Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-04-08
Farmers' convention in Illinois.

Farmers Convention in Illinois.
A convention of the farmers
OF Illinois met at Springfield
representing three-fourths Of the
counties ia the state, to consider the
best means of redressing their griev-
ances from tie monopotes no "
prtying upon them. They were ad
dressed by Governor Beverage and
Ex,Goverr or Palmer. who promised
them ev,ry aid within the coRstltu>
tional Limits oftheir position.
The present warfare between the
peoI le of Illinois and the railroads.
is upon the question whether the
state law fixing the rate of passen-
ger fare at three cents per mile shall
be enforced, or whether the compa-
MES are superior to the law, and en-
titled TO collect tour or FIVE cents per
mile. Governor Palmer argued
against the decisions of the courts,
that the charters Of railways were
contracts between the people and the
corporations He gave his belief
that these charters were simply
grants of power to build the road,
and were subject to the control OF
the Legislature, and that the time
was soon coming when the courts
would so decide. He declared his
intention to faithfully discharge his
duties, ever consulting the interests
of the people,
The position held by the railroads,
that their charters authorize them
to fix their rates for fare aud freight
at any sum they choose, subject to
no interference from legislatures or
courts has roused on sgitation that
will not be allayed until the co nsti-
tuted authorities have removed The
cause of the trouble, The doctrine
of the companies as expressed in
brief, is that "the creature is greater
than the creator :" that is, that The
people by their Legislature have crea.
ted a power superior to itself and
must now be ruled by thing of its
own making On the contrary, the
opponents of high fares insist that
the creature is subject to the power
and direction of its creator, and that
the people must and shall have a
hand in the contract that regulates
the tariff. This was embodied in a
part of Mr.. Palmer's speech.
A long list of resolutions was pass
cd Of which the following is a sum
mary:
The safety of public institutions demands
that chartered monopolies be regulated by
Law, for history shows that where such con-
troll has been wanting, they, and espeeia lily
railroad corporations have pracTiced arbitrary
exiorti0ns, and been as much opposed TO tree
commerce and as despotic as the feudal Bar
ons.
This despoiIsm which defies our laws, plum
ders our shippers, iDpoverishes our people
and corrupts our government, shall be subdu-
ell and made to subserye the public interest, at
whatever cost.
The doc rine Of vested rights is me by the
doctrine that the State cannot create anything
il cannst control, and the Legislature is urged
to exercise its right and pass the laws neces-
ssry TO regulate the railroads.
There is no excuse for delay. as the recent
decision Of the Supreme Court has shown the
way in which unjust discrimination can be
met
The railroads should be made public high
ways, opep eGiinngg With each other through
out the State.
Railways should BE- required to carry all
the freights and passengers from the couniry
through which they pass, and not permitted
TO limit the amount of their business aud de-
stroy its natural industry.
Those who refuse 10 pay more than the le-
gal fare are sustained, and the State is urged
- assume their defense.
No legislator or public officer should accept
passes, and to do so should be made misde-
meanor.
AS the Illinois Constitution Of I848 prohib-
tied special charters, the validity of all rail-
road charters granted since that time is ques-
toned; and it is believed that under the last
CONSTITUTIONS its nearly every road in the State
has forfeited charter by issuing watered
stock, and the railway con mi, sioners are re-
quested 10 look into The matter.
The practice of legislators voting upon
questions in which they have direct pecuni-
airy interest is most reprehenslble.
Railways do not, but should, pay taxes in
proportion 10 the taxes paid by the citizens Of
the State.