The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-06-12

Of transferring freight at our principal inland and
seaboard cities. We find, moreover, that rates
charged by transportation companies are exorbi.
proSiSRoly in cS
T. i Ferguson ssss have Tia. posi-
sss 70 q grain oe
the statistics show tat during the isst i've year:
for ss ,n n.ss dm
Louis, or from three to i've times the necessary
cost. The rates by water, whilst considerably
lower, still much above the necessary cost and
In the northern part Of the country are not opera
ton during the winter season The charges Of eleva-
tors and 2lher warshansss have at many points been
plenty, the producer knds the price Of hs products
seasons Of scarcity the consumer must pay un-
ssss Of e Not only ill., but inasmucs s a. The
seahoard prices except in cities Of local scarcity
~ the producers prices at his own locality, the re-
home. with an immense region Of wheat and
other grain growing country opening up in the
terests threaten to be greatly aggravated and in
creased in the future We may add that the unjust
discrimination Of railroad corporations have sg-
6AovosCU OuV 4uttubluCU Culb eVH observation-disclosures
are unduly exciting and building up the prosperity
ing that Of other points Real estate is deprecst:
the country is even becoming depopaiated BY
reason Of unjust Determinations. In view Of these
facts your Committee believe that due encourage
and the improvement Of the old ones, 30 as to
furnish transportation at cheap rates between
all parts Of the republic. Among these
we wo Sch CAL attention to the follow
seen to have more or less merit: The Niagara
Ship Canal; the Caughnawaga 4 Champlain Canal
River Canal, Of Wisconsin; the james River and
Kanawha through water line; the Illinois b Michi-
gan Canal and the Illinois River improvement; the
Atlantic tic Great Western Canal and the Mss
The Southern Pacific and Northern Pacific Rail:
roads are already aided BY grants Of lands, and
believe Wi, Be- Important means Of relieving the
scheme Of the Eastern 3 western Transportation
t1oa ro ase Ro% ss aas's to
vestigation Of the merits Of the narrow-gauge
and operation than the existing railways Of freight
tracks or railways adapted especially to cheap
transportation, and Of tram railways laid upon the
conn highways Of the country, which We be:
macadamized roads. We recommend that efforts
be made and persevered in until all railway cor
pUISIlOuH sUAu US subject 10 fcgul8uOn OF tQe
General and State Governments 60 AZ to insure the
absolute and perpetual prohibition and prevention
Of extorionate charges and unjust Determinations.
we re recommend that all men WHO believe the rights
tortions and determinations Of transportation mo-
nopoliee should unite in reforming the Executive,
M.ena and and t s9sta Of our
therefrom the progrietors and servants Of
such monopolies. We deprecate finally, the
practice Of the Executive, Judicial and Legislative
in 3nv fpOn ion
corporations, whose interests are more OF less in
conflict with those Of the people whom such officers
were elected to serve.
The following resolutions were presented:
WHEREAS, We recognize the railroads Of the
country as an effective means Of developing its ag-
common and inseparabie with the Country through
wHEsE4s. We have in times past fostered and
made by public and private parties, and still desire
to encourage further development Of the railway
system; therefore,
suggest that corporations having q common inter-
to eubserve the interests Of the country through
and BY tie p equitable and Just treatment Of ali
points along their lines.
Reso'ced. That, on the contrary, railroad cor
IN their Charges. have discriminst.a uniustly be
tween localities, and have failed to respond TO the
generous grants Of power and moneys that have
been given them by our national and local Govern
Resosred, That the system adopted and now
praciced in the building Of railroads. the solicit
ing Of stock subscriptions from individuals, cor
porations and counties. and after receiving these
subsidies to deprees the value Of said stock by
forcing it upon the market and depressing its
value to such an extent as to enable . few
thereby depriving those who aided in its con-
struction OF all voice in its management. in
creasing it, cost four or i've times above
In the outset had had the foresight to have had the
funds on hand at the start to build and equip the
road. then requiring the producer and shipper to
excessive freight and passenger tariffs, operates
moe: injurousy to the best interests Of the farming
case and calls loudly for reform and restraint By
Resolred. That we recommend all farmers to
withhold their votes and their aid from railway
corporations unless 1t be fully conceded that cor
power incorporating them, and will not, after
receiving the advantages conferred by public
authority claim the immnnities Of private corpora
ton.
Resolued, That we fndorse, and will support, the
doctrine promulgated by come Of our courts. that
railway corporation receiving and exercising the
raised by taxation from public authorities, has
thereby accepted and admitted itself to be corpo
ration with public function and subject to the
power from which It has received Its charter in the
ResolUed, That railway being practically mon
opoly, controlling the transportation Of nearly all
the country through which It passes, and that COM
to tx rates. that therefore 1t becomes the duty Of
the State to hx reasonable and medium rates, a.
fording fair remuneration to the transporters and
without being an onerous charge to the producer
Resolued, That inasmuch as Belgium has succeed
ed in regulating the rates upon railways by Gov
eminent lines we ask an investigation Of the propo
sion to control the rates upon existing railways by
trunk lines, and controlled by the State authorities,
and run at uniform and cheap rates.
Of railways is contrary to public policy and should
be prohibited by law.
Resolusd, That whenever railroad corporation
states it Is the right and duty Of the General Gov
eminent to regulate the rates Of freight and fare
upon such lines under the constitutional power to
see Ths We or
ganization OF local, county, and State Organiza-
lions for the purpose Of reforming these great
abuses, and dealing equal and exact justice to all
men.
Considerable discussion of the report en-
sued, when it was recommitted to the Com
mittee, and returned with amendments strik-
ing out the estimate of Quincy and Ferguson,
and making the paragraph referring to Legis-
lative control read as follows: RAILWAY cor
porations shall be subject to Legislative
control, so as" etc,
A1ter lengthy 0lscussiOn tne EepWt as
amended was adopted.
The Committee also recommended the adj
option of resolution endorsing the James
River and Kanawha Canal in connection with
the improvement of the Ohio and Kanawha
Rivers, and requesting Congress to make ap-
preparations therefor. The resolutions pre-
sented and recommended by the Committee
were then unanimously adopted.
The following officers were elected for the
Rnaninr wear. Prpnidonf-W n .Iacksnn- OF
Tennessee. Vice Presidents-D. Spur, Of
Kentucky; A. Boyd, Of Pennsylvania; Cover
nor r. w. Furness, Nebraska; General Mere
aith, Indiana; w. Lawton. South Carolina; A.