New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-23

the anti-monopoly party should one be formed. The
farmers will look upon every man who places the
success Of his party before honest reform as an
enemy. ..
CHICAGO ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADS.
The railroads of the State viii find another ally
and one by no means TO be desplsed III the city Oh
Chicago While the railroad managers of Illinois
have, as general thing, paid very little attention
to the farmers interest convenience in fixing their
rates for freight and passenger transportation, they
have been bending every effort. first, to get as much
money for themselves possible; and, secondly to
promote the business OF Chicago. Every discrlm-
mating tariff by which freiGhts have been turned
aside from their natural course and taken from
East st. Louis, Cairo, and the numerous railway
functions of the State, to Chicago, at unreasonably
oIy rates. while people living at non-competing
noints have been as greatly overcharged, has helped
Ia enrich Chicago, while 1t has impoverished
tbe majority of the producers. The farmers OF
Illinois don't care much whether Chicago or 81.
Ious is the larger city, but they do object 10 having
the priee of their corn reduced five cents on bushel
in order that Chicago warehousemen and grain
specnlators may make profit OF from SIX 10 ten
cents ON corn that should have been shipped directly
Fast from Cairo East st. Louis, Decatur, Spring
field. Bloomington, Peoria, and other points where
the Eastern roads cross those running to chicago
Cook County may be expected, therefore, TO go into
the next Legislature with its delegation no matter
what their politics may be, almost sohd score OF
men against any law that like the present one,
turns trade away from Chicago.
RITTER FIGHT EXPECTED IN THE LEGISLATURE.
All of the counties that have been reaping the
benefits of competition viii be the allies of the
railroads-and as they are the most populous they
send the largest and most influential delegations to
tbe Legislature Until this year the Railroad law
in Illinois was never observed by the transportation
companies and many representatives from the
large towns where there are competing lines Oh
road saw nc harm in going with the popular wave
and voting in favor of controlling the rallroads'
Now when the effect upon the business OF theH
constituents is seen, they viii be found almost
unanimously on the other side. The people OF
tbese favored counties complain that it is
,rrsosonable To enact that there shall be no dis
elimination in their favor since they have paid for
il and are continuing to pay for 1t year after year.
There is probably not a single county which mas en-
loved the benefit of competition that has not Issued
to the railroad companies large amounts OF pohus
on which they are still paying interest 1hey WIN
be more oppressed than any other class H. III addi-
ton TO the burdens they have thus assumed they
must be charged much for their freights as tnose
counties that have assisted only one Ioau anu gwen
it very little assistance at that ...
The cement that will unite all OF these elements
of oppostion TO the farmer win be self interest ana
the power of aggregated capital. How poten' TINS
will he need not attempt to show; 1t will indeed
be no holiday job for the farmers to meet and con-
quer it. suppose that an attempt Will be MADE
during the coming Winter to repeal or amend the
present railroad law. 1t may be successful but the
attack upon it will be of most determined eharae-
ter and. if necessary, there is no doubt that the
strongest of all arguments with recent legislatures
-money-will be freely used. think the law VIII
survive, but only to be again assalled IN the courts
where, Just now it seems to me 1t is III greater Jan
,or tban in the General Assembly.