Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-09-04

war. Last year it went further, an,
not only adopted the platform of it
enemies, but accepted as its nomine
for the highest Office in the gift of tn
people, its most relentless and bitteres
reyiler, a man who never in his Ion:
and eyentful life uttered one word O
sympathy with any of the distinctly,
doctrines of the Democratic party, un'
less in advocating the right of secession
This year they have, at all events, re-
turned to their first love, and have
nominated q ticket the Democracy OF
which no man will question. In theil
Convention not messenger, clerk OF
a candidate was tolerated who had ever
been tinctured with Republicanism.
The ticket is true blue. desire to say
of both Democratic candidates for Gov
ernor that they are men of undOubted
personal character and ability. Judge
Collins have known for many years,
and 1 respect him very highly. Mr..
Allen l have never seen, but twenty
or thirty years ago was q power in Ohio
and in the Nation-Once an aspirant
for the Presidency. 1 have no doubt he
is now a clear-headsd and worthy man.
OF his political opinions and influence
shall have more to say hereafter. He
is the representative of the worst ele-
ment of the Democratic party, and still
adheres to its heresies. That party, by
its ticket and its platform, publishes to
the world that it steadfastly holds on to
the dead past, gloats oyer the misdeeds
of other years, hugs the delusion which
have led to uniform disaster, and clings
to the old name. for better, for worse,
in sickness and in health, until death
shall part them. Nothing but over
defeat, conspicuous of crush
ing, will ever educate this wing Of the
party up to an appreciation Of the liv-
ing questions, the vital issues Of the
present day.
RAILROADS AND THE FARMERS.
There is widespread feeling existing
the West and Northwest
among the producing masses that rail-
road corporations, by the consolidation
of capital, by combinations of manage
ment and the Capitalization of authori-
ty, are exercising for their own adyan-
tage an undue and pernicious influence
upon the business interests of the coun-
try. This feeling is less prominent in
Ohio than in the great grain growing
States farther west, for the reason that
we are rapidly becoming a manufac-
turing State, that We are nearer the
great markets, and that we have sever
al competing lines of railroad leading
to the East. But there is dissatisfac-
ton among the people of Ohio.
From H. V. Poor's "Railroad Manual
for 1884, 1 gather the following sum-
mary of statistics, detailed statements
Of four hundred and twenty-five roads
being given in that work. In the Uni
ted States there are:
Miles of railway. 1898
Cost. =. 49, 50, l59, ,723 ,O57
Cost per mile 55,116
Gross receipts. =. ........ Alb, 41 ,0o5
Operating expenses. 49,. 3O7 ,4S6, ,6S2
Net earnings. 166, ,754, 1873
Dividends paid ..... G4,71S,151
"Total number of miles in operat ion,
81 ,1O4, of which G,427 were built last
year. Some made no returns, others
refuse information. The total earnings
are $11 900, 900 more than the receipts
in the United States Treasury, and the
net earnings $4s, 100000 more than the
interest account. The to-
tai cost is $9OO,OOO,OOO more than the
National debt. Thirty-three thousand
nine hundred and thirty-four miles have
been built since lS63.''
This statement is. startling, and indi-
Gates the power which by united effort
could be exerted in our State and ma
ton. 1t is well known that certain
great railroad combinations have for
years controlled the legislation of sew
eral States, in all matters affecting rail-
road property and the profits thereof
1t is feared that this influence is be-
coming more and more extended, and
more potent; and that, unless speedily
checked, it will endanger the perma-
nent welfare and prosperity of our
whole population. l confess l do not
share in the apprehension entertained
by some, that railroads and their Off
GERS, or any other aggregations OF
wealth and talent, are likely to subvert.
or materially endanger the liberties OF
our people. Injustice and exactiOn will
be tolerated until they reach a certain
point, and then the evil will be swept
away with relentless purpose and q
strong hand. In country and under
government like ours, the people are
patient of extortion and wrong, only
until it presses hard upon them; when
once aroused they throw off their bur-
dens with determination and vigor.
Railroads and the other corporations,
are the creatures of legislation, ,derivins :
their privileges from the people and re-
sponsible to the people that the rights
so acquired shall be used for the accom-.
mediation and benefit of the public. Tit
contract implied in grant to an accept.
ance of a charter by railroad corpora
ton is, that in return for special privi
leges it shall so use its authority as tt
promote the comfort, convenience and
material prosperity of the power thai
grants the charter, namely, the people
IT the railroad company seeks to violate
this agreement, it would be strange, in
deed, if there were no authority, any.
where, to restrict and control it. Tha
such power exists have no manner o
doubt. Our trouble has been, and i.
likely to be, not so much with loca
roads, having their termini within TIL
limits of single State, as with tn
through trunk lines, extending far acros
the country, and holding charters iron
a number of State Legislatures.
What is everybody's business is no
body's. As no one State can contro
the whole line, no one attempts to con
troll any part; and so the railroads do a
they please, without let or hinderance
In the first place, have no doubt tina
(,nnurasS uu6pr the authOritv tO repll