The union Democrat. [volume] (Sonora, Calif.) 1854-1946, 1871-02-11
MOI a side l.snc.

The discussion being carried on blythe press
Of this State, in regard TO the propriety Of
either political party incorporating in their
platforms, what is called an anti-railroad
plank, is attracting considerable attention
Those journals who are opposed to meeting
the railroad corporations fairly and s4uareiy,
in their grasping efforts fo- more land and
more money, deprecate such an issue being
brought into the canvass, asserting that ii is
merely 'sside issuen that has nothing to do
with the principles of the political organiza-
tons. We find Democratic Journals en- both
sides of the question. II seems to US that the
legislation that has been had for railroad cor
pcration purpose, together with the manner
in which these companies have acted toward
the people, contains a problem that must be
solved by the people at large. Legislatures
and ether official bodies that have bad power
by which they could aid corporations have
done so with liberal hand. There is no OBJ
lection to giving proper encouragement and
protection for the opening up of avenues fer
traffic that will be advantageous to the public
But to this system of giving from the public
purse. sufficient meanst to construct and put in
operation a railroad in which after compile
ton, the public or its agents can have no
voice in its regulation, or conduct, toward the
poblic that created it, We believe that an
overwhelming majority of our voters are op-
posed. The granting of aid to corporation
for the erection of works for the manufacture
of silk or sugar can be asked for with as
much reason as for railroads, yet private enter
prise has asked for no such favors for these
industries. Why should railroad companies
consider that they are entitled to the sub
stance of the people more than industries
that may be of great general benefit.
The truth is the people have been swindled
so much and so lorg that all kind Of combin-
atoms have been formed for the purpose of
working on this lead until further patience
cannot be expected. We differ with those
Democratic journals that claim this matter is
not of sufficient Importance to be put in issue.
1t must be apparent to every person of COM
mon understanding that the power of corpora
tions are rapidly growing stronger, and their
power is xerted'tyranically, to control legis-
lation in their behalf. Is it not in the inter-
est of and for the public good, that such re-
preventative officers should be elected as will
protect the rights of the people of the State,
against the encroachment of wealthy and ex-
acting corporations. In the United States
Senate when the bill to incorporate the Japan
Steam Navigation Company was before it on
Monday last Senator Davis said ''it seemed
to him that every ring in the United States
had representatives here asking charters"
and Senator Bayard remarked 'that the
noise of no State was so potent to-day in the
Congress of the United States as of these cor
pora:ions which had been created by the
breath of Congress itself. lie wished his
voice could reach the American people, that
they might be warned of the dark days in
store for them, if something was not done to
repress the growing influence of these great
monopolies.n The interests of the people
demand this issue shall be made; the Demo-
cracy of California cannot well avoid making
it, it is moro than ''side issue;" that party
cannot afford to protect monopolies. 1t is re-
quisite for success that policy should be de-
clared that is for the good of the whole and
against building up power that'may ultim-
ately oyershadow that of our government.
"HAIGur ORGANS The Placer Herald So