The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1873-04-04


fies our laws, plumbers our shippers, i'm.
povershes our people and corrupts our
| government, shall be subducd, and made
to subsetve the pablo interest at what
| ever cost.
Resolved, That we believe the state did
not, and could not confer any of its sover-
eign power upon any corporation and that
now ia the most favorable time to settle
the question, so that it may never be here
after misunderstood, that a state cannot
create q corporation that 1t cannot there.
| after control.
Resolved, That in view Of tho present
eatortions, we look with alarm on the fu-
ture of an interest which can combine in
the hands of few men capital of nearly
100000 In our own state and s., 000,-
Ooo, 900 in our union, and We believe it es.
sential to the prosperity Of all classes that
this contest continue until these
corporations acknowledge the supremacy
of law.
Resolved, Tha, We regsrd IL as the un.
doubted power and the imperative duty Of
the legislature TO pass laws fixing reasona-
BILE rates for freight and passengers with
out classification of roads, and that we
urge on our general assembly the passage
of such laws.
Resolved That the existing statute pro.
viding for o assiicatiOn of railroads with
view TO adjusting tariff of charges
according TO the gross earnings 10 a de-
fusion and q snare, and is so framed that
the railroads arc able 20 classify them
selves, and that 1t ought to be carefully
modified or repealed
Resolved, That inasmuch as the sn.
no. oil Al
way 10 reach unjust determinations made
by the railroads OF this state, we can see no
reason for delay on the part of the legis-
laturc in enacting the necessary laws of
this subject, and we urge immediate &C.
ton thereon.
Resolved, That We urge the passage of
roads to make actual connection with
roads whose tracks reach and cross their
own, and TO receive and transmit all cars
and trains offered over their roads nj ren-
Sensible maximum rates, whether offered
such crossing or at stations along their
roads, and empowering the making of con-
necticns by municipal corporations for
that purpose and for the public use.
Resolved, That wo heartily indorse
the action of the general assembly looking
TO the enforcement of the performance Of
their duties by monopolies rs common
carriers, and that, in addition thereto, we
believe that railroads should DO required
to carry all freight and passengers offered
ffcm the country through which they
pass, and not be permitted to limit the
amount Of their business and destroy its
natural increase.
Resolved, That the constitution and
laws of Illinois are binding upon railroad
corporations as upon the citizens, and that
the state must require obedience to the
laws from all alike, whether tho same be
deemed constitutional or not by the par
ties affected, until repealed or declared
unconstitutional.
Resolved, That we indorse most fully
the action Of those who tender legal rates
of fare upon the railroads and refuse to
pay more, and that IL is the duty of the
legislature to provide by law for tho dc.
Tense by the state Of all suits commenced
or that hereafter may be commenced 10y
railroad companies against individuals,
who in good faith have insisted or here
after may insist upon the right to ride on
railroads at legal rates.
| Resolved, That the presentation Of
railroad passes to our legislatures, what
ever may DO tho spirit and intent with
which they are accepted, are demoralizing
| in influence, and we look to our legisla-
ture now in session to rise above all per-
sonal considerations Of pecuniary interest
or convenience, and to pass a law making
it II misdemeanor for any'senator or repre-
sentative, or other state or county officers,
or any person to accept any railroad psss,
knowing as We do, that the people look
look upon the acceptance Of the
passes with decided and almost universal
disspprobation. Whereas, the constitu-
ton Of lS4s, article ten, prohibits tho leg
islaturc from granting special railroad
charters in the following words; Copora-
tions not possessing banking power or
privileges may be formed under general
laws, but shall not DO created by special
acts, except for municipal purposes and in
cases wherein tho judgment Of tho general
assembly, the objects of the corporations
cannot be attained under general laws
therefore,
Resolved, That ii is extremely doubtful
whether any railroad charter granted
since April l, ls4s, by the legislature Of
Illinois, is q any validity, and that the
vested rights of railroad monopolies il
this state exist only by assumption Of tho
monopolst and the suffrsnce of the peo
pie.
And whereas, the constitution of 1870
article 4, section IS, prohibits any rail
road company from issuing national stock
in these words; mo railroad corporation
shall issue any stock or bonds, except fol
money, labor or property actually re
ceived and applied TO the purposes fol
which such corporation was crepted, anC
all stock, dividends and other facilities fol
increase Of the capital stock or indebted
ness Of any such corporation, shall be void
The capital stock of no railroad corpora
ton shall be increased for no purpose, ex
cept upon giving sixty days public notice
in such manner as may be modified By
law
And whereas, this article OF the consti
tuition has probably been violated by
nearly all the railroad companies in thu
state; therefore,
Resolved, That it is the duty Of tn,
railroad commissioners TO look CAREFUL,
into this matter and 70 commence proceed
ings in al, clear cases against all railroad
companies which have disregarded tbi
important provision Of the original Law
OF the state.
Resolved, That we demand OF congress
q repeal Of all laws preventing the compe
tition Of all vessels which may choose 4
engage in tho carrying trade in our in
land between ports in the United State
without regard to nationality.
Resolved, That We are in favor of tn
immediate repeal of the protective dutie
on iron, steel, lumber and all material
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