The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1869-12-31
NOT TO EsE BOUGHT.
Scathfng letter from State Senator NJ. b
a.uli<ern 10 the President OF the
!. G. II. II. Co.
Uc REFUSES TO ACCEPT Pass over TIRE
ROAD.
DUBUQUE. Dec. %, 1869.

DupueuE. Dee. %. 1869.
John NJ. DOUGLASS. ESQ, sPresi.
dent Of the Illinois Central Railroad
-DEAR SIR: -S,nce the receipt of
your letter of the 18th inst, enclos-
ing pass over the Illinois Central
Railroad and its leased lines, l have
been considering the propriety Of ac-
eepting your kind favor In order,
however, to avoid any misconception
Of my motives in returning the pass
you sent, desire to say few words
in explanation. Ireprescn, the larg-
est and probahl y the wcalthiest con-
s,ituency Of the State, and certainly
the one most intimately connected
with tie operations Of your road.
With one accord, tue merchant, the
manufacturer, and the farmer, de-
rounce your rates of freight charges
"a in the highest degree oppressive
and unjust. in their discrimination
against Iowa interests Were you
personally aware Of the hardships en-.
durcd by the people here and along
the line of the Iowa Division .f your
road, the impulses of common justice
would have ere now impelIcd you to
put in operation system less unjust
and more productive Of mutual bene-
fit. As it is now, our merchants are
crippled, our manufactures linger-
ing out u sickly existence, our farm.
ers looking with fearful eyes upon
the products of their labor, lying al
most valuiess around them. Cur cit.
les arc retarded in their growth, and
every species Of enterprise for the
develorement Of Iowa 5 great natur-
al resources are nipped IN the bud.
through your discriminating policy.
And how, ask, can it be obviatcd?
You come to Cur State, travel to the
terminus Of your road, and take our
surplus products upon your own terms
terms fixed in Chicago. The Iowa
farmer or exporter has no voice in fix
ing the rates. In fact. he mas no
choice Of markets. lie must take
Chicago or none at all. This is not
just; it is an ex.ortion shat canno.
he long endured. But some pers ,ns
even in ounown State, either direct
ly or Indirectly interested in railroad
m"nopol;cs. even 60 so far as to as
sert that our only redress is in voluu-
tary concessions from railroads. 10
this legal proposition l cannot give
my assent. There is no rule either
in moral or political ethics. by which
the creature can be regarded as equal
to the creator. the subject to the SOW
creign. or chartered company to
the power tina; gave it corporate life.
Just reflect for moment up'n the
short ightedness of such theory.
A railroad company petitions the
Legislature Of Iowa for charter and
obtains it. No sooner is this COM
pany in working ordsr than it pre-.
tends to be independent Of the sovcr-
cign power of the State under whose
authority it exists. Tho idea. to my
mind. is absolutely preposterous. not
worthy Of moments consideration.
The company might as we'll include
in their petition the right to make
the laws. The people must look to
the Legislature Of the State. Fthat
honorable body inserposc its authori-
ty under the Constitution, upon the
common principle Of State welfare.
the causes Of these long standing
complaints will be a; once aud for
ever removed If the representa-
tives Of the people lend deaf ear
to the cries Of their constituents,
the State Of Iowa, that should be one
Of the proudest and most indcpend-
ent in tho Union. will stand in the
unenviable attitude Of CONC uered
province, paying forced tribute to
foreign power. / thank You very
much for your courtesy, but not be-
licvingin the wisdom Of extending
passcsto the people S representatives
during their term q Office, and being
DESTROYS of remaining wholly pntram-
meled in all respects during my on
cial term, l feel it my duty to decline
the proffcred favor. which I do with
great respect. and remain
Very truly yours.
NJ. Is. MUIxEAH.
State Senator Elect.