Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-02

our people and diminishes our ability to provide
against similar contingencies in future So Sc
we're has it become that, in some cases, the cost
of transportation exceeds the original cost of the
article here four fold, in others two fold, and on
average of our trade, safely be set down as
one half.
these things cause our people to murmur.
We hear complaints all around Us that while we
have cheerfuly submitted to blockade of our
natural channels of trade for the general good,
and have furnished every requisition made upon
us for men and money to assist the Government |
IN preserving the institutions common TO us all, |
and have made voluntary sacrifices not demanded |
of US by the authorities, to protect the interior
from the ravages of war; yet with all this, we |
find we have new burden laid upon us by those |
whose revenues were heretofore founded largely |
upon our patronage, and who now have com |
mon interest with US in the sacrifices we are
making. These cOmplainings not calculated
to secure that harmony and good feeling which
should exist between people engaged in common
cause, and we hope in future no reason will exist
/ for their continuance
But it is not alone of the nigh rates charged
that complain, but it is that freights raised
without due notice being given, leaving the ira
der to pay the extra charge when the articles had
been purchased with reference TO the pre- existing
state of affairs and cases come to well authen-
] ticated where the Central Railroad had raised the
freights after the stock registered in the Office
| of said Company ready for transportation
Our people had no remedy in reach-nO choice
but to endure, except b, the friendly operation
of the State from which the companies derive
their charters
We therefore pray your honorable body that
such legislation NAV be had as will restrict the
railroads passing through the State to as low
rate of freight as will be remunerative to them
and not oppressive to us; and that there shall be
no advance of freights without at least thirty
days public notice being given. and no advance
be made upon freights which have been rendered
to the companies ready for Transportation.
In reference to the New York and Erie Canal,
we are not aware that there has been any increase
of tolls within the last two years, but we know
that, owing to the unusual amount of freight
offered in the autumn of 1912, that the cost of
transportation was in some instances more than
doubled This, OF course, was lost to the pro-
ducer, or merchant who forwarded it. for the OBJ
v0us reason that such advances could cause no
corresponding change in the markets of the
world which we struggling to reach.
We therefore think that, for the present ut
least, some restriction might be placed upon
boats and transportation companies to the
amount they should be allowed to receive, so that
our merchants and traders can fix upon some
amount approximating to the cost of getting
their goods or produce to Market and If, upon
examination OF the premises, you find that re-
duction of tolls will not reduce the revenue
below an amount to be expected even in the
most prosperous times and Won should make such
reduction, it will certainly ever be remembered
, with gratitude by the people of our State
We are aware that it may be said that the
gument we use would apply with equal force to
other States and also 10 other modes of trans
portation than by railroad or canal This we
readily admit; but the present position of affairs
is new and untried-we must commence some
l where TO remedy the evil OF which we complain
and we know no State to which we can appeal
with AS much hope of having justice done as to
the great State of New York, which has always
shown magnanimity aud craftsmanship cores
ponding to her resources and geographical posi-
ton.
We further pray your honorable body that
should you, in looking over the legislation of the
past, find dhat any article important in our trade
and necessary to the comfort of our people, has
been specially taxed in freight, or restricted in
Manufacture 50 as to make it subject of specu
lation or hinder the ready and free exchange of
important commodities between us, that such
legislation may receive such notifications as the
, exigency Of the times will suggest
In conclusion, beg leave congratulate
your State upon the material prosperity which
has blessed her people, and upon the patriotic
sacrifices they have made in the present war. We
f also congratulate them on the noble stand they
have taken in favor of the reserved rights Of the
States and of the people, and of rigid obser-
vance of the Federal Constitution "the sheet
anchor OF our peace at home and safety abroad"
The representatives of people who have never
failed to Support the State governments in all
their rights the most competent administrations
for domestic concerns and the surest bulwarks
against anti-repubcan tendencies are
equally with yourselves. the supporters of 1.-THE
General Government in its whole constitutional
vigor," subject to the grants and limitations of
' the solemn compact which, for general purposes,
e constituted it the agent of the States and the
q people.
SO long as such States yours battle with
equal zei against anarchy among the members
5 of the Government and the centralized monopoly
of power in the hands of it, Executive, you Fave
our earnest sympathy and, with such powerful
co operation, can never despair of the glorious
Union of our fathers, believe il is destined to
fail victim 10 an unholy rebellion.