The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-28
The Railroad Question I'm It's Eco.
n0mical and Political Bearings.


monopoly begins to have an influence and to
take shape in the politics of the country The
Iowa Republican State Convention, which
assembled on the 25th for the purpose Of
nominating candidates for Governor and
other officers took the subject up boldly.
Among the resolutions, mostly Of partisan
political character, passed unanimously by the
Convention was the following sResolved,
That the producing, commercial and indus
trial interests Of the country should have the
best and cheapest modes Of transportation
possible; and while actual capital in
vested in such means of transit, whether by
railroad OF otherwise, should be permitted the
right of reasonable remuneration, abuse in
their management excessive rates, oppressive
discrimination against localities, persons or
interests should be corrected by law, and we
demand Congressional and Legislative enact
! ments that will control and regulate the rail-
roads of the country, give to the people trans
portation at fair rates and protect them against
existing abuses" Then, again, in other reso-
lutions, referring to the mission Of the repub-
lican party, the Convention says, cit will now
be derelict to it's spirit and duty if it does not
protect all our people from all forms Of OPP
preston, whether by monopolies, centralized
capital, or Of whatsoever kind the
oppression may be' and, 'that we insist
upon the right and duty of the State to con-
troll every franchise of whatever kind it
grants" meaning the grants to capitalists and
corporations for making railroads or other
improvements, but declaring at the same time
that there is no wish to do injustice to those
who invest in such enterprises. It is worthy
of notice that the Convention, while avowing
its faith in the republican party, declares that
to carry out these views it is ''the duty OF
every republican to oppose the election of
bad man and incompetent official, whether he
be candidate upon our own or any other
ticket
Admitting there is some of the usual bun
combe in these resolutions which characterizes
those of political conventions generally, still
it is evident the republicans of Iowa are
awake to the issues that are looming up, and
that they intend to use them. Their State is
agricultural, more largely SO, perhaps, than
any other in proportion to population, and is
at greater distance from markets for its pro-
duce than many others Feeling, then, the
necessity of an outlet for their products,
which means cheaper transportation to the
seaboard, the people of Iowa have entered
heartily into the movements of the farmers
throughout the West against the railroad
monopoly and its high charges. Among the
farmers oranges and other cognate associa-
tons in the West for curbing and regulating
the railroad interests, which begin to count
their members by Millions Iowa has large
number. Though these combinations have
not had time to crystalline or show their
strength they are increasing, and must,
before long, become more united and effective.
The material interests of vast section of the
country must give direction to it's political
action. Cheap transportation, consequently,
being of primary Importance to the agricul-
tural West, the railroad question will neces-
sarily enter into the politics of that region.
How to solve it is the difficulty at present.
The people see, and indeed feel, the neces-
sity of doing something; but where to begin
or how to proceed is not so apparent. There
is the difficulty of invading invested or char
tered rights. Then the railroad power is
strongly fortified by capital and by its infu-
ence over public men, legislatures and the
judiciary. Nor is it clear to the reformers
whether they should go to the State govern
ments or the federal government for a remedy.
In their inchoate movements under this state
OF things the farmers organizations exhibit
some fear that the politicians or political par
ties may defeat their object while pretending
to favor it. But are they not Independent of
one or other of the old political parties? Can
they crystalline into power in the Republic
without doing so? The Iowa State Convention
has taken the initiative to bring them into the
republican organization. Will the democrats
bid higher or do better2 Or will these organi.
cations remain power in themselves? The
answer must be left to the future.
There are about seventy thousand miles Of
railroad in the United States. The railroad
mileage of the whole of Europe is not more.
We have, then, as great length of railroads
for our forty millions of people as Europe has
for three hundred millions. The cost has
been little less than three thousand mil
lions of dollars. Nearly all this vast work
has been done in thirty-three years, for
in 1910 there were only two thousand miles
of railroad. The earnings of our railroads
exceed four hundred millions of dollars year.
1t is said eight thousand five hundred addi-
tional miles will be completed this year; and
that there are thirty-five thousand miles more
in various stages of progress or preparation
and what will there be in the near future--in
the course of twenty years, or even ten years?
Well, do the multiplication and extension Of
railroads tend to cheaper transportation?
Undoubtedly they do but not to the extent
they might if the roads were properly con-