The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-03-24
Ghe 9ailg Argns.
Monday, March "a, 1873.
THE FARMERS.
Largo Meeting at PrineetOn---speeehes an
Resolutions---Freo Trade Sentiment

many persons Interested supposed IL % ]
be- delegate convention. The men as
scmbled were good representatives of their .
class strong, intelligent, and earnest in .
the advocacy Of what they deemed 10 be
right. Their talk before the meeting com
menced about the streets, and in the stores
and hotels, was only Of the hard times and /
the wrongs they were compelled TO suffer
at the hands of the railroad companies
G. f.. Barney, Vice President of the
District Association, called the meeting 10
order and read the call Capt K. Ford,
a prominent farmer Of Buda, was chosen
temporary Chairman, and Justus Stevens,
of Princeton, Secretary
DR. T.. Stetson, of Neponset, moved the
appointment Of Committee on Perma,
ncnt Organization. The Chair appointed
Dr. Stetson, Foster, of Macon iand Powers
of Mineral mn
Recess was taken until . O'Clock The
Convention met again &C that hour VT
Ford was chosen permanent PRESIDENT
and G. f.. Barney secretary.
The following gentlemen were appointed
a Committee On resolutions Campbell OF
Providence Bogart, Of Princeton Hills,
of I.amOille purr. of NopOuset and h.
smith. Of Nepousct. While the commit
tee was drafting the resolutions the con
ventinu was addressed by Milton j. Pc
tcr,. prominent lawyer formerly OF
Princeton, but now practlgiug IN Chicago,
The points that he made we're principally
LEGAL lie took the broad ground that il
WI, impossible Tor the farmers 70 obtain
Justice through the courts in any ease ~
which the railroads were contestants.
The number Of Judges ON the Supreme
bench could be altered at pleasure
When Lincoln was President it was raised
On nine When johnson was President II
was reduced to seven. and when Grant
wa. clcctcd o. the Presidential chair, the
number was again raised to nine Tn,
majority will iu every case vote against ID,
people Nothing ut all can he dom
against the eastern Judges, They ulway
vote for the railroad companies lin
hearers knew what Strong aud Bradlc.
would do Swaync. of Ohio. sympathze'
with capital although living So far west
Miller Of Iowa and Field Of California
sympathi1c with the people Davis lean
toward. the CAPITALISTS - does Clifford
of Maine Chief Justice Chase is triendl.
O.. fhr people Hunt of New York
might possibly come uu the side OF tn
people. The standing OF the Judges wa
recently shown hy % ease brought hy az
Ohio town that desired 10 show that IL
bonds had been illegally issued Blld
sett Of Chicago, inclines towards the capi
tafets The courts are likely 10 deeid
IN the future as they have decided in tn
past they are divided exactly accordiu
IN the States that loan money and III
States that mortgage Ia regard To- Ill
o ...s D tt. 81.
railroads have every advantage in q
court, They have the books and all Il
necessary means ut proving their side
the case. lie makes no difference VIII
the State courts decide The matter sin
p.y passes through them mp On the tour
Of the United states where a decision a.
verse ro the people Is certain. VI
Peters further said that the legislatu
had the same authority over the raj
r11d- that IL has over ferries. turnpike
tol.hridges and mills The power
regulate these public corporations h;
always been conceded ~ the lerislatur
and Il II l. not agreeable corporation
and individuals should not place thor
selves in this public position
Mr. : Vi. Smith, of kewanec follow
Nr Peters fle said railroad officials a
newspapers had mistaken the magultu
Ut the farmers movement He had
doubt the cause would go on gainI
strength day by day, and nothing won
distract the attention of arriculturi.
from It. lie had lost confidence in t
courts He did not believe that the pr
cnt law would be decided by the cou
In favor W the people In
gard IN unjust Determinations, the r,
roads have always the advantage, as h
been stated hy the gentleman who /
preceded him Mr. Smith remarks VI
attended and characterized by good d
Of candor In speaking Of the renal
of Nlr Harris before the legislative co
mittcc at Springfield, he said that althou
the railroad property IN the State was v
ucd nj $3.50 100000 there were paid
Ouly S24.Ouu,uuO The Chicago. Burlir
tom a Quincy road runs two miles thrnu
hi- school district and only pays taxes
10000 il pays only Sl.2OU on four nj
through tralya township for school a
State purposes Yet they say the r,
cost Sij.OOO % mile The cities. towns
counties between Gralesburg and Qui
have paid z 100000 in bonds for
building Of that road, which was the sa
~ the gitt Of 50 much money, the 81
having passed out Of their hands on
sale of the first mortgage bonds and II
Of them having the least title to
stock He had the word of an Aur
banker that an amount Of stock formt
worth 500 Is now worth $4,000.
The committee on resolutions rcpor
the usual declaration of principles. wit
few variations The preamble decla
a,tIr,.l. ..l.rat,.s- ..,
laws as they deem constitutional, are gu
of o gross and rebelious usurpation.
The first resolution afirm- that il is
hrst duty of the legislature to c-tabl
lust and reasonable freight aud passen
rates aud the second desires that obedic
p. enforced. The third says that {,
Bcveridge should be- reminded, by the
slant and defiant violation Of law by !
road corporations, through mob viole
and other means of cxtortion that the
prCmc executive power j. vested IN
Governor, who shall take care that the !
be- faithfully executed, and If he is uni
~ do 80 under present legislation, thai
is 10 be hoped that he will recomm
such Legislation as will enable him t,
his duty under the Constitution
\ resolution was also passed in res
90 the election OF Supreme Judge "
the term ofJudge Lawrence expires,wl
viii be- IN June next II requested thu
convention be- called in Princeton, A
~ elect delegates 10 the Nominal
Convention Of the Fifth Judicial Dist
Of Illinois, who should Use their influe
tu secure thc selection of q candidate
should reflect the sentiments Of the pee
in the supreme Court Of the State