Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1871-02-16

Stuic III tI'e Pcopic " Deglu ~ tulHh
Of who shall be chosen for our of
ficers Mt the coming election, and as
we are to select one to represent us
in the Legislature OF our State, 1T
would hardly be amiss for US to dis
cuss, with tbs Editors permission,
some Of the topics interesting us
generally; and let me first say, that
we, as an agricultural people, are
contending with formidable railroad
corporations, which seem to have
enough of our law makers under
their thumb, TO make us dance when
they whistle, and, Tor The purpose OF
bringing my thoughts fairly before
the people, let us, Tor moment. look
at the most glazing and prominent
portions Of our history with relation
10 this subject, as far as it has ever
presented itself before the people of
this county to my knowledge and,
let us, ii possible, determine what is
our remedy. Some few years ago,
when the good people OF Toledo
township were in caucus assembled
in the old Court House, apoor, dirty
looking mechanic had the audacity
to introduce resolution, for the
consideration Of that august body.
something like THIS 'Rcsolvcd, that
our delegates to the county conven.
ton be instructed not to cast their
vote for any one, who will, while a
representative of this people, receive
donation in shape OF pass on a
railroad or any other kind Of gift. !"
The poor fellow no doubt thought
that if srch a resolution passed and
was acted unon in the convention,
thereby giving him who may be our
representative to understand, that
the citizens look with a jealous eye
on all persons who have not moral
courage enough to refuse donations
which may be showed into their
pockets, when acting in an official
capacity, well knowing, that it is
easier 10 act biased after receiving
such gifts. as it would be. If, when
offered they were hurled back into
the teeth Of The demon who was
sntfic emily polluted to offer TO donate
to representatives railroad passes at
the expense of the bone and sineu of
the country, the industrious, hard
working farmer an laborcr. After
reading the resolution before referred
to, the leading portion OF ,hat eau
Gus came down upon it AMI its auth
or with such vengeance that 1t was
forthwith tabled, and on the next
day after the county convention this
mechanic was threatened with per-
sonal violence tor having had the
impudance, to introduce that often
size document, AMI being personally
Acquainted with the circumstances and
action Of tho caucus concerning this
resolution, and also capable Of judg-
ing with what innocent motives it
was presented and the violence of.
terea, at that time avowed, silently
but cesolutely never TO cease advo-
eating and urging upon the people OF
this county the absolute necessity of
.!iscar1inr all men Of office. which
do net possess that sterling integrity
and manhood Of resisting tempta-
tons 50 numcrously offered while
acting in public positions, not for a
moment to think of or entertain the
idea Of sending such q man to help
to make our laws. Is it not true, at
least it is SO reported, that freight
from Council Bluffs to Chicago is
$50 per car or ,hcreahouts why have
We to pay $50 OF SIS from Tama
City? Is it not apparant that our
law makers fail to do their duty Or
IS there no remedy? | wonder
whether the railroad company loses
anything by presenting railroad pass
es TO those who pull the reins OF
government. Can we set by and
keep still to be mulched in that kind
OF style? Are we not now pressed
under 90 to 30 per cent, interest on
what we owe TO some in whose pow
or it has been to relieve Ms from the
over grasping hands of railroad cor
poralions having no souls: Wonld
not the money which we have been
compelled TO pay 10 the railroad
companies to take our produce to
market over and above what IL Is
reasonably worth have paid the
debts, or q COOL portion Of them,
under which we are now grooming
and thereby saved the 30 per cent
but, fellow neighhors, do Mt yol see
the double cut? Free railroad pass
es to lau making officials make high
freight ,arlifs-high freight tariffs
make the farmer pay large sums TO
get their produce to, and goods from
market farmers having to pay high
for freight to and from market makes
them fail, to certain extent, to pay
their dch,s-iailing TO pay their
debts, aud law makers generally be.
ING men financially able, make the
farmers nav them all the WAY from