The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-09-26
(coxcLUDrD)

/. We have two lines o. railroad between
this city and Albany, the capital OF the
State. These railroads were built by sepa-
rate corporations, holding distinct franchise,
who ran their cars in opposition to each
other, couisrring upon the public the prvi-
lege Of reduced rates and Increased facilities
in transporting freight. Some time since,
one Of cur great men, Commodore Wander
bil. having obtained controlling interest
IN both Companies, Ne carried into effect
combination, which placed the distinct and
competing undertakings under one manage
ment, and this at once led 20 an Increase Of
the rates charged, aud a deminution Of the
privileges, which tbs public had engaged.
2 Again, we nave several Express Com
uanies all engaged IL carrying on business
a this CITY, Nhen the Merchants Union
xpreSs Company vas started, all the old
companies combined ID crush the new one
out Of existence. They even applied 70 the
Courts Tor injunctions and oIher Judicial
remedies 10 ai1 them ID carrying their OBJ
icct into effect. During these lugations the
competition was carried 90 with spirit. Tue
rates Of freight were lowered-thc auvaL tage
10 the public being considerable. Alter con-
siderable litigation new company was
formed. including the old companies and
the new one. The competition was abol-
ished, the rate Of Height increased, aud the
privilege the public mad enjoyed were al once
withdrawn THIS new c0nlgderacy was car
gied into effect with TIE iuii knowledge and
yanction If the court, ana the wealthy capt.
talist, instead II having criminal pToseeu-
ton instituted against them tor conspiracy
were mplimented by the presiding Judge
and their combination endorsed by Judicial
sanction.
3. One other instance must be permitted
20 cite. On the station between New York
and Boston, there are several steamboats,
rnnning, carrying passengers and freight.
Some time since new company slaTtea an
additional hue OF Oosts al TINS station. The
result Of the new composition was reduc-
ION Of the rate Of passage for the Journey
10 81, and a corresponding reduction IN the
freight OF merchandise. These advantages
were fully appreciated by the public The
various boats upon the station were crowaed
nightly. So matters continued until within
the last few weeks, when the various COM
peting companies made arrangements among
themselves whereby they cOniederatei to-
retheT. tue immediate result Of which was
that the rate Of passage was raised from 81
10 IS. and the rate Of freight was cores
pondingly increased.
In none Of these cases nor in hundreds OF
others which | might mention, have any OF
the parties interested been proceeded against
for conspiring or eonfcdcrating together fos
purposes, which by the two cases reported
lin Denios reports above cited, were judi
ciously adjudged to be a violation OF that
section OF the Revised Statutes which 1t ID
alleged the bTicklayers contravensd. Why
Il it that 10 the case Of the wealthy capital
lists il was never even limited that any Of
them should be criminally presented In
deed, if any such suggestion bad been made
fear it would have been received as primo
facie evidence Of insincerity Oh the part 0
be who INDUCED in il; while in the case Of
the Iourneymen briekiayers, whose eenfed
Grafton TOR their interests Is IN the eye q IN
lao, in exactly the same position as that Of
the confederation of their wealthy neighbour
here, because of their Combination been pro
ceeded against as conspnstOrs, tried, fo1nC
guilty and sentenced.
an these exciting political times, We hea
with inc, easing vehemence the usual higt
sounding phrases as to our natural rights
our rights Of liberty, and so forth, and II
connection with such declarations we hay
often placed before as the supposed advan
tages which workmen in thas country pos
sess in comparison with the tyranized an
Fspperized workmen Of Old England 10,
!. slfpeuye as commentary upon such rep
RESERVATIONS is this case Of tie jouEneyme
bficklsyersl Are the workmenof Amerie
aware, that such tyranny as has been pFac
ticed towards these bricklayars, ID q festur
Of the Ss1ahersy of labor" peculiar 70 thl