, 1873-05-25
competition will hasten on our musical millen'
Mum. ,> T. j.. =; =:


system. The evils OF that system are 80 appaF
rent that it is almost unnecessary to mention
them, and yet, when the railway officials have
the remedy in their own hands, it is extremely
doubtful whether they will have the courage to
apply it, although they arc unanimously agreed
that it should be done. In one direction, how
ever, they havo made progress. 4 correspond
ent writes: "Hitherto the railroad companies
have carried visitors to and from the stats fairs
at greatly reduced rates. Articles intended for
exhibition ha7e been transported free. This
| generous policy has been abandoned. The CON-
panies have decided to exact full tariff rates in
future. They avow willingness to- obige the
societies, but claim that to favor them would
discriminate against regular travellers. The
same reply has been given to applicants on be-
hah Of political conventions The State Repub-
lean Convention Of Iowa received the first re-
fuaaL Religious societies are treated in the
same manner. There is no discrimination" :"
This is q long step forward in rail
1oad reform, since there is no good
reason why politicians, ministers, or any other
travail at lower fares than people on the same
train attending to their ordinary business. In
other words, the roads have no right to dis
criminate against regular travellers. But, having
reached this position, it is strange that they do
not SEQ that tho free pass is q still worse dis
elimination. II 4 rides free On 9 railroad, B
has to suffer for it, and whore any considerable
percentage Of travel is g1atuitous, the burden
upon the rest is 1n onerous one..
Transportation is as much matter OF
consumption as anything elso in the market.
The recipients Of railroad passes do not get
their clothing free or their flour free; why
should they get their railroad travel free7
What legitimate equivalent do they render to
Offset this favor? What right has railroad
company to impose tax upon freight in order
to offset the decrease in passenger receipts
caused by the granting Of free paasos2 The
President Of the Union Pacific Road said
in . recent conversation that the grant
ing Of passes was u 1oss OF hundreds
OF thousands Of dollars yearly to- that
road, and this has led to the abolition Of tho
system. The came is true Of every road IN pro-
portionato degree, and it is greatly to be ro--
GREETED that they do not follow the action Of the
Union Pacific. Another strong point against the
pass-system is tho fact that the discrimination
is in favor Of class who can afford to pay their
fares. Tho bcggars for passes arc Congressman,
State legislators, merchants, capitalists,
editors, and others who have no, need
Of them. Poor men don't got passes;
it is the wealthy and: influential only
who arc able to procure such favors,
and they arc just the ones who do not need
them. The middle classes and the poor are TO-:
day supporting the passenger business Of the
railroads in this country. It Is = system, more
over, which cannot be used without being
abused. Sharp as the railroad officials may
fancy themselves, hundreds Of passengers are
riding every day whohave no right to, and passes
are hawked about from hand to hand, notwiih-
standing the announcements on their backs that
they are not transferable. It is an injustice not
only to the railroads, but to the entire class Of
travellers who are compelled to pay their fares,
and the railroad companies are not doing their
duty by their stockholders. or by the community
in general, so long IS they refuse to check the
evil The application Of the remedy should be j..
made universal No man can show any
good reason why he should travel free,
any moro than he can, show q good
reason why ho should 60 to tai1or's
and get asuit Of clothes free. As long as the
railroad can furnish him IN equivalent for bis
money, ho should pay for it, no matter who he
may be, OF how high in station. There should
be no exceptions, not even among railroad men,
II an agent Of the Burlington Road travels upon
the Illinois Central Road, he should pay bis fare,
and uioe uersa. All shou1d be brought to the
same standard. '...:-.
The result Of this would be not only great
increase in the receipts Of the roads, but the
public and the roads would speedily come to =.
mutual understanding. They would be mutual
II independent OF each other in matters Hhere
Independence is desirable. Tho roads wou1d bo
more free to act, and more likely to act, in the:
interests Of the people than they arc now. The
e"0Ae "o"o W a"uanteu oecauso the Toada
would be more a1nenable to criticism than they
are now. Standing Upon the same footing, thepub.
lie could demand itsrights w1,rt preiudice. and
the railroads could demand their rign.- and nh
tain them. The acceptance OF free pass nece@.,
sarily nvolyesa prejudice, il nothing worse, IN /
favor Of the road which grants it. The receiver
has no other equivalent which he can render,
and tho time will come sooner or Inter when he
must perform the service for which the /
pass was given. As. long as Congress;
men and State legislators have their
pockets full OF rairoad- passes, it is
impossible to completely break up railroad cor
ruptions OF do away with the burdensome e1ao:
tons Of passenger fares and freight tar1hs,
which fall upon those who cannot afford to pay
them, but rho are compelled to- pay them in:
order really that rich and influential men may