The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-01-03

A general "anti-monopoly convention" OF
delegates from all parts of Illinois 10 called to
meet in the state capitol on the 10Th Of u an
uary. The call for shis convention Smanxtedl
from the recent lmportant anti monopody cont
vention at Morris. Tho objects which is proi.
poses are not definitely stated; ysta 4 gem
orally understood that ths master'of onsrous.
freight tariffs under which the people of IlIi-5
nois are made to groan by the railway and
other high-tariff monopolists 10 the @ ain top
10 to be considered.
The agitation Of this subject by the people
and press in the northwest began more than
a yoar ago. Numerous anti-monopoly con.
ventions were held last winter, last spring:
and last summer. r solutions were adopted
ofsWonderous length i'd thundsring seund.oos
Zaalous persons vowed and declared that they
would never vote for another man foY any of
fee, 1egishtiveor cong .essIonai, who was not
opposed. .stooth and toe-r ii, !" 70 monopolies.
The nominating conventions approached; the
politicians waved their magic waod the anti
m onopoly agitation was hrshed no man so
much as whispered in the ear of q candidate
shequsstlon was he against or in favor Of
monopolies. All the regular candidates OF
the dominant party-the party per sc Of high
tariffs, high freights, high monopolies OF all
sorts-were elected without pledges. save to
vote every time with their party. If 1t shall
turn out, as it probably will, in the approach
ing session of the legislature, that the zeal
Gus opponents of monopolies have been
"sold," they will have only themselves to
blame. t Ee
Whether the people who are renewing the
agitation against monopolles believe it now OF
not, the belief will probably be forced upon
them within the next fifty days, that the pres
emit legislature Of Illinois is the creature, In
both soul and body, of the high-tariff monop
oily interests that are squeezing the financial
lite blood out of Illinois and the whole west
It is not hazardous to predict that the legis
lature which meets next Monday will moi
pass an act nor vote farthing toward ex
tending the canal to the Mississippi, inprov
ing tho navigation of the Illinois river, moi
| toward any other thing which will have thu
effect to bring down the freight tariffs which
have so long fattened the huge railway mon
opolies in illinois. The anti-monopoly con
| 16, in the.intsrest of the people, will find hold
| ing its sess )ns In the same city another delhi
| erative assemblage, controlled by and actini
| in the interest of the railroads. If the rail
! road monopolies in Illinois do not alread,
| own a majority of the legislature, it is quit
safe to assume that the tiIe-papers OF sucl
| ownership will be executed and the possession
| will pass before the 10th of January.
If the people hope to accomplish any GOO
result through the proposed anti-monopol.
convention in Springfield, they must chap
all their action with reference to this state c
things. They must 60 to Springfield in tn
| expectation of finding the men they have ser
| to the legislature acting as the servants of th
monopolisrs. They must bring all their o
l.forts TO bear upon q single point, and not d
lutte those ffortssbyany such 'scatteration
policy as resolving to dig canals and dam Ply
ers all over creation. Such e. course will .
1 exactly what the monopolisss will most d
sire, and doubtless abundan. Influences wi
be at work, in their interests, to persuad
| the convention that the best way TO brin
down railway freights will be to dig . cana
| 200 feet wide and 500 feet deep, along til
whole length of every railroad in the cour
| try.
One thing at time is all that any man,
any body of men, however numerous or pew
erful or rich, can undertake with REASONABLE
certainty of success. IF all the people in
linois who are opposed 10 mon opolies-an
she number embraces all who are not pecun
arily interested in monopolies-shail harm
nionsly and resolutely resolve that the I'll
nois and Michigan canal shall be extended |
the Mississippi river, pressure" msy b
| s<o.shs 20 beor upon tho logiolasuro which
In spite of thu adverse efforts and money
the high-tarif monopolists, may compel tn
legislature to take favorable action upon tia
! inn poriAnt projeos. From present Indication
however, there is no. much reason 10 hop
| that the monopoiis,. villa !, 49,
their own way in the legislature, as they hav
had for so many years, both in the legislator
and out OF it.-ChicagO Times.