Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1873-04-11
Resolutions of the Illinois Farmers
Convention.

THE following resolutions were adopted
at the first days session of the recent Hi
nois Farmers State Convention: a1
Resolved By the farmers of Illinois in mass meet
ing assembled, that all chartered monopolies not
regulated controlled by law have proved in that
respect detrimental to the public prosperity, cor
rupting in their management, and dangerous to re-
publican institutions
q The railways of the world, except in those
countries where they have been held under the
strict regulation and supervision Of the Govern
ment, have practiced arbitrary extortions, and as
| much opposed to free institutions and free COM
merce between States as were the feudal barons OF
5. That we hold, declare and resolve that this
| despotism, which defes our laws, plumbers our
shippers mpoverishes our people, and corrupts our
| Government, shall be subdued and made to sub
serve the public interest at whatever cost.
4. That we believe the State did not and could
not confer any of its sovereign power upon any cor
poratiOn, and that now is the most favorable time
to settle the question, that it may never be here
after misunderstood that a State cannot create a
corporation it cannot thereafter control. ". "a
s. That, in view of the present extortons, we
look with alarm upon the future of an interest
which can combine in the hands Of few men a
capital of nearly $25O0O0,000 in our own State to
$4,000 000 900 in our Union; and we believe it es-
sental to the prosperity of all classes that this con-
test continue until those corporations acknowledge
the supremacy of law.
g. That we regard il as the undoubted power and
the imperative duty of the Legislature, to pass laws
fixing reasonable maximum rates for freight and
pdSSSuSCIo. WllllUuG CidSSluCduOu VI lOouSs bLu
that we urge upon our General Assembly the pas
sage of such laws.
T. That the existing statute providing for clas-
sifcatiOn of railways, with view to adjusting q
tariff of charges according to gross amount Of
earnings, is delusion and snare, and is so framed
that the railways are able to classify themselves,
and that it ought to be carefully modified or re-
s. That inasmuch as the Supreme Court has
clearly pointed out the way to reach unjust dis
examinations made by railways of this State, we
can see reason for delay the part of the Legs
islature III enacting the necessary laws on the sub
ect, and we urge immediate action thereon.
9. That we urge the passage OF bill enforcing
the principle that railways are public highways
and requiring the railways to make actual connec-
tions with all roads whose tracks meet and cross
their Own and to receive and transmit all cars and
trains offered over their roads at reasonable maxi
mum rates, whether offered at such crossings or at
stations along their roads, and empowering the
making of connections by municipal cooperation
for that purpose and for the public use.
TO- That we heartily indorse the action OF the
General Assembly looking to the enforcement OF
the performance of their duties by monopolies as
common carriers, and that in addition thereto we
believe that the railways should be required to
carry all the freights and passengers offered from
the country through which they pass, and not per
mitted to limit the amount of their business and
destroy its natural industry.
H. That the Constitution and laws of Illinois are
as binding upon the railway corporations as upon
the citizens, and that the State must require obedi
ence to the law from all alike, whether the same
be deemed constitutional or not by the parties
tiOnal
IL. That we indorse most fully the action Of
those who tender legal rates of fare npon the rail-
ways and refuse to pay and that it is the duty
of the Legislature to provide by law for the defence
by the State of all suits commenced or that nereaf-
ter NAV be commenced by railway companies
against individuals who have insisted or herea1ter
may insist upon the right to ride on railways at le
gal rates. - .
13. That the presentation of railway passes to
our LEGISLATORS, whatever may be the spirit and In
tent with which they are accepted, is demorahzlng
in its influence and look to our Legislature now
in session. to rise above all personal considerations
of pecuniary interest convenience, and to pass
law that members of the Legislature receive no pay
when absent from duty; and making it misde-
meanor for any Senator or Representative or other
State or county officers to accept any railway pass
knowing as we do that the people look upon the
acceptance of these passes with decided and al
most universal disapprobation
WHEREAS, The Constitution of 1S40, Article ten,
prohibits the Legislature from granting special rail-
way charters in the following words: Corpora
tons not possessing banking powers or privileges
nay be formed under the general law, but shall
not be created by special acts except for municipal
purposes, and in cases where, in the Judgment of
the General Assembly, the objects of the corpora
tions cannot be attained under general laws -
therefore,
Resot0ed, That it is extremely doubtful whether
any railway charter granted since April l. 1848 by
the Legislature of Illinois is of any validity, and
that the vested rights of railway mOnopoles in this