concentrating it all, or most of i
upon the fourth, (the Pennsylvani
J Central,) and the monopoly will faI
to pieces. In the meantims by Target
reduing the aggregate eastern tratti
all the parties engaged in the conspirs
cy will be weekend, and willing to ST.
. for peace.
The truth is the Eastern monopolit
cannot cut theWest off from comm,
nlcation with the ocean. We can ia
back upon our own vast resources, shi
c by way of New Orleans, and whe
G railroad Encouragement shall hay
done its work in the East-uttcrly r,
ined every branch of business, pr
haPs new order Of things will be il
> augrated.
y But this thing cannot be accomplish
: ed without concentrated action. III
most important question that presen
itself is this-how can the people
the West act, i'll this matter, AS an uni
e We shall defer our answer till anoth,
d time, and ask all orr readers to tai
S the thing into consideration, and ASST
us with their advice and COUNSEL
With reduction in the price of pr
u duce on the one hand, and an incl ga.
in the cost Of transportation on Il
other, farmers in the West are drive
. to the necessity of seeking some rem
dy for an accumulation of evils again
which no other class of men could Ion
: bear up.-Praire Farmer.
!. WAC NoNPtssED. the we
< known and popular ticket agent of the
! T., Z. and Buffalo and Lake Shore Ra